Snailbox: A Slower-Paced App for Better Communication

Inspiration

Snailbox was inspired by the time delay that comes with delivering and receiving physical mail. While the rapid pace of social media has allowed people to communicate with each other faster, instant messages have also prevented people from writing clearer and more thought-out messages. We sought to bring pen-palling to an online platform and use technology to create better and more long-lasting matches.

What it does

Snailbox sends letters to pen pals with a randomized time delay from 1 to 5 days. Users can find matches based on recommendations created through similar interests and a filter system. They can only send 3 letters per day, making each letter they write more meaningful, and follow prompts based on their similar interests, as well as send pictures and digital gifts, to form deeper connections.

How we built it

We used Procreate, ibisPaint X, and Adobe Express to create the UI Design for the app, as well as Google Slides to create the presentation.

Challenges we ran into

We ran into some difficulties in optimizing pen pal selections, as we wanted users to be able to meet better matches without succumbing to the endless scrolling that comes with social media. We decided to develop a recommendations list with 6 people and allow users to further filter users down to 50 people if they wish to view other options.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of the aesthetics we developed in making Snailbox both a convenient and engaging app for users. The incorporation of a map further protects user privacy and enables users to meet people across the world regardless of region as long as they shared similar interests. The incorporation of stationery, pictures, and digital gifts also encourages users to exchange more letters with pen pals to form more intimate bonds just like with physical mail.

What we learned

We learned that it is not as easy as it may appear to develop an app that addresses convenience, security, and engagement, as it is difficult to create the most optimal pen pal matches while also protecting users' privacy. However, we were able to find a balance by encouraging users to input their own interests in their tags and bio while concealing their age, location, and gender if they chose to.