Grammaphone

How can we help aging loved ones stay connected through devices we already own? 

Overview

Grammaphone is a platform that upcycles older tablets into friendly smartphones for the elderly. Familiar form factors and an intuitive UI reduce distractions and distill important features:

  • Phone calls
  • FaceTime and video messaging
  • Photo sharing and printing
  • "Answering machine" for texts and video messages

The application also connects with family members' personal devices, syncing calendars and contacts to prompt frequent communication. 

SCOPE

January - March 2016

SVA MFA Interaction Design

Role: Design, fabrication, development, UX research

Teammates: Andrea Cameron and Arjun Kalyanpur

Research

According to the Pew Research Center, 82% of of seniors 65+ say they would feel uncomfortable learning to use a new technology device such as a smartphone or tablet on their own. Though, 79% of older adult internet users agree: people without internet access are at a real disadvantage because of all the information they might be missing. Research also suggests single people over the age of 70 suffer from loneliness, as they are physically and digitally isolated from their younger loved ones. 

We believe they need a better way to stay in-touch with family and friends who regularly use newer communication technologies.

Hela_Chat copy.jpg

Above, I attempt to FaceTime with my paternal grandmother. Below, I have shared mobile experiences from my maternal grandmother and a few friends at the Fairfax Assisted Living & Retirement Residence.

ProToypes

In addition to qualitative interviews and quantitative market analysis, we prototyped extensively. We also had the opportunity to user-test variations of our product and application within the Fairfax Assisted Living Center, where I spent much of my summer while working in Washington D.C.

Rounds I & II

Round III

Round IV