SCOPE
UX | UI | Naming | Research | Brand Identity | Illustration | production
VIBES
🏡🕊🌱
YEAR
2023
Grad project 🎓
Animation by Alina Falin
Meta*noia - Ancient Greek [1577]
The journey to changing one’s mind, heart, and self; to expand it in such a way as to have a new perspective on the world or oneself.
A spiritual conversation.
01
Summary
02
Context
One for the brain 🧠 ↳ According to many studies, open dialogue and exposed interaction between partners is very powerful because it allows us to include another human being within our identity. The intimate details that the couple shares during the conversation create closeness. Talking openly and sharing with our partners helps us feel closer and understand each other better. Research shows that when we discuss compromises ahead of time, even when things are going well, it strengthens our relationship.
One for the heart 🫀 ↳ Ultimately, everyone desires to feel understood and valued in a relationship where their needs, desires, and values are respected. When you invite someone into your life, they become an integral part of your identity, and vice versa. This is the foundation for creating a joyful, nurturing, and enjoyable home, strengthening the bond between you both, and embarking on a thrilling journey toward the future together.
The wizard takes you on a guided journey. Instead of seeking out specific values, the process encourages you to wander through them, exploring and uncovering what each one reveals about your relationship. The interface is designed for a slower, more thoughtful approach—one of discovery, observation, and deep reflection.
1/4 - Review
To start, each partner gets to express their personal and inner world. We begin with seven thought-provoking questions, each revealing something about the person— their approach, perspective, or values in life. Partners take turns filling in their answers on their side of the screen. This offers a peek into everyone's perspective based on the visuals they've encountered. Once they finish, they land on their shared profile page where all their answers come together.
2.1/4 - Discover
This is where they find their common ground. As they explore the space, they encounter values in a journey of discovery—dragging and uncovering more as they go. The map at the center keeps them anchored, offering a sense of security within the canvas.
When they linger on a particular value, a pop-up screen appears with a brief explanation. They can then decide to add that value to their list.
2.2/4 - Discover (2nd View)
They decide to switch things up and toggle to the index view — here, they can scroll through a list of all the options in an organized format.
After reaching their seven out of sevn values they complete the task. They are given the choice to either move on to the next stage (Focus) or keep wandering. Let's opt for the next level.
3/4 - Focus
At this point, they delve deeper into each value they added to their list of values. They turn his detail from generic to personal. What does the value "honesty" mean specifically for them? Here is the place to elaborate.
The detail helps the interface understand the couple's language better, and what they wrote is added to their shared vision board, which we will see at the end of the process.
4/4 - Create
This is where the couple experiences their values and answers transformed into visuals.
On the right, they see the seven values they picked, and can select each one to understand how it's visually represented in their unique symbol. They can see why each visual element was chosen to embody the value. By default, the illustrations reflect the couple's initial answers from the questionnaire, but they can switch to a cultural representation that feels more aligned with them if they prefer.
04
Challenges & Solutions
Creating this platform involved tackling some tricky challenges and touchy points, especially since we're navigating some sensitive scenarios.
Here are a few of them:
Meeting the challenge of making sure both partners are heard equally and without bias—starting with questions on a split screen to keep things balanced from the get-go.
Up until now, couples have seen an illustration of the symbol. Just before checkout, this stage gives couples a sneak peek at how they'll receive the symbol physically, complete with a 3D view to help them visualize it. This way, they get a clear picture of the process, the layers of the symbol, and what to expect when
it arrives.
Being mindful of various cultures and understanding that symbols can hold different meanings—or even be offensive—in some. It's crucial to respect each other’s cultural backgrounds to avoid misunderstandings. That's why we allow couples to swap out visual representations of each term; for instance, if a sheep doesn't resonate, they can choose a horse instead.
Guiding couples to zero in on a few key values and showing why they matter in shaping their home's identity. We make sure they fully grasp the reasoning behind their choices.
Creating a space where couples can connect and understand each other on a deeper level. Everyone comes with their own beliefs and cultural backgrounds, so it's crucial to really get where each other is coming from during discussions. The Discover and Focus sections give couples a solid starting point for talking about and expanding on each person's most important values and beliefs.
Visual Language
My goal was to create a 'transparent' and welcoming interface that guides the process and brings out values naturally. It provides a solid foundation for deep, calm discussions. I aimed for a design that breathes, allowing space for creativity and focus, harmony and calmness, openness and honesty.
01
Circular Concept
I went with a graphic motif of circles. In the logo, the circles invite dialogue, while in the symbols and across the interface, they represent infinity.
The interface begins with a symbolic interaction—the couple drags one circle to another, creating a shared space between them.
This action opens up the interface.
02
Color Palette
In terms of the color palette, I chose soft, calming colors that create a breathing space and keep the focus on the process and conversation. The colors are clean, harmonious, and gentle. I wanted to incorporate a touch of sanctity with shades of green as a symbol of renewal and a hint of light neon for a touch
of light.
03
Typography
The clean and elegant typeface adds modernity to the design, while still maintaining readability.
Zoom Ons
01
Digital Shared Vision Page
Their Shared Vision Page resembles a virtual 'Ktubah,' detailing the values they've chosen along with the couple's personal elaborations from the Focus section. All this information is easily accessible in their profile as well.
02
360 3D Preview
To aid customers in visualizing the appearance of the final symbol they will receive, in terms of its layers and composition, I integrated a brief 3D 360° snippet prior to checkout.
02
"Create" Options
To aid customers in visualizing the appearance of the final symbol they will receive, in terms of its layers and composition, I integrated a brief 3D 360° snippet prior to checkout.
The Symbols
I wanted the symbols to convey a sense of new, spiritual beginnings—pure, hopeful, and almost sacred. Something classic, elegant, and timeless, which is why I chose white.
The symbols are crafted from wood to capture a natural, organic feel. Each one consists of layers, reflecting the journey the couple takes to connect and reach their final, shared creation.
The illustrations feature elegant, delicate lines, while also providing each character with unique traits that add warmth and character.
Meanings & Cultural Sensitivity
The meaning behind each visual translation of a value is inspired by three cultural traditions: Arabian, Western, and Eastern.
Hover to view the meaning behind each figure
Behind the Scenes
Mark each value and understand how it was translated visually in the symbol itself. The couple calls out why this sheep was chosen as a symbol of independence.
By default, the illustrations that will be shown will be according to the couple's answers in the questionnaire at the beginning, but they have the option to change to a cultural representation that they may be more connected to, for example - the zebra that symbolizes independence in the Eastern culture or the horse in the Arab one.
01
User Research And Analysis
The main focus of the project is around 50 dynamic couples who are starting the journey of creating their dream home. We've collected insights straight from these couples through thoughtful conversations, backed up by our own experiences in home-building.
Throughout the process, I aimed to give couples a chance to actively participate in creating their symbol, letting them express themselves as a pair, create together, and make joint decisions. I wanted the system to feel personal and meaningful for them, fostering a deeper connection.
The interface is designed for flexibility and the ability to generate more symbols over time, reflecting the changing and evolving nature of relationships. Couples can revisit previous symbols and shared vision boards they’ve made, serving as reminders and records of their relationship over time—a kind of time capsule.
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