The
MotherBoard
The
MotherBoard
Synchronous Digital Communication Whiteboards
Synchronous Digital Communication Whiteboards
Timeline
Timeline
10 weeks
Winter 2024
10 weeks
Winter 2024
Course
Course
Design
Methods
Design
Methods
Skills/TOOLS
Skills/TOOLS
User Research
UI/UX
Figma
Prototyping
User Testing
Participatory
Design
User Research
UI/UX
Figma
Prototyping
User Testing
Participatory Design
Team
Team
Madeline Baulch
Lia Chon
Su Tammana
Madeline Baulch
Lia Chon
Su Tammana
PROMPT
PROMPT
Supporting Mindful Parenting
Supporting Mindful Parenting
What happens to parent-child relationships when kids become young-adults and move out? What does communication look like now that they are apart? And how can we continue to strengthen familial bonds despite physical distance?
As students living away from parents, our group explored the different mother-daughter dynamics post move-out and how we could support mindful parenting through this lens.
What happens to parent-child relationships when kids become young-adults and move out? What does communication look like now that they are apart? And how can we continue to strengthen familial bonds despite physical distance?
As students living away from parents, our group explored the different mother-daughter dynamics post move-out and how we could support mindful parenting through this lens.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Understanding the Mother-Daughter Relationship With Care
Understanding the Mother-Daughter Relationship With Care
We interviewed 3 pairs about their relationship, followed by an individual questionnaire that allowed for more intimate responses. 9 other pairs refused to participate due to vulnerability, which informed us of the sensitivity of the topic
We interviewed 3 pairs about their relationship, followed by an individual questionnaire that allowed for more intimate responses. 9 other pairs refused to participate due to vulnerability, which informed us of the sensitivity of the topic
INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
Synthesizing Rich, Nuanced Data into Concise Insights
Synthesizing Rich, Nuanced Data into Concise Insights
Our greatest challenge was organizing our data with an affinity diagram since each pair had such unique experiences. Ultimately, we focused on these insights:
Our greatest challenge was organizing our data with an affinity diagram since each pair had such unique experiences. Ultimately, we focused on these insights:
Balancing Boundaries
Mothers are reassured of their daughter's wellbeing being in the same household. When daughters move out, mothers are more wary of appearing controlling vs showing care when reaching out.
Mothers are reassured of their daughter's wellbeing being in the same household. When daughters move out, mothers are more wary of appearing controlling vs showing care when reaching out.
Lack of Quality Time
Rich connection exists in non-verbal cues that were previously experienced in face-to-face interaction. When apart, not being able to see one another in real time causes concerns for the unknown.
Rich connection exists in non-verbal cues that were previously experienced in face-to-face interaction. When apart, not being able to see one another in real time causes concerns for the unknown.
Growing the Relationship
The parent/child relationship has an opportunity to expand because of a daughter's newfound retrospective appreciation of their mother as they encounter the challenges of "adulting".
The parent/child relationship has an opportunity to expand because of a daughter's newfound retrospective appreciation of their mother as they encounter the challenges of "adulting".
BASED ON OUR INSIGHTS
BASED ON OUR INSIGHTS
How might we foster emotional connection between long distance mothers and young-adult daughters as they navigate their new relationship dynamic?
How might we foster emotional connection between long distance mothers and young-adult daughters as they navigate their new relationship dynamic?
IDEATION
60 Ideas —> 3 Concepts
60 Ideas —> 3 Concepts
Addressing our research question, we iterated 60 ideas. Then, we narrowed down to three, before settling on a final direction.
Addressing our research question, we iterated 60 ideas. Then, we narrowed down to three, before settling on a final direction.
The Motherboard
The Motherboard
A collaborative digital whiteboard that lives on your fridge. When someone draws on the board, the sketch projects onto the other’s fridge.
Facilitates a casual practice to keep in touch non-invasively, taking off pressure for mothers to ask what their child is doing
A collaborative digital whiteboard that lives on your fridge. When someone draws on the board, the sketch projects onto the other’s fridge.
Facilitates a casual practice to keep in touch non-invasively, taking off pressure for mothers to ask what their child is doing
Call Your Mama Installation
Call Your Mama Installation
A Mother’s Day public installation that visualizes data responses to 3 interactive prompts about a mother’s perspective.
Young-adults learn about mothers’ wishes for their relationship with their children and for themselves as an individual. This prompts them to consider their own mother’s wishes.
A Mother’s Day public installation that visualizes data responses to 3 interactive prompts about a mother’s perspective.
Young-adults learn about mothers’ wishes for their relationship with their children and for themselves as an individual. This prompts them to consider their own mother’s wishes.
Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-Me-Nots
A mechanical flower bouquet that wilts from poor communication and thrives with strong communication between mothers and their child.
We quickly decided not to proceed with this idea due to critique about its dystopian nature
A mechanical flower bouquet that wilts from poor communication and thrives with strong communication between mothers and their child.
We quickly decided not to proceed with this idea due to critique about its dystopian nature
Participatory Design
Understanding How Users Want to Interact
Understanding How Users Want to Interact
In order to have our design truly user-centered, we hosted a hybrid participant workshop that engaged users to decide the features and interactions of the product.
In order to have our design truly user-centered, we hosted a hybrid participant workshop that engaged users to decide the features and interactions of the product.
The online workshop simulated the exchange of drawings to show us what kind of content would be shared
The online workshop simulated the exchange of drawings to show us what kind of content would be shared
Design Insights
Spontaneous, raw characteristics of a low fidelity drawing made them “feel good” and “happy”
Sharing seemingly mundane details, like a grocery list or current mood, still stimulated meaningful conversations. They enjoyed the aspect of being able to “fill in the blanks”.
The in-person workshop focused on the functionality of the product.
The in-person workshop focused on the functionality of the product.
Design Insights
Participants wanted the device to have a customizable layout for freedom to personalize its organization
An option to turn it off would provide them a valued sense privacy when friends are over
Emojis can allow them to express contextual emotions and attitudes well
Participants wanted the device to have a customizable layout for freedom to personalize its organization
An option to turn it off would provide them a valued sense privacy when friends are over
Emojis can allow them to express contextual emotions and attitudes well
Both participant groups shared dislike towards a hi-tech or lush aesthetic; they preferred something familiar, nostalgic, and simple.
Both participant groups disliked the hi-tech or lush aesthetic; they preferred something familiar, nostalgic, and simple.
Without the workshopS
Without the workshopS
Our board would not have its key features that addressed participants’ desire for more free-range usage, accommodations for non-drawers, privacy, and non-invasive reminders to interact.
Our board would not have its key features that addressed participants’ desire for more free-range usage, accommodations for non-drawers, privacy, and non-invasive reminders to interact.
Prototyping
Prototyping
Building a Mock-Up For Testing & Showcase
Building a Mock-Up For Testing & Showcase
INTRODUCING
The MotherBoard
INTRODUCING
The MotherBoard
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
Overview Poster
Overview Poster
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
Design Method Process Poster
Design Method Process Poster
VIDEO
VIDEO
A Snapshot of Our Product In Use
A Snapshot of Our Product In Use
