— Memories
— Memories
— Memories Over Time
— Memories Over Time
Over Time
Over Time
Memora is a app that helps older adults record voice memories and share them with loved ones.
Memora is a app that helps older adults record voice memories and share them with loved ones.
Memora is a voice first app that helps older adults record memories and share them with loved ones.
Memora is a app that helps older adults record voice memories and share them with loved ones.
Role:
UX / Product Design
Timeline:
14 weeks
Focus:
Voice based memory sharing
Position:
Emotional legacy
Role:
UX / Product Design
Timeline:
14 weeks
Focus:
Voice based memory sharing
Position:
Emotional legacy
Role:
UX / Product Design
Timeline:
14 weeks
Focus:
Voice based memory sharing
Position:
Emotional legacy
Role:
UX / Product Design
Focus:
Voice based memory sharing
Timeline:
14 weeks
Position:
Emotional legacy
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
Everyday moments exist across photos, messages, and passing thoughts, but current digital tools focus on real time sharing, not long term collection. Without a simple way to gather these pieces over time, memories stay scattered, and meaningful moments often go uncaptured.
Everyday moments exist across photos, messages, and passing thoughts, but current digital tools focus on real time sharing, not long term collection. Without a simple way to gather these pieces over time, memories stay scattered, and meaningful moments often go uncaptured.
Everyday moments exist across photos, messages, and passing thoughts, but current digital tools focus on real time sharing, not long term collection. Without a simple way to gather these pieces over time, memories stay scattered, and meaningful moments often go uncaptured.
Everyday moments exist across photos, messages, and passing thoughts, but current digital tools focus on real time sharing, not long term collection. Without a simple way to gather these pieces over time, memories stay scattered, and meaningful moments often go uncaptured.
Research
Research
Research
Research
To understand emotional legacy and how memories are saved today, I ran interviews, reviewed research, and studied existing storytelling tools.
To understand emotional legacy and how memories are saved today, I ran interviews, reviewed research, and studied existing storytelling tools.
To understand emotional legacy and how memories are saved today, I ran interviews, reviewed research, and studied existing storytelling tools.
To understand emotional legacy and how memories are saved today, I ran interviews, reviewed research, and studied existing storytelling tools.
Exploratory Interviews
Exploratory Interviews
Exploratory Interviews
Exploratory Interviews
Participants: 6 people who lost loved ones
Format: Semi-structured 1:1 interviews (30–45 min)
Goal: Explore how digital traces work after loss and find unmet emotional needs in the grieving process
Participants: 6 people who lost loved ones
Format: Semi-structured 1:1 interviews (30–45 min)
Goal: Explore how digital traces work after loss and find unmet emotional needs in the grieving process
Participants: 6 people who lost loved ones
Format: Semi-structured 1:1 interviews (30–45 min)
Goal: Explore how digital traces work after loss and find unmet emotional needs in the grieving process
Participants: 6 people who lost loved ones
Format: Semi-structured 1:1 interviews (30–45 min)
Goal: Explore how digital traces work after loss and find unmet emotional needs in the grieving process
“Nothing really helps after they’re gone. You just learn to live with it.”
“Nothing really helps after they’re gone. You just learn to live with it.”
These conversations showed that a product cannot fix grief. Real support needs to happen before loss, while people are still living and able to share their stories. This shifted the focus from grief support to helping older adults capture the memories and reflections they want to pass on.
These conversations showed that a product cannot fix grief. Real support needs to happen before loss, while people are still living and able to share their stories. This shifted the focus from grief support to helping older adults capture the memories and reflections they want to pass on.
These conversations showed that a product cannot fix grief. Real support needs to happen before loss, while people are still living and able to share their stories. This shifted the focus from grief support to helping older adults capture the memories and reflections they want to pass on.
These conversations showed that a product cannot fix grief. Real support needs to happen before loss, while people are still living and able to share their stories. This shifted the focus from grief support to helping older adults capture the memories and reflections they want to pass on.
