Ponte Project Summary🌍

In March 2024, I took part in a 48-hour designathon organized by UXL Laurier. The challenge was to devise an innovative solution within the given timeframe, meeting the criteria set by the judges. Working under pressure, our team aimed to create a seamless and distinct solution.

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The Challenge

At the UX Laurier Designathon, participants were tasked with addressing the prompt, "How will we use elements of everyday life for bonding and relationship building?". In response, I engaged in brainstorming sessions to identify UX-driven solutions to improve distant relationships. One emerging concept focused on improving communication between second-generation immigrants and their families residing in their ancestral countries, where language and cultural barriers often pose challenges.

The Approach🔍

We conducted qualitative and interactive interviews to explore and address any gaps or conflicts experienced by second-generation immigrant users when attempting to communicate with their families back home, highlighting their unique challenges in maintaining effective communication.

Card Sorting

“What holds value for you as a second-generation immigrant, from the following cards?”

Most Important

Least Important

Participant A

Connected w/ ‎ ‎ ‎ family from back ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ home

Learning native ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎culture

Inter-Generational ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Relationships ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Connected w/ ‎ ‎ ‎ family from back ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎home

Heritage Celebration‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Learning native ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ culture

Family Expectations‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Findings📝

Overachieving Theme:

Users barrier to effective communication experienced by second-generation immigrants when attempting to connect with their families back home. Whether it's due to language barriers, cultural disconnect, or geographical distance, these individuals face challenges in maintaining meaningful relationships with their family members.

The Solution🧠

Wireframes

Duration

2 Days, Mar 2024

My Role

UX Designer, UX Researcher

Qualitative Interviews

What has been your experience with learning your language? What do you find most challenging about it?

What methods have you tried in the past to learn your language or about your culture? What worked and what didn't?

Have there been instances where the language barrier has prevented you from having a meaningful conversation with your family? Could you share an example?

“There was this one time my Grandmother was trying to tell me about her days during the war. But, it was tough, I could not understand a thing. Every time she tried to switch to English for me, I could tell she was struggling. And when I gave Arabic a shot, it was, super hard to say anything. It felt like, we were both trying so hard but couldn’t find the words. It felt horrible”

- Participant A

An app designed to rekindle the relationship between second-generation immigrants and their families through engaging prompts. This platform fosters meaningful conversations, deepens cultural understanding, and strengthens familial bonds across the globe.

Sketches

Identity Acceptance ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