Buoy is an (iOS) app for passersby to hear each other's stories
and spark connections they might otherwise miss.
and spark connections they might otherwise miss.
Role: Conception, Design, Development, Growth
Collaborators: Laurel Pettitt, Illustration
Collaborators: Laurel Pettitt, Illustration
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Xcode
Stack: Swift, Parse Server, MongoDB, AWS
Stack: Swift, Parse Server, MongoDB, AWS
CONCEPTION
We are "connected" with more and more people each day, online and offline, and yet
there are increasing reports of loneliness and isolation in America. This inspired me to create Buoy.
there are increasing reports of loneliness and isolation in America. This inspired me to create Buoy.
The following video from Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows captures
the latent web of humanity and shared experience around us,
in each passerby's story, waiting to be tapped into.
the latent web of humanity and shared experience around us,
in each passerby's story, waiting to be tapped into.
DESIGN
User Research: Through a variety of processes including observation, user interviews, and low-fidelity prototypes, I discovered key needs including the widespread feeling of isolation in cities and high barrier to initiating new, deep connections despite density.
Product Design: Insights from design iterations led to the key product decisions like using audio as the content medium (to encourage unedited and personal content & create accountability despite anonymity) and prioritizing nearby connections (given an observed craving for “real”, can-translate-to-offline friendships).
Branding: I prioritized an aesthetic that looks/feels like a safe and personal space - a strong departure from the publicness of social media - as this is the gap that Buoy is catering to. After creating moodboards of the aspirational vibe, I found and contacted Laurel Pettitt, an illustrator whose style was strongly aligned, to create the illustrations for Buoy.
Image on left is painted by me, and right two images are from another artist's now-deactivated Behance Portfolio
Final Illustration by Laurel Pettitt.
DEVELOPMENT
I developed the first version of Buoy to include the following core features:
1) Record a short audio clip or "Buoy"
2) Discover other nearby users and their "Buoys"
3) Chat with nearby users whose "Buoys" you resonate with.
1) Record a short audio clip or "Buoy"
2) Discover other nearby users and their "Buoys"
3) Chat with nearby users whose "Buoys" you resonate with.
with the following stack:
Swift, Parse Server (Node.js), MongoDB, AWS
Swift, Parse Server (Node.js), MongoDB, AWS
Core development decisions I made were:
1) Utilizing Apple's MultiPeer Connectivity framework to facilitate the discovery of nearby users and the exchange of Buoys and chat messages via Bluetooth.
2) Choosing the open source Parse Server as my BAAS.
1) Utilizing Apple's MultiPeer Connectivity framework to facilitate the discovery of nearby users and the exchange of Buoys and chat messages via Bluetooth.
2) Choosing the open source Parse Server as my BAAS.
GROWTH
From initial user research to iterative findings, it was clear that to counter isolation, we needed to create sustainable forms of community. This meant that connection could not just function in silo'd digital spaces, but must spill out, work in synergy with, and be reinforced by the built environments we live in.
Therefore, it was important that Buoy was rooted in and expanding through physical spaces, and led to the creation of "Buoy Hubs". Buoy Hubs are small businesses and inclusive spaces that we partner & cohost gatherings with in each neighborhood to introduce Buoy and foster "IRL" connections.
We've hosted neighborhood events with our first two community partners and independent coffee shops, Backyard Brew and Cafe Zoë. Our first event/collaboration with Backyard Brew a couple of months ago, involved 30 people sitting in a large circle, each taking 2 min (a buoy) to speak what was on their mind, and walk away with connections they can follow up with, even from afar.
There has been positive engagement with Buoy in user sign ups, conversion to content creation, and in connections/attendance at our neighborhood events. We're excited to continue improving the app for users and expanding in partnership with neighborhood spaces and businesses like these!
