Rememo
The idea of digital life after death is a significant issue that needs design help. As designers, we can make the end-of-life digital experience better and find ways for future generations to access our cherished digital memories like photos and tweets.
In grad school, my partner and I worked on a class project to solve this problem. I led the design part, and my partner did market research. Given the limited timeframe, our primary goal was to develop a solution rather than creating the most optimal one.
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
2020 Jan-Mar
Tools
Figma, Premier Pro, Google Suite
Digital life after death
Problem
The dead are becoming increasingly present in cyberspace. Dead profiles on Facebook were estimated to be increasing at a rate of 19,000 daily. Sometimes by the end of the century, depending on Facebook’s user growth rate, the dead profiles are even expected to exceed the number of living users, thereby creating a form of the digital graveyard. This development opens up new opportunities for commercial enterprises to monetize the digital afterlife of departed Internet users. But it also poses some severe challenges regarding the ethical status of such data.
Utilize digital memories to build an emotional connection between the living and the deceased
Design Challenge
The process of digital life after death is an issue that urgently needs design intervention. As designers, we can facilitate a smooth digital end-of-life experience and rethinking how future generations may be able to access the digital memories captured in our photographs, tweets, and various bits and bytes of mementos.
Rememo is a digital afterlife system that allows people to preserve data, curate, and share memories of friends and family who have passed away
Solution
Rememo
SYNC YOUR ACCOUNTS
Connect memories from all of your accounts and import everything that matters
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Your personal service helps you to seamlessly curate digital memories and leaving an emotional impact even after we pass away
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LEGACY
CONTACT
Choose a family member, a friend
or simply someone important to share your memories and stories together
RECORD
& LISTEN
Give your voice to your personal
memories and surprise your loved
ones. Rememo AI will capture key
words and suggest memories
ORGANIZE & FILTER
Rememo AI will help you organize
and alter your memories based
on the chosen legacy contact
CREATE YOUR UNIQUE MEMORY LANE
Generate your personalized memory lane. Add photos, videos, and every memory you want to leave to your love ones
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MORE SCREENS
MARKETING VIDEO
Phase one /
DISCOVER
We conduct in-depth interviews in order to dig deeper into the topic and discover users’ needs. After developing an online survey in which we received more than 60 responses. We realized that digital users don’t have the knowledge to deal with their data afterlife.
1
SECONDARY RESEARCH
To understand the market better, we conducted secondary research. We decided to do popular media scan research. The research was useful to understand even more the actual problems and opportunities
4 IN 10
Only Americans have
a will or a living trust
LACK
of support information provided to Facebook users in the case someone dies
2
MARKET
ANALYSIS
We used Porter's Five Forces to analyze the competitive rivals, potential entrants, suppliers, customers, and substitute products that may influence our final solution. We also mapped the 2x2 matrix helped us map various services offered to users to manage their digital life after death. We discovered opportunity areas of the saturated market and areas where there may be an opportunity to improve the overall experience.
8000
Facebook users die
everyday
$31 BILLION
Collectively amounts of
digital assets value
Bargaining
Power of Supply
In the market, the data is seen as currency, however, right now users are not paid for giving away their data
Low
High
Threat of
New Entrants
The market is new and growing, and companies who are going after data are starting to be interested in retaining data even after death. Moreover, entering the market is easy due to low regulation
Bargaining
Power of Buyer
Its a new industry, users are still trying to adapt to idea of data after life
Threat of
Substitutes
Options available on the market are growing,
however they are not easy to find and rely on
Low
Low
Low
2X2 AXIS
ANALYSIS
High Value
Google Datbot
Safe Beyond
Ethernite
Insta
Snapchat
High
Accessible
Google Cloud
Low
Accessible
Digital Death
Legacy Locker
Low Value
3
NETWORK
ANALYSIS
To analyze the stakeholders involved in the ecosystem, we mapped out into a stakeholder map. The map helped us identify all stakeholders involved and their interests. It also helped us ensure that we had the right representation of voices in the room.
