


Long Distance Relationship | Accessibility | Social Impact
Pocket Pad
Pocket Pad
Pocket Pad
Facilitating emotional and casual interactions between working adults and their aging parents to produce mutual feelings of support and encouragement.
Facilitating emotional and casual interactions between working adults and their aging parents to produce mutual feelings of support and encouragement.
Facilitating emotional and casual interactions between working adults and their aging parents to produce mutual feelings of support and encouragement.
Overview
Overview
Working adults and aging parents struggle to maintain deep and emotional connections due to time constraints and technological barriers. The Pocket Pad addresses this gap with a two-device system that helps tech-challenged parents stay connected with their busy children to reduce loneliness while accommodating demanding schedules.
Working adults and aging parents struggle to maintain deep and emotional connections due to time constraints and technological barriers. The Pocket Pad addresses this gap with a two-device system that helps tech-challenged parents stay connected with their busy children to reduce loneliness while accommodating demanding schedules.
My Role & Impact
I independently designed the prototype for the iPhone widget extension, from low to high fidelity, enhancing the overall usability and contributing components to the design system.
I independently designed the prototype for the iPhone widget extension, from low to high fidelity, enhancing the overall usability and contributing components to the design system.
Widget, Hardware Device
Passion Project
Contribution
User Research
Ideation & Storyboarding
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability Testing
Motion Design
Designers
Yuri Kawada
Gily Yu
Yit Chung
Yechan Choi
Tools
FigJam
Figma
Timeline
10 weeks
Solution
A hardware-software integrated communication product designed for both working adults and their parents, allowing users to interact in a personal way, fostering closer connections.
A hardware-software integrated communication product designed for both working adults and their parents, allowing users to interact in a personal way, fostering closer connections.



Discover
How can we facilitate interactions between working adults and their aging parents?
How can we facilitate interactions between working adults and their aging parents?
We narrowed our broad problem scope through secondary research, surveys, and user interviews to ensure potential market direction.
We narrowed our broad problem scope through secondary research, surveys, and user interviews to ensure potential market direction.
Explore the research
Explore the research
Explore the research
Discover
Synthesizing our research findings
Synthesizing our research findings
Following our user research, we were able to cross-reference the insights to validate a well-rounded understanding of both user groups.
Following our user research, we were able to cross-reference the insights to validate a well-rounded understanding of both user groups.
01. Reciprocity and Graditude
Working adults feel a responsibility to give back to their parents and value opportunities to give authentic interactions that offer comfort.
02. Reassurance
Parents appreciate genuine updates about their life that go beyond short responses.
03. Yearning for Closeness
Both parents and children yearn for closeness, but working adults find it difficult or awkward to initiate conversations.
04. Convenience and Familiarity
Working adults prefer quick solutions that fit seamlessly into their busy schedules while parents prefer communication through familiar platforms.
Define
Defining our design question & user stories of 2 key stakeholders…
Defining our design question & user stories of 2 key stakeholders…
How might we facilitate emotional and casual interactions between working adults and their aging parents, enabling them to enjoy shared activities that foster mutual support and encouragement?
How might we facilitate emotional and casual interactions between working adults and their aging parents, enabling them to enjoy shared activities that foster mutual support and encouragement?

Amy, 35
As a dentist and soon-to-be mother, I want to connect meaningfully with my parents so I can strengthen our relationship, share experiences, and build traditions without scheduled calls.

Alex, 25
As a Social Media Coordinator living alone, I want stress-free conversations with my parents so I can maintain a supportive connection, stay updated, and share activities from afar.

Agnes, 78
As a retired teacher, I want to stay connected with my children so I can feel closer and maintain a sense of closeness despite the distance.
Develop
Establishing our design goals
Establishing our design goals
Deriving from our research, we set characteristics and requirements that our solution could provide for working adults and their parents before diving into our ideation and sketching phase.
Deriving from our research, we set characteristics and requirements that our solution could provide for working adults and their parents before diving into our ideation and sketching phase.

