The Good Neighbour

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
The UX challenge was designing a system that could be inclusive for the majority of older adults, especially introverts, whom the study identified as an underserved segment. This required finding a balance between designing for accessibility and incorporating intuitive yet engaging elements. The key was a deep understanding of their daily routines and emotional needs. Consequently, the major design decision was to adopt a non-tech solution that could cater to individual preferences, as the research showed that some older adults are averse to technology and have no apps on their phones. Engagement was tied to positive interactions with people in the neighborhood, supported by gratitude cards that provided feedback to signify the end of an interaction while meeting their need to feel valued.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
By initially designing for positive interactions with introverts, the solution became inclusive for everyone, including non-older adults experiencing loneliness or social isolation. This “aha” moment led to the creation of multiple interaction touchpoints: ShareWithMe, WriteWithMe, and SitWithMe. It has since expanded to VisualiseWithMe, GoWithMe, and SlowdownWithMe to include young people in the neighborhood. The challenging part was deriving the idea from the main research question: "How can we increase the frequency of experiencing pockets of purpose and raise awareness of older adults’ role in society?" Achieving solutions for both issues required a combination of research rigor and design creativity.

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?