Problem Statement Many recent graduates and solo travelers feel a sense of isolation and uncertainty when navigating a new city, leading to an isolation feedback loop as they hesitate to explore new places and meet new people.
Puffin is about connecting people, whether short-term visitors or long-term residents, with events and the community within the city. As soon-to-be graduates, we understand the anxiety, uncertainty, and liminality of being in a new environment. You don’t know where to go, who to talk to, or how to begin building a sense of belonging. Many people respond by staying within a small comfort zone — repeating the same routes, visiting the same places, and unintentionally deepening that feeling of isolation.
Puffin was designed to break that cycle. Puffin connects people who are new to a city with curated local experiences and with others who are navigating the same transition — turning exploration into connection. We aim to motivate users further to explore by allowing challenges to be completed for tokens, which can then be exchanged for real prizes at local participating businesses.
It was an exciting challenge to connect physical communities within a digital space. While the struggle for connecting continues in a rapidly digitalized world, it is up to us to find ways to build community within the in-between places.
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