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
To understand emotional legacy and memory sharing, I reviewed research on older adults (60+) and shared memories across generations.
To understand emotional legacy and memory sharing, I reviewed research on older adults (60+) and shared memories across generations.
To understand emotional legacy and memory sharing, I reviewed research on older adults (60+) and shared memories across generations.
To understand emotional legacy and memory sharing, I reviewed research on older adults (60+) and shared memories across generations.
Before
69%
69%
older adults want to be remembered for shared memories.
older adults want to be remembered for shared memories.
older adults want to be remembered for shared memories.
(Age Wave, 2019)
(Age Wave, 2019)
After
61%
61%
regret not preserving more memories with loved ones who have passed
regret not preserving more memories with loved ones who have passed
regret not preserving more memories with loved ones who have passed
(Statista, 2021 “Regrets Survey”)
(Statista, 2021 “Regrets Survey”)
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Most platforms push toward a set outcome, and general tools allow capture but lack emotional guidance. Memora focuses on meaning first, offering a private, low pressure space to reflect before sharing.
Most platforms push toward a set outcome, and general tools allow capture but lack emotional guidance. Memora focuses on meaning first, offering a private, low pressure space to reflect before sharing.
Most platforms push toward a set outcome, and general tools allow capture but lack emotional guidance. Memora focuses on meaning first, offering a private, low pressure space to reflect before sharing.
Most platforms push toward a set outcome, and general tools allow capture but lack emotional guidance. Memora focuses on meaning first, offering a private, low pressure space to reflect before sharing.
Privacy comes before sharing
Users prefer a protected space to reflect and collect memories privately before deciding if, when, or how to share them.
Lack of structure makes starting hard
When asked to share something “meaningful,” users feel cognitive overload without guidance, so they do not know where to start.
Emotional connection matters most
Older adults prioritize passing on personal memories and values over material legacy, making emotional continuity the primary motivation.
Reflection happens gradually over time
Meaningful memories appear in different moments and life stages, so users need ongoing capture, not one time storytelling.
Privacy comes before sharing
Users prefer a protected space to reflect and collect memories privately before deciding if, when, or how to share them.
Emotional connection matters most
Older adults prioritize passing on personal memories and values over material legacy, making emotional continuity the primary motivation.
Lack of structure makes starting hard
When asked to share something “meaningful,” users feel cognitive overload without guidance, so they do not know where to start.
Reflection happens gradually over time
Meaningful memories appear in different moments and life stages, so users need ongoing capture, not one time storytelling.
Emotion matters most
Older adults prioritize passing on personal memories and values over material legacy, making emotional continuity the primary motivation.
Reflection happens gradually over time
Meaningful memories appear in different moments and life stages, so users need ongoing capture, not one time storytelling.
Lack of structure makes starting hard
When asked to share something “meaningful,” users feel cognitive overload without guidance, so they do not know where to start.
Privacy comes before sharing
Users prefer a protected space to reflect and collect memories privately before deciding if, when, or how to share them.
Privacy comes before sharing
Users prefer a protected space to reflect and collect memories privately before deciding if, when, or how to share them.
Emotional connection matters most
Older adults prioritize passing on personal memories and values over material legacy, making emotional continuity the primary motivation.
Lack of structure makes starting hard
When asked to share something “meaningful,” users feel cognitive overload without guidance, so they do not know where to start.
Reflection happens gradually over time
Meaningful memories appear in different moments and life stages, so users need ongoing capture, not one time storytelling.
How might we create an easy, gentle way for older adults to capture the memories and wisdom that matter most, before they are lost?
How might we create an easy, gentle way for older adults to capture the memories that matter most, before they are lost?
Design Principles
Design Principles
Design Principles
Design Principles
Designing for long term retention
Designing for long term retention
Support ongoing memory collection over time, encouraging gradual reflection instead of one ime storytelling.
Support ongoing memory collection over time, encouraging gradual reflection instead of one ime storytelling.
