Sphere
In summer 2022, I joined the Foster project at MIT Media Lab, Affective computing team as a research assistant. This project aims to design technology that supports healing and care for foster-involved youth in Mass.
My role involved analyzing user research data, contributing to ideation, and designing the branding and the interface of social interactions and daily check-ins.
In summer 2022, I joined the Foster project at MIT Media Lab, Affective computing team as a research assistant. This project aims to design technology that supports healing and care for foster-involved youth in Mass.
My role involved analyzing user research data, contributing to ideation, and designing the branding and the interface of social interactions and daily check-ins.
Team
Team
1 UX Researcher
1 Engineer
1 UX Researcher
1 Engineer
Tools
Tools
Figma
R-Studio
Figma
R-Studio
Timeline
Timeline
May 2022 -
May 2023
May 2022 -
May 2023
Challenge
Foster youth lacks vital social support
I conducted 22 user interviews with foster youth to understand their challenges and pain points. It was revealed that:
I conducted 22 user interviews with foster youth to understand their challenges and pain points. It was revealed that:
Emotional Struggles
Emotional Struggles
Instability led to anxiety, sadness, and anger which are often unsupported.
Instability led to anxiety, sadness, and anger which are often unsupported.
Weak Network
Weak Network
Frequent moves isolate youth, disrupting connection and support.
Frequent moves isolate youth, disrupting connection and support.
Adulting Challenges
Adulting Challenges
Transition to adulthood is challenging without continued guidance.
Transition to adulthood is challenging without continued guidance.
Solution
Reflective Check-Ins
Youth share a daily “high” and “low,” plus how they’re feeling. This structured reflection encourages emotional processing, builds self-awareness, and supports mental health in a trauma-informed way.
Youth share a daily “high” and “low,” plus how they’re feeling. This structured reflection encourages emotional processing, builds self-awareness, and supports mental health in a trauma-informed way.
Solution
Anonymized Community Feed
Check-ins can be shared anonymously in a safe, moderated space where youth can react and respond to others. This fosters a sense of belonging, understanding, and peer connection.
Check-ins can be shared anonymously in a safe, moderated space where youth can react and respond to others. This fosters a sense of belonging, understanding, and peer connection.
Solution
Memories Page (Reflective Calendar)
A private calendar logs past emotions and posts, helping youth track their emotional journey, recognize growth, and gain insight—empowering them during uncertain transitions.
A private calendar logs past emotions and posts, helping youth track their emotional journey, recognize growth, and gain insight—empowering them during uncertain transitions.
Impact
Increased social and emotional support
After a 2-week pilot study (one week without, one with the app), I analyzed pre- and post-survey data using R.
After a 2-week pilot study (one week without, one with the app), I analyzed pre- and post-survey data using R.
Social Support Scale Score
+11%
User feel more understood
67%
User who recommend
80%
Branding
Playful, colorful, and dark mode
In interviews, 40% of users requested more colors, favoring green. Nearly all preferred a dark mode. Responding to this, I crafted a playful yet calming interface, using green and yellow accents with waves and spheres to evoke a vibrant, serene atmosphere.
In interviews, 40% of users requested more colors, favoring green. Nearly all preferred a dark mode. Responding to this, I crafted a playful yet calming interface, using green and yellow accents with waves and spheres to evoke a vibrant, serene atmosphere.
Other Projects
Care Hero Marketplace
Led the end-to-end design of Care Hero web app from concept to launch.
Led the end-to-end design of Care Hero web app from concept to launch.
Led the end-to-end design of Care Hero web app from concept to launch.
WOLF
Designing the Photoshop of Mechanical Engineering, making Nano-structure material design effortless.
Designing the Photoshop of Mechanical Engineering, making Nano-structure material design effortless.
Designing the Photoshop of Mechanical Engineering, making Nano-structure material design effortless.
PALM Mobile App
Designing the cross-platform healthtech app from 0 to 1, including branding and design system
Designing the cross-platform healthtech app from 0 to 1.
Designing the cross-platform healthtech app from 0 to 1.