Parents
Low-tech accessibility
Instant gratification
Different sensory experience
See in detail

Parents
Low-tech accessibility
Instant gratification
Different sensory experience
See in detail

Parents
Low-tech accessibility
Instant gratification
Different sensory experience
See in detail


Shared Goals
Authentic interactions
Parent-Child support system
Personalization and activity sharing
Passive connection and shared presence
See in detail


Shared Goals
Authentic interactions
Parent-Child support system
Personalization and activity sharing
Passive connection and shared presence
See in detail


Shared Goals
Authentic interactions
Parent-Child support system
Personalization and activity sharing
Passive connection and shared presence
See in detail

Working Adults
Casual conversations
Tech-savvy children
Low-effort solution
See in detail

Working Adults
Casual conversations
Tech-savvy children
Low-effort solution
See in detail

Working Adults
Casual conversations
Tech-savvy children
Low-effort solution
See in detail
Develop
Utilizing the Crazy 6 method for Ideation and Sketching
Utilizing the Crazy 6 method for Ideation and Sketching



After discussing the feasibility of each idea…
After discussing the feasibility of each idea…
As international students separated from our families, we developed the Pocket Note to foster meaningful emotional connections between working adults and parents.
As international students separated from our families, we developed the Pocket Note to foster meaningful emotional connections between working adults and parents.



Develop
Visualizing our user experience
Visualizing our user experience
This user flow combines the 3 user flows we made before iterating and creating the final design.
This user flow combines the 3 user flows we made before iterating and creating the final design.



Develop
Key features in the Pocket Pad
Key features in the Pocket Pad
We highlighted the Pocket Pad’s core features to ensure a meaningful experience for both aging parents and tech-savvy working adults, focusing on simplicity and accessibility.
We highlighted the Pocket Pad’s core features to ensure a meaningful experience for both aging parents and tech-savvy working adults, focusing on simplicity and accessibility.

Pocket Pad for Parents
Lightweight and Simple Features
Accessible Design for Parents

Pocket Pad for Parents
Lightweight and Simple Features
Accessible Design for Parents

Pocket Pad for Parents
Lightweight and Simple Features
Accessible Design for Parents


Shared Features
Handwritten Message Function
Prompt Suggestions
Signal Notification through Pocket Pen


Shared Features
Handwritten Message Function
Prompt Suggestions
Signal Notification through Pocket Pen


Shared Features
Handwritten Message Function
Prompt Suggestions
Signal Notification through Pocket Pen

Pocket Pad for Working Children
Widget Design on iPhone

Pocket Pad for Working Children
Widget Design on iPhone

Pocket Pad for Working Children
Widget Design on iPhone
Design
Usability Testing our Low-Fidelity
Usability Testing our Low-Fidelity
Users were confused about the “Send to” screen, which only appeared after writing a message. Working adults also expressed challenges managing an additional device alongside their phones due to their busy lives.
How might we better streamline the Pocket Pad to minimize confusion and integrate seamlessly into the busy lives of working children?
Users were confused about the “Send to” screen, which only appeared after writing a message. Working adults also expressed challenges managing an additional device alongside their phones due to their busy lives.
How might we better streamline the Pocket Pad to minimize confusion and integrate seamlessly into the busy lives of working children?
Design
Usability Testing from Mid-fidelity to High-Fidelity
Usability Testing from Mid-fidelity to High-Fidelity
For our mid-fidelity iteration, we designed a dual-interface solution: a physical device for parents focused on accessibility and an iPhone app extension for tech-savvy working adults. Testing with 2 parents and 3 working adults guided refinements for our high-fidelity prototype.
For our mid-fidelity iteration, we designed a dual-interface solution: a physical device for parents focused on accessibility and an iPhone app extension for tech-savvy working adults. Testing with 2 parents and 3 working adults guided refinements for our high-fidelity prototype.
The Pocket Pad Device on Parent
Sending a Personal Photo
Sending a Personal Photo
Results indicated that the personalized emoji feature was not favored by the users, so the design was refreshed to utilize default iOS emojis with a library already familiar with users.
Results indicated that the personalized emoji feature was not favored by the users, so the design was refreshed to utilize default iOS emojis with a library already familiar with users.






The Pocket Pad Device on Parent
Sending a Thoughtful Note
Sending a Thoughtful Note
Usability testing with parents revealed confusion and difficulty on initial startup and the prompts screen. We’ve addressed these issues by adding hints and instructions throughout the design and making the prompt cards more visually accessible.
Usability testing with parents revealed confusion and difficulty on initial startup and the prompts screen. We’ve addressed these issues by adding hints and instructions throughout the design and making the prompt cards more visually accessible.