Privacy by default & user control
Privacy by default & user control
All memories remain private by default, with users fully controlling when, how, and with whom they are shared.
All memories remain private by default, with users fully controlling when, how, and with whom they are shared.
Cognitive load reduction
Cognitive load reduction
Reduce retrieval anxiety with guided prompts and voice first capture to lower the cognitive barrier to starting.
Reduce retrieval anxiety with guided prompts and voice first capture to lower the cognitive barrier to starting.
Designing for long term retention
Support ongoing memory collection over time, encouraging gradual reflection instead of one ime storytelling.
Privacy by default & user control
All memories remain private by default, with users fully controlling when, how, and with whom they are shared.
Cognitive load reduction
Reduce retrieval anxiety with guided prompts and voice first capture to lower the cognitive barrier to starting.
Designing for long term retention
Support ongoing memory collection over time, encouraging gradual reflection instead of one ime storytelling.
Cognitive load reduction
Reduce retrieval anxiety with guided prompts and voice first capture to lower the cognitive barrier to starting.
Privacy by default & user control
All memories remain private by default, with users fully controlling when, how, and with whom they are shared.
Experience Design & Core Flow
Experience Design & Core Flow
Experience Design & Core Flow
Experience Design & Core Flow
Memora guides users through a gentle journey, from reflection to recording to memory capsules. Instead of pushing legacy right away, the experience starts with small moments of inspiration and grows over time. With short, low-pressure steps, Memora helps older adults build meaningful memories gradually, making it easier to start and comfortable to continue.
Memora guides users through a gentle journey, from reflection to recording to memory capsules. Instead of pushing legacy right away, the experience starts with small moments of inspiration and grows over time. With short, low-pressure steps, Memora helps older adults build meaningful memories gradually, making it easier to start and comfortable to continue.
Memora guides users through a gentle journey, from reflection to recording to memory capsules. Instead of pushing legacy right away, the experience starts with small moments of inspiration and grows over time. With short, low-pressure steps, Memora helps older adults build meaningful memories gradually, making it easier to start and comfortable to continue.
Memora guides users through a gentle journey, from reflection to recording to memory capsules. Instead of pushing legacy right away, the experience starts with small moments of inspiration and grows over time. With short, low-pressure steps, Memora helps older adults build meaningful memories gradually, making it easier to start and comfortable to continue.
Recording
Recording
Recording
Recording
Users scroll through memory ideas to get inspired, then record moments using voice. Speaking feels more natural than typing, making it easier for older adults to start sharing memories.
Users scroll through memory ideas to get inspired, then record moments using voice. Speaking feels more natural than typing, making it easier for older adults to start sharing memories.
Users scroll through memory ideas to get inspired, then record moments using voice. Speaking feels more natural than typing, making it easier for older adults to start sharing memories.
Users scroll through memory ideas to get inspired, then record moments using voice. Speaking feels more natural than typing, making it easier for older adults to start sharing memories.
Managing
Managing
Managing
Managing
All recordings live in one private place where users can listen back, manage memories, and edit anytime. This space feels personal and protected, helping users build trust over time.
All recordings live in one private place where users can listen back, manage memories, and edit anytime. This space feels personal and protected, helping users build trust over time.
All recordings live in one private place where users can listen back, manage memories, and edit anytime. This space feels personal and protected, helping users build trust over time.
All recordings live in one private place where users can listen back, manage memories, and edit anytime. This space feels personal and protected, helping users build trust over time.
Sharing
Sharing
Sharing
Sharing
When ready, users select recordings and turn them into capsules. They choose delivery format, timing, and recipients, turning memories into thoughtful gifts. Users pay per capsule based on delivery format and timing.
When ready, users select recordings and turn them into capsules. They choose delivery format, timing, and recipients, turning memories into thoughtful gifts. Users pay per capsule based on delivery format and timing.
When ready, users select recordings and turn them into capsules. They choose delivery format, timing, and recipients, turning memories into thoughtful gifts. Users pay per capsule based on delivery format and timing.
