Heart Link

Sharon Tran, Cindy Tran Protothon 2021: Valentines Track

Overview

HeartLink

is a virtual social app that aims to bring long-distance couples closer together by heart through fun and engaging in-app features that promote and maintain a sense of connectivity.

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Design Process

Understand

Sketch

Define

Prototype

Decide

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02

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05

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Problem Breakdown

Newly & continuing long-distance couples

How to create an app that provides a fun & engaging Valentine’s Day experience for long-distance couples?

Long-distance relationships are challenging. Not only does it become harder to create long-lasting memories, it may impact the relationship in the long run due to the lack of in-person intimacy.

Create an app that brings long-distance couples together by minimizing the distance through fun & interactive in-app activities.

Who?

What?

How?

Why?

Understand Define Sketch Decide Prototype

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User Research

1. What is the most challenging part about being in a long-distance relationship?
2. How often do you meet up with your significant other before and during the pandemic?
3. What activities do you and your significant other like doing in person?
4. How about now with the pandemic? How would you stay connected?

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Interview Responses

“Staying engaged with your partner in their everyday life and pursuits”

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“We didn’t talk at all till the pandemic but meet once a week and call everyday”

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What is the most challenging part about being in a long-distance relationship?

How often do you meet up with your significant other before and during the pandemic?

“Not having the person next to you, you build a relationship virtually but it’s different in life”

“Not being there for that person physically when they’re going through something”

“Used to see each other often before but now we just text and call”

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Interview Responses

“Just being in each other’s presence and talking or doing fun spontaneous hangouts”

“Just texting and voice chatting when we have time”

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03

What activities do you and your significant other like doing in person?

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How about now with the pandemic? How would you stay connected?

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“Watching movies, making dinner together, going for walks”

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“Traveling to other cities, games, eating out”

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“We stay connected through social media and all that”

“Phone, FaceTime, Instagram Memes”

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User Persona

Frustrations

• Not being able to see her boyfriend
• Doesn’t have enough money to buy a plane ticket
• Running out of things to talk about and feels worried

Needs

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• Easy navigation to look for date ideas
• Look up inspiration and quick bite-sized articles
• Building trust and communication

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Goals

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• Bond with her boyfriend
• Make long-lasting memories
• Wants to feel reassured and confident

Understand Define Sketch Decide Prototype

Name: Elise

Gender: Female

Age: 25

Location: San Diego, CA

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User Persona

Frustrations

• Not being able to spend time with his girlfriend
• Has no idea what to do for his virtual date
• Unable to physically support his partner when she’s struggling

Needs

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• Organized listing of ideas of bonding activities
• Advice and tips to maintain a healthy relationship
• Efficient and mobile friendly for couples to interact

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Goals

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• Spend less money on plane tickets
• Maintain a long-term relationship with his girlfriend
• Wants to feel connected and reassured

Name: Linden

Gender: Male

Age: 28

Location: Boston, MA

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Competitive Analysis

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Feature Brainstorming

Understand Define Sketch Decide Prototype

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Solution Proposal

1. Organized couple activities into categories listing and adding it into an inspiration/wishlist board
2. Make long-lasting memories with your significant other via customized photo albums and notes
3. Informing long-distance couples through personalized articles to maintain a healthy relationship (ex. Date ideas)
4. An interactive experience that couples can engage in in-app interactive activity(s)

Understand Define Sketch Decide Prototype

Explore Page

Organized couple activities into categories listing and adding it into an inspiration/wishlist board

Understand Define Sketch Decide Prototype

Couple’s Wishbox and Albums

Make long-lasting memories with your significant other: customized photo albums and notes

Personalized Articles

Educating long distance couples through personalized articles to maintain a healthy relationship (ex. date ideas, trendy gifts, recipes)

Love Plant

An interactive experience that couples can engage in in-app interactive activity(s)

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Main Screens

Link: Figma