work

Strengthening Connections Through a Playful Mobile Experience

The case study showcases the research, ideation, and prototyping phases leading to the creation of Aloft. By focusing on the interplay between technology and emotional wellness, I developed a solution tailored to individuals seeking a meaningful way to improve their mental health through better social connections.

Role

UX/UI Designer

Platforms

Desktop & Mobile Devices

Areas

Branding, Design

Responsibilities

UXR & UX Design

L’Artisan des Mélanges, a Parisian boutique established in 2018, specializes in premium, sustainably sourced coffee and tea. To extend their reach, they sought to develop an e-commerce platform that reflects their commitment to quality and tradition, appealing to both local and global audiences. The project involved comprehensive user and market research to design an intuitive and authentic online shopping experience.

Problem Statement

Individuals who naturally or habitually neglect staying in touch with their loved ones need to find a way to consistently engage with their social circles because this lack of commitment could potentially lead to loss of irreplaceable relationships which are crucial for our mental well-being.

Solution

To address the challenges of social disengagement, I developed a gamified app that encourages users to reconnect with their social circles by tracking and rewarding meaningful interactions, promoting sustained engagement with loved ones.

Understanding the Market

As part of the design and development process, I conducted an in-depth competitor feature analysis to better understand the landscape and identify opportunities for differentiation. 5 Key features stood out letting Aloft disrupt the market with its complete features.

Aloft stands out with unique features like Circle Sort and a lockscreen widget, offering a holistic and engaging approach to maintaining relationships that competitors lack.

Positioned as Playful and Intentional, Aloft fills a market gap by combining meaningful connections with an enjoyable user experience, unlike competitors focused on basic functionality.

Understanding our Users

Individuals who struggle to maintain their social relationships due to factors like anxiety, work pressure, or the demands of daily life, often leading to unintended social disengagement.

Interviewees' Voices

Sandra

”it's not easy to keep in touch if you don't know how to re-engage the conversation."

Henry

”About my friends not initiating contact, for some I’m actually sad about it because it feels like we are losing contact.”

Alice

”I may have lost a few friendships because of my habits and my solitary nature.” - Alice

Our researches led us to our main user persona…

Following to our User Journey Map

Ideation & Testings

How might we design a user-friendly, engaging solution that helps individuals prioritize and maintain meaningful social connections, even in the face of busy schedules or digital fatigue, to prevent feelings of isolation and enhance mental well-being?

Individuals who struggle to maintain their social relationships due to factors like anxiety, work pressure, or the demands of daily life, often leading to unintended social disengagement.

Conversation Starters

Personalized Experience

Interests’ based suggestions

Reminders

Sort Social Circles

Playful UI

Last Contacted Peoples

Brand Vision

Brand Logo & Variations

Final Designs

Reflections

Balancing Brand Identity with Usability

One of the biggest challenges was maintaining the essence of a Parisian boutique while ensuring the platform was intuitive and functional. It reinforced the importance of aligning visual aesthetics with a seamless user experience. I learned how to balance storytelling through design while ensuring accessibility for a global audience.

Balancing Brand Identity with Usability

Empathy in Design Through Research

Conducting thorough user and market research gave me a clearer picture of the target audience’s needs and expectations. I realized that empathy is a cornerstone of effective UX/UI design — understanding the “why” behind user behavior directly informed key design decisions.

Empathy in Design Through Research

Sustainability in Focus

The project highlighted the increasing importance of sustainability in consumer decisions. Designing for an eco-conscious brand taught me how to visually communicate values like fair trade and environmental responsibility without overwhelming the user.

Sustainability in Focus

What’s Next?

This project solidified my passion for creating designs that not only solve problems but also tell stories. Moving forward, I aim to explore more projects that challenge me to think critically about user behavior, cultural significance, and the impact of design on brand perception. This journey with Artisan des Mélanges reaffirmed that great design is where function meets emotion, and I’m excited to bring this philosophy into my future work.

What’s Next?

Let’s talk over a warm brew.

julian.khuy@gmail.com