I chose this RSA brief because it offered a unique challenge different from my previous projects. With limited knowledge about caregiving, I expected this brief to come with challenges, but I saw it as an opportunity to broaden my knowledge and design for a new audience. Approaching the brief with an open mind, I explored a wide range of research and design possibilities.
Before deciding on a specific issue to address, I researched various topics such as elder malnutrition, ageism affecting youth engagement with seniors, and broader subjects like the challenges faced by unpaid carers.
Through a process of careful consideration, I chose to focus on long-distance caregiving. Discussions with family, friends, and mentors reinforced the importance of this topic. Although I found limited existing research due to its contemporary nature, I was motivated to continue exploring long-distance caregiving because I felt compelled to assist an underrepresented community.
Iceberg and mountain model
Initial ideation sketches
Through secondary research, I identified a variety of existing products and services designed to improve the lives of long-distance carers. These included monitoring devices, community services, smartwatches, tablets, and care planning apps. While beneficial for both carers and the elderly, there were some concerns about these services:
- Monitoring devices can be quite expensive, making them less accessible.
- Many of these products are high-tech and digitally complex, which can be challenging for elders to use.
- Although planning apps and community services promote communication, they often focus on connecting carers and family members rather than strengthening the bond between the carer and the person being cared for.
When developing my concept I learned that doing word and puzzle games can be quite beneficial for the brain as it can reduce the onset of dementia by two and a half years. This fact inspired the direction I took in designing my service, leading me to create collaborative puzzle games. I chose to carry on with this route because not only would the puzzles enhance the well-being of both the carer and the elder but also support their brain health.
To better understand the challenges of long-distance care, I conducted primary research which focused on the experiences of long-distance carers. I interviewed two relatives who have first-hand experience with this type of care. Additionally, I sent out a Google form with the same interview questions and received three responses. From this research, I learned that long-distance care can often cause stress due to various factors like guilt, finances, and worrying about not being there during emergencies.
Creating user personas
Prototypes and User Testing
Designing the brand identity began with creating the logo and name. I tried out different names for my idea, which led to various logo designs. I wanted a name that matched the product, so I initially chose names related to puzzles. But after thinking about the service's purpose, I came up with "Together Apart." This name felt right because it captured the ideas of connection and closeness which
the service focused on.
When deciding on the colour scheme I considered two different themes. One that represented calm and relaxation and a second which gave off a fun and exciting feel. Choosing the first option, I wanted the colour of the service to to represent the feeling of taking a break. The keywords I was focused on were connection, relaxation, and cheerfulness.