When ready, users select recordings and turn them into capsules. They choose delivery format, timing, and recipients, turning memories into thoughtful gifts. Users pay per capsule based on delivery format and timing.
Testing & Iteration
Testing & Iteration
Testing & Iteration
Testing & Iteration
I refined Memora through usability testing and flow updates, focusing on reducing emotional friction, improving clarity, and supporting low pressure memory capture for older adults.
I refined Memora through usability testing and flow updates, focusing on reducing emotional friction, improving clarity, and supporting low pressure memory capture for older adults.
I refined Memora through usability testing and flow updates, focusing on reducing emotional friction, improving clarity, and supporting low pressure memory capture for older adults.
I refined Memora through usability testing and flow updates, focusing on reducing emotional friction, improving clarity, and supporting low pressure memory capture for older adults.
1. Reordering capsule creation steps to reduce drop off
1. Reordering capsule creation steps to reduce drop off
1. Reordering capsule creation steps to reduce drop off
1. Reordering capsule creation steps to reduce drop off
Early testing showed that picking a memory before knowing the goal felt confusing. So I reordered the flow to start with product selection. This helped users understand the capsule first, then choose a memory, set a delivery date, add recipients, and complete payment.
Early testing showed that picking a memory before knowing the goal felt confusing. So I reordered the flow to start with product selection. This helped users understand the capsule first, then choose a memory, set a delivery date, add recipients, and complete payment.
Early testing showed that picking a memory before knowing the goal felt confusing. So I reordered the flow to start with product selection. This helped users understand the capsule first, then choose a memory, set a delivery date, add recipients, and complete payment.
Early testing showed that picking a memory before knowing the goal felt confusing. So I reordered the flow to start with product selection. This helped users understand the capsule first, then choose a memory, set a delivery date, add recipients, and complete payment.
2. Adding contextual onboarding for empty states
2. Adding contextual onboarding for empty states
2. Adding contextual onboarding for empty states
2. Adding contextual onboarding for empty states
After saving a memory, users often stopped and did not realize it could become a capsule. So I added an invite in the memory space, then onboarding on the Capsule page to explain capsules and formats. This guided users from reflection to sharing without breaking the flow.
After saving a memory, users often stopped and did not realize it could become a capsule. So I added an invite in the memory space, then onboarding on the Capsule page to explain capsules and formats. This guided users from reflection to sharing without breaking the flow.
After saving a memory, users often stopped and did not realize it could become a capsule. So I added an invite in the memory space, then onboarding on the Capsule page to explain capsules and formats. This guided users from reflection to sharing without breaking the flow.
After saving a memory, users often stopped and did not realize it could become a capsule. So I added an invite in the memory space, then onboarding on the Capsule page to explain capsules and formats. This guided users from reflection to sharing without breaking the flow.
Design Elements
Design Elements
Design Elements
Design Elements
These design elements create a calm, warm, and friendly experience that lowers emotional barriers and keeps interactions clear and easy for older adults. Soft visuals, gentle structure, and small accents support reflection without pressure, so memories feel personal, alive, and easy to capture.
These design elements create a calm, warm, and friendly experience that lowers emotional barriers and keeps interactions clear and easy for older adults. Soft visuals, gentle structure, and small accents support reflection without pressure, so memories feel personal, alive, and easy to capture.
These design elements create a calm, warm, and friendly experience that lowers emotional barriers and keeps interactions clear and easy for older adults. Soft visuals, gentle structure, and small accents support reflection without pressure, so memories feel personal, alive, and easy to capture.
These design elements create a calm, warm, and friendly experience that lowers emotional barriers and keeps interactions clear and easy for older adults. Soft visuals, gentle structure, and small accents support reflection without pressure, so memories feel personal, alive, and easy to capture.
