Resonance

1. Prototype link (Please submit a link to a playable prototype, not a link to your design file)

Link

2. Describe your project (max 150 words)

As AI continues to reshape the way we communicate, face-to-face interactions are becoming less frequent, and meaningful conversations are fading. Many people struggle to maintain deep, in-person connections, often relying on text-based communication that lacks emotional depth. It’s also easy to forget to check in with loved ones, missing valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships.

How can we preserve and nurture our human connections?

Resonance is an app designed to deepen relationships through thoughtful, real-world interactions. Using your phone’s tap feature, it sends engaging prompts to encourage self-reflection and meaningful conversations. With customizable intimacy-level questions, AI-generated video stories, and friendly reminders to reach out, Resonance transforms everyday exchanges into deeper, more fulfilling connections.

3. Describe your research process and findings. If you conducted any surveys or interviews, please include the survey form and/or interview questions here. If you conducted secondary research by pulling from online sources, please include a link to your sources. (Max 500 words)

Our team combined survey responses, personal experience, and research articles to inform our design decisions. One key study we examined, the American Friendship Project, found that out of 1,138 students, 837—roughly 73.6%—had lost touch with a friend in the past year. Additionally, 35% of participants reported feeling less close to their friends than they’d like, while over 30% found it difficult to maintain friendships at this stage in their lives. Despite these challenges, more than 60% of respondents still made an effort to connect with their friends at least once a month. Clearly research shows that in terms of friendship retention there is room to grow.

To gain further insight, we conducted our own survey, gathering 33 responses. Questions we asked included "How often do you spend time with your close friends or loved ones in person?" "Do you feel that words of affirmation from friends and loved ones positively impact your mood?" "Have you ever struggled to express how much you appreciate someone?" The results reinforced existing trends: 94% of respondents said they spend time with friends and loved ones primarily by talking and catching up, and the same percentage agreed that words of affirmation from friends and family have a positive impact on their mood. However, over 75% admitted struggling to express appreciation to someone they care about.

These findings highlight the difficulties people face in maintaining and nurturing friendships. This emphasizes the need for a solution like Resonance that fosters meaningful connection and appreciation in relationships.

Source 1: American Friendship Project

Source 2: User Survey

4. Describe your most important design decisions. What research findings and/or user testing results led you to make these decisions? (Max 500 words)

Every element of our app is carefully crafted with intentional design choices, from the logo to the way users interact with their friends. At the heart of our branding is the butterfly, a symbol of transformation and connection. Inspired by the phrase social butterfly, the logo represents our goal—to help friendships grow and evolve. Just as a butterfly emerges from a cocoon, we hope users experience a journey of deepening relationships, turning surface-level interactions into something more meaningful.

One of the design features we’re especially excited about is the tap interaction, which is visually represented as a ripple effect, much like a drop of water breaking the surface of a still pond. This subtle yet powerful animation reflects Resonance's main objective, breaking through silence and inspiring deeper discussions, one question at a time. We hope that by using a physical tap movement we make every interaction feel intentional and immersive.

To enhance the user experience, we chose a minimal homepage that prioritizes simplicity and focus. We wanted to create a space where users can engage in meaningful conversations without unnecessary clutter. By stripping away extra elements, we ensure that users spend less time navigating the app and more time engaging with the people who matter most.

Another feature we have is the friends page, designed to encourage reflection on relationships. Here, users can see a butterfly ranking that represents their closeness with each friend, based on the number of questions answered together. This element visually rewards those who actively engage in deep conversations. Additionally, here users can revisit their AI-generated video stories. These short, cartoon-style depictions offer a fun and nostalgic way to look back on shared moments, reinforcing the idea that every question answered through our app contributes to a growing and evolving friendship.

At its core, our app is built to make genuine, lasting connections. Through thoughtful design and interactive storytelling, we aim to help users nurture their relationships in a way that feels natural, engaging, and transformative.

Built With

• figma