Bridge

Through surveying 84 participants, we identified key obstacles such as time zone differences, busy schedules, language barriers, and cultural gaps that often prevent meaningful communication between younger users and their older relatives. Many shared stories of missed opportunities to engage, from simple greetings lost in translation to a lack of common topics to discuss. These insights revealed a significant unmet need, while younger generations use digital tools constantly, older family members are often left out or feel overwhelmed by technology. Existing apps focus on quick check-ins rather than fostering deeper, shared experiences. Inspired by these findings, we designed an app to bridge this gap, offering personalized conversation prompts and an adaptive user interface that caters to all ages, encouraging meaningful and inclusive interactions within families.

Our MVP for Planer started as a shared calendar concept, allowing users to log travel plans and view their friends’ trips in one place. We focused on visual clarity by incorporating features like color coding, a monthly view, and the option for a more detailed daily view. Initially, we assumed users would prefer a calendar layout and introduced a friends list tab to toggle visibility. Early versions used subtle dots to indicate overlapping trips, but usability testing showed these were often overlooked. In response, we redesigned the interface with bold overlap bars and added friends’ profile photos directly on shared dates, making trip overlaps more visible and connections easier to recognize.

Bridge was honored as one of the top 5 projects selected for final presentation. We had the opportunity to pitch our work to an audience of industry professionals, faculty, and fellow students, receiving positive feedback for our user-centered approach, accessibility, and emotional impact. This recognition affirmed the value of our solution and highlighted the importance of designing for connection across generations.