Memori

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IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION

Inspiration

We were inspired by the emotional and practical challenges faced by people with dementia and the caregivers who support them. For one of our team members, this project held personal significance as their grandfather lived with dementia and eventually passed away due to it. Witnessing the effects of cognitive decline on both the individual and the family gave us a deeper sense of purpose and empathy in our design process. As cognitive function declines, everyday tasks become harder to complete, and traditional technology becomes difficult to navigate. Most digital tools aren’t built for this population. We wanted to design something that felt human, intuitive, and supportive. Our research into color therapy, behavioral cues, and caregiving practices confirmed the need for a soft, guided experience that reduces anxiety and fosters connection.

What it does

Memori is a guided mobile companion designed to support people with dementia through structured routines, memory reinforcement, and caregiver connection.

On the patient side, Memori walks users through their day one task at a time using voice prompts, calming visuals, and single-action screens. Features like familiar face cards and a large “I feel lost” button help reduce disorientation and encourage calm, independent action.

Memori also introduces a point-based incentive system that rewards users for completing daily tasks such as brushing their teeth, taking a walk, or doing creative activities. As dementia progresses, brains tend to engage well with gamified systems, so this feature makes the app both accessible and engaging.

On the caregiver side, Memori allows loved ones or professionals to set up daily routines, send voice notes, send personalized messages, and receive emergency notifications in real time.

How we built it

We built our prototype using Figma, with a focus on calm, accessible, and emotionally aware design. Inspired by dementia-focused color theory, we prioritized visual clarity and emotional resonance in our color palette.

For the patient side, we used calming shades of green, particularly lime green, which is one of the last colors dementia patients retain the ability to see. Green is also associated with renewal and nature, and helps promote a sense of safety and relaxation while improving visibility and reducing cognitive load.

On the caregiver side, we used shades of purple to represent dignity, sacred care, and quiet strength. This color choice not only offers visual distinction from the patient interface, but also honors the essential role caregivers play in supporting others with patience and compassion.

We focused on two primary user modes:

Patient Mode: Supports step-by-step daily guidance, memory reinforcement, emotional comfort, and recreational engagement through a point-based reward system.
Caregiver Mode: Enables routine customization, emergency alert management, and the ability to send voice messages directly to the patient.

Each mode serves its unique user but remains unified by a shared design system centered around simplicity and clarity.

Challenges we ran into

Designing for people with dementia means rethinking everything from the way information is presented to the emotional tone it conveys. We had to challenge assumptions about what "intuitive" means for someone experiencing memory loss or confusion. Creating an interface that is calm but not sterile, and informative but not overwhelming, was one of the toughest parts.

We also faced challenges designing features for caregivers that were robust but not overly technical. It was important to maintain a sense of emotional connection while delivering helpful, actionable tools.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of creating a design that centers empathy, clarity, and human connection. Memori doesn't just focus on task completion — it helps patients feel safe and caregivers feel supported. One feature we’re especially proud of is the emergency “I feel lost” button, which provides a direct and reassuring way for patients to ask for help. In moments of confusion or distress, having a large, simple button that connects them to a caregiver can make a real difference — both emotionally and practically. It’s a small touch, but one that reflects our commitment to dignity, autonomy, and real-world safety.

What we learned

We learned that accessibility is about more than font size and color contrast. It's also about emotional safety, predictability, and dignity. We explored the power of tone, rhythm, and repetition in supporting cognitive challenges. And we gained a deep appreciation for the emotional labor caregivers carry and the small design choices that can lighten that load.

What's next for Memori

We hope to expand Memori into a functional mobile app with personalized voice recordings, secure caregiver communication, and adaptive routine suggestions. We’d also like to explore how Memori can be used in assisted living facilities or by people with early-stage Alzheimer’s, post-stroke recovery, or general memory loss. At every stage, we want Memori to remain gentle, guided, and human.

*disclaimer: Stock images used in collages are from Unsplash. Iconography are from Iconify. Credit goes to the original photographers.