The Pocket Pad on iPhone for the Working Adults
Sending a Personal Photo
Sending a Personal Photo
Testing revealed mixed feedback on emojis but strong user preference for prompts across both parent and child groups. We maintained consistent prompt dialogue in both interfaces to align with this user response.
Testing revealed mixed feedback on emojis but strong user preference for prompts across both parent and child groups. We maintained consistent prompt dialogue in both interfaces to align with this user response.






The Pocket Pad on iPhone for the Working Adults
Sending a Thoughtful Note
Sending a Thoughtful Note
Usability testing revealed users struggled with navigation clarity - particularly differentiating between photo and notes sections on the home screen. We improved interface legibility by adding contextual hints and streamlining the design to create clear user pathways.
Usability testing revealed users struggled with navigation clarity - particularly differentiating between photo and notes sections on the home screen. We improved interface legibility by adding contextual hints and streamlining the design to create clear user pathways.






Design
Hardware and Technical Specifications
Hardware and Technical Specifications
In thinking about the physical Pocket Pad device, we have also 3D modeled our device in real dimensions.
In thinking about the physical Pocket Pad device, we have also 3D modeled our device in real dimensions.
Design Item 1: Phone Case
Design Item 1: Phone Case
The phone case design integrates a secure pen holder, preventing loss while maintaining a slim, seamless profile.
The phone case design integrates a secure pen holder, preventing loss while maintaining a slim, seamless profile.



Design Item 2: Pen
Design Item 2: Pen
The pen features a specialized crevice fitting the Pocket Pad and a circular tip for easy removal. When messages arrive, the tip glows as a notification.
The pen features a specialized crevice fitting the Pocket Pad and a circular tip for easy removal. When messages arrive, the tip glows as a notification.



Design Item 3: Pocket Pad
Design Item 3: Pocket Pad
The Pocket Pad combines Kindle and iPhone design elements with durable materials. Its sticky-note dimensions and steel hinge enable portability while supporting core features.
The Pocket Pad combines Kindle and iPhone design elements with durable materials. Its sticky-note dimensions and steel hinge enable portability while supporting core features.



Retrospective
Impact & Takeaways
Impact & Takeaways
In 10 weeks, we collaborated to produce an innovative way to connect families across both distances and work commitments. We believe we have made something remarkable that could really address a problem that affects families across the US.
We received largely positive feedback from user testing from both parents and adults, and have indicated promise towards utilizing our concept. That is not to say that there aren’t issues with the design we’d like to improve, if given the time. User testing showed that emojis were not as important as we’d originally thought, for instance, but utilizing them to produce something relatable for both users (an inside joke, for example) showed interest among our user group. For the future, we’d like to see this idea better implemented, and measure if the feature could be retooled to empathize better with users.
For our future scope, we’d like to recommend exploring the aging parent-working adults relationship to extend to logistics, feasibility, and a solidified idea on how our concept could benefit families across oceans as a tool to keep them connected.
Next steps and improvements:
Creating more features for the tech-savvy working children to use, some people mentioned the idea of a live photo or implementing video taking features.
Utilize the notepad function to create other features such as note taking and making to-do lists.
Implement the same solution on a device at home or at work, such as a refrigerator.
Simplify the process even more- what if the prompt idea could be translated into emotion cards that can be used to quickly show emotion?
Utilize buttons that have “depth”.
In 10 weeks, we collaborated to produce an innovative way to connect families across both distances and work commitments. We believe we have made something remarkable that could really address a problem that affects families across the US.
We received largely positive feedback from user testing from both parents and adults, and have indicated promise towards utilizing our concept. That is not to say that there aren’t issues with the design we’d like to improve, if given the time. User testing showed that emojis were not as important as we’d originally thought, for instance, but utilizing them to produce something relatable for both users (an inside joke, for example) showed interest among our user group. For the future, we’d like to see this idea better implemented, and measure if the feature could be retooled to empathize better with users.
For our future scope, we’d like to recommend exploring the aging parent-working adults relationship to extend to logistics, feasibility, and a solidified idea on how our concept could benefit families across oceans as a tool to keep them connected.
Next steps and improvements:
Creating more features for the tech-savvy working children to use, some people mentioned the idea of a live photo or implementing video taking features.
Utilize the notepad function to create other features such as note taking and making to-do lists.
Implement the same solution on a device at home or at work, such as a refrigerator.
Simplify the process even more- what if the prompt idea could be translated into emotion cards that can be used to quickly show emotion?
Utilize buttons that have “depth”.
