Weing

Project Background

For many, if not most, family is one of the most important aspects of life. Although the definition of the family is one that can change superficially according to culture or era, it essentially refers to a group of people related by blood and with strong relational bonds. Strong family relationships have a great deal of benefits, from the personal (physical and psychological health) to the societal (fundamental building block of a community). The purpose of this project was to explore relationships and communication styles between family members. My goal was to identify the root difficulties family members often experience, then design an app that would help families develop stronger relationships and bonds.

Project Outcome

Throughout the research phase, it became evident that the most common struggle within families was effective communication. Communication is one of the lynchpins of successful relationships, and its importance and influence can be even stronger for families. Modern society, with its hectic work and school schedules, greatly limits the time families can have to foster healthy modes of communication with each other. I found that families struggle to create quality opportunities to spend time together and bond. Through my research and multiple design iterations, I found that it may be possible to increase family intimacy and relational confidence by creating a platform by which family members can share their thoughts and opinions with each other.

My project, Weing, is a mobile app that shares the current status, events, actions, thoughts, and media within families. The application is designed to create opportunities for family members to share their stories and experiences in the hectic world. Weing helps family bond in a virtual gathering, helping them not only feel closer, but providing a place where they can support each other and develop stronger bonds than ever before.

Process

1. Research

   Researchers have discovered a strong link between communication patterns and satisfaction with family relationships (Noller & Fitzpatrick, 1990). Poor communication is also associated with an increased risk of divorce and marital separation and more behavioral problems in children.

2. User Interviews

Q: What’s the biggest problem with building a strong bond between the family?

To get some insights, I interviewed few people from different perspectives before I get into my actual project.

3. Define the Problem

Many people have problems in communication with their own families for various reasons. Most of the reasons caused from their busy life or difficult to contact them (emotionally or technically).

Wireframe

Final Digital Iterations

When users first sign in to the app, they must set the family’s size, the locations of family members, and names. The app’s functionality will change slightly depending on what is inputted. For family members that do not live in the same home or location, the app will automatically account for and communicate the time differences to users to facilitate mutual interaction. This is especially important for those with family abroad. On the account page, all users will have the option to post their current status or mood so that family members can have a general idea of each person’s situation.

It is difficult for many families, especially including extended families, to make time to spend with each other. With this function, users organizing an event or gathering (such as a birthday party or a family dinner) can offer various choices and options. Family members can then offer opinions or votes to facilitate the planning process and to address issues the planner might not know about, such as allergies.