Heir
02
Partner
Family &
Friends
04
Designer
Hacker
Data
Analyst
Dying Person
01
03
Laywer
Insurance
Attorney
Dying Person
Anyone who is suffering from a illness or could die soon in the future and is concerned about data afterlife
01
Heir
Anyone who has recently lost their loved one and has/hasn't been able to nominate a legacy contact
02
Attorney Agency
Anyone who has experienced with data management afterlife
Data Analyst
Anyone who deals with account setting at Facebook and other digital platforms
03
04
4
USER
RESEARCH
Upon completion of stakeholder maps in the previous sections, we planned to conduct in-depth research in order to dig deeper into the problems and real user needs. After defining our user group, we started developing survey (57) questions to further develop the topic and to understand the user and needs.
Dying Person
Anyone who is suffering from a illness or could die soon in the future and is concerned about data afterlife
15
Heir
Anyone who has recently lost their loved one and has/hasn't been able to nominate as legacy contact
02
Attorney Agency
Anyone who has experienced with data management afterlife
Data Analyst
Anyone who deals with account setting at Facebook and other digital platforms
01
02
2%
42%
20%
70%
15%
6%
30%
28%
24%
15%
Hard Drive
icloud
Dropbox
Google Drive
Where do you store/upload/leave most of your online data?
?
SURVEY
RESULTS
60
IN-DEPTH
INTERVIEWS
Upon completion of stakeholder maps in the previous sections, we planned to conduct in-depth research in order to dig deeper into the problems and real user needs. After defining our user group, we started developing survey (57) questions to further develop the topic and to understand the user and needs.
“I’m worried that the data I leave
behind will not reflect my personality”
INTERVIEW
QOUTES
“(...) Keep for my next generation”
What would you like to do with your personal data when you pass away?
"I have seen photos and video could be a good medium to tell a story"
“(...) Give it to my kids and tell them my story and thoughts”
“(...) I hear that the process to get data for my loved ones is long and stressful ”
What kind of data do you value the most?
?
Text, Calls, Voice messages
Photos & Videos
Work Documents
Work-related files
Entertainment Files
Medical records
“(...) I would like to transmit a
lesson and tell them my story”
Plans to give the data to the kids to tell
them a story and thoughts
Phase two /
DEFINE
Once we had everything we started affinitizing and organizing our data points and insights. What emerged was that the people interviewed expressed the desire to leave an impact on the world through their data even if they lack the necessary knowledge and tools to do it.
5
CREATIVE
BRIEF
The more time we spend online, the more we scatter pieces of ourselves around the web that together form pictures of our real lives, identity, tastes, preferences, habits, and opinions. Its a concept many of us don't give much thought, but what happens when you die in this world and the virtual parts of you go on existing?
This project aims to identify the current role of digital data in people's lives and explore new ways for remaining their experience with data afterlife.
For people who are more likely to spend time and money on digital assets rather than physical media
Preserving one's digital afterlife creates a dual opportunity. One can preserve data and memories while simultaneously taking comfort in the digital stories and support memories
WHO
WHY
WHAT
A digital afterlife system that allows people to preserve data and share memories of friends and family who have passed away
EMPATHY MAPS
& PERSONAS
After the primary research and insights, we set back together and we started organizing our data points and insights from the survey and secondary research and in-depth interviews.
We did empathy maps to gain deeper insights into the users. We split the empathy maps into 6 quadrants (Who, Think&Feel, See, Do, Say, and Hear), with the user in the middle. Empathy maps provided us a glance into who a user is as a whole and their needs.
Someone who is suffering from an illness or would die soon in the future
Age group - 45-80
User
group one
I don’t know how to set up an heir for my digital accounts
I want to do something with my data but I do not know how
WHO
FEEL
I heard digital data afterlife can be important in the future
I hear that the process to get data for my loved ones is long and stressful
I would like to keep
meaningful photos and
information that my family would need
HEAR
Dying
Person
SEE
I have seen photos and video could be a good medium to tell a story
I see people share stories of their deceased loved ones on social media
SAY
DO
I think my son would keep my data very carefully and I believe he would rely on it to remember me
Transfer data for the next generation as lessons
I often go back to photos that I have online to cherish the good times
Plans to give the data to the kids to tell them a story and thoughts
PAINS
Uncertainty of knowing what to do with the data
No awareness about data management afterlife
Worried about how the family will overcome the mourning process
GAINS
If I can actually manage to do something with my data, it will be a surprise to my love ones
Stories and lessons I have learned in my life can be transmitted thought out generations in my family
6
KEY
INSIGHTS
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Storytelling
People like storytelling as the method to transmit their data to their loved ones
Awareness
People are not aware how to deal with data afterlife
Trust
People do not trust digital platforms will use their data in the future
Impact
People want to leave an impact on the world through their work even after they are gone
Improve Service
People find existing services lacking in emotional support and user experience
Filter
People want to filter their data to make sure to leave only the necessary behind for their loved ones
Physical Entity
People want to leave their data in a physical entity as in the future the physicality of the object would disappear
Phase three /
DEVELOP
To generate ideas we organized a brainstorming session that was done with the whole class. We used the five E’s method to touch different moments in the user journey. The brainstorming session included creating a quick drawing that simplifies the ideas and concepts that the participants wanted to express. The best ideas were voted and selected at the end.