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Designing Memora pushed me to think beyond functional usability and focus on emotional resonance as a core design need. Working with legacy and memory meant managing cognitive load and making sure prompts and voice first interaction reduced retrieval anxiety instead of creating pressure. I also learned to align brand voice and interaction tone, keeping warmth, craft, and clarity consistent across visuals, content, and delivery formats. Most importantly, this project helped me move from designing single interactions to designing systems that support reflection and emotional continuity over time.
Designing Memora pushed me to think beyond functional usability and focus on emotional resonance as a core design need. Working with legacy and memory meant managing cognitive load and making sure prompts and voice first interaction reduced retrieval anxiety instead of creating pressure. I also learned to align brand voice and interaction tone, keeping warmth, craft, and clarity consistent across visuals, content, and delivery formats. Most importantly, this project helped me move from designing single interactions to designing systems that support reflection and emotional continuity over time.
Designing Memora pushed me to think beyond functional usability and focus on emotional resonance as a core design need. Working with legacy and memory meant managing cognitive load and making sure prompts and voice first interaction reduced retrieval anxiety instead of creating pressure. I also learned to align brand voice and interaction tone, keeping warmth, craft, and clarity consistent across visuals, content, and delivery formats. Most importantly, this project helped me move from designing single interactions to designing systems that support reflection and emotional continuity over time.
Designing Memora pushed me to think beyond functional usability and focus on emotional resonance as a core design need. Working with legacy and memory meant managing cognitive load and making sure prompts and voice first interaction reduced retrieval anxiety instead of creating pressure. I also learned to align brand voice and interaction tone, keeping warmth, craft, and clarity consistent across visuals, content, and delivery formats. Most importantly, this project helped me move from designing single interactions to designing systems that support reflection and emotional continuity over time.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Next Steps
Next Steps
Accessibility testing: Conduct usability testing with older adults who have different levels of digital skills, vision limits, or motor limits. Make sure text is readable, voice interaction is clear, and navigation is simple.
Accessibility testing: Conduct usability testing with older adults who have different levels of digital skills, vision limits, or motor limits. Make sure text is readable, voice interaction is clear, and navigation is simple.
Accessibility testing: Conduct usability testing with older adults who have different levels of digital skills, vision limits, or motor limits. Make sure text is readable, voice interaction is clear, and navigation is simple.
Accessibility testing: Conduct usability testing with older adults who have different levels of digital skills, vision limits, or motor limits. Make sure text is readable, voice interaction is clear, and navigation is simple.
AI assisted content support: Explore AI assisted features such as memory summarization, gentle follow up prompts, or organization support to reduce cognitive effort without replacing authentic voice.
AI assisted content support: Explore AI assisted features such as memory summarization, gentle follow up prompts, or organization support to reduce cognitive effort without replacing authentic voice.
AI assisted content support: Explore AI assisted features such as memory summarization, gentle follow up prompts, or organization support to reduce cognitive effort without replacing authentic voice.
AI assisted content support: Explore AI assisted features such as memory summarization, gentle follow up prompts, or organization support to reduce cognitive effort without replacing authentic voice.
Small circle social sharing: Prototype a limited memory sharing model for close family members to create a light social loop while maintaining privacy and emotional safety.
Small circle social sharing: Prototype a limited memory sharing model for close family members to create a light social loop while maintaining privacy and emotional safety.
Small circle social sharing: Prototype a limited memory sharing model for close family members to create a light social loop while maintaining privacy and emotional safety.
Small circle social sharing: Prototype a limited memory sharing model for close family members to create a light social loop while maintaining privacy and emotional safety.
Expanding digital delivery formats: Test more digital capsule formats beyond physical ones, like scheduled audio releases or private digital archives.
Expanding digital delivery formats: Test more digital capsule formats beyond physical ones, like scheduled audio releases or private digital archives.
Expanding digital delivery formats: Test more digital capsule formats beyond physical ones, like scheduled audio releases or private digital archives.
Expanding digital delivery formats: Test more digital capsule formats beyond physical ones, like scheduled audio releases or private digital archives.