7
CONCEPT
GENERATION
The conception started with a brainstorming session that was done with the whole class. We used 5'Es - Entice - Enter - Engage - Exit - Extent to brainstorm different ideas for different moments in the user journey. The brainstorming session included creating quick drawings that simplify ideas and concepts.
After the brainstorm session, we started affinitization process using a design matric divided into four categories Not different - Not good, Different not good, Good but not different, Different and good. We positioned each idea on the selected spot and then we combined similar ideas and selected the one that showed more Opportunites.
From the idea selected we created our objective - the design criteria that we wanted to keep in mind while designing the signal service-solution.
Awareness
Increase awareness about
data afterlife and creating a easy and clear selection
of the legacy contact
In one place
Easy connection of
all digital memories
Organize and Filter
Organize and filter
memories based
on the chosen Legacy contact by AI
Curate Memories
Enhance personal
memories by giving
them a voice
KEY
FEATURES
8
IDEATION
& TESTING
To generate ideas we organized a brainstorming session that was done with the whole class. We used the five E’s method to touch different moments in the user journey. The brainstorming session included creating a quick drawing that simplifies the ideas and concepts that the participants wanted to express. The best ideas were voted and selected at the end.
“(...) Will I be able to share memories?”
After developing and reviewing our paper prototype, we tested our paper prototype with our users would have to take. We mapped out before, during and after stages of our service.
CARD
SORTING
After developing and reviewing our paper prototype, we tested our paper prototype with our users would have to take. We mapped out before, during and after stages of our service.
USER
TESTING
LOW FIDELITY
PROTOTYPE
After the paper prototype and initial user testing, we developed our service blueprint and refined our user flow. Based on the feedback, we update our paper prototype.
Onboarding screens
Splash screens
Data curation screens
SERVICE
BLUEPRINT
After finalizing all the features and paper prototyping, we finalized our service blueprint to review the entire process of service delivery, by listing all the activities that happen at each stage.
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Phase four /
DELIVER
9
BUSINESS
MODEL
An easy and meaningful way to access data
Creating an emotional connection between the living and the deceased
(Emotional support)
Adding more value to the data once the users
Increasing awareness regarding legacy contact and digital data afterlife
KP
KA
VP
CS
RS
CR
CS
C
KR
Ancestry
Insurance
Lawyers
Financial
advisors
Someone who has the desire to leave and pass by his/her data to loved ones and family
Someone who is dying from some decease and see his/her time-limited and wants to leave story/impact on the family. Someone curious about the platform who wants to store and collect data of their
loved ones
Collect and curate data
Maintain the platform
Expand the services
Get started with lawyer firms
Digital support through help page
Direct marketing
App developers
Customer sources
Gathered data
Privacy policies
Encrypted data
Advertisement on social media, lawyer, financial advisor and insurance
First degree network
Word of mouth
Marketing advertisement
Data container R&D
Commission to delivery service
General administration cost
life time subscription
One time payment with 14 days trial
Different fare plans ($199, $299)
Data collection
We build the design systems to provide a reference for a consistent look and feel across the platforms. The voice and tone intend to deliver a sense of energy and efficiency.
VALUE
HYPOTHESIS
WHO
FOR
A private business who value digital data and its emotional value
People who value their digital data and want to leave an emotional impact with their data to their loved ones
SERVICE
A personal service that helps you to seamlessly curate digital memories and leave an emotional impact even after we pass away
PROVIDES
A platform to collect, organize, filter and curate data for your loved ones
UNLIKE
Other services and platforms who do not add meaningful experience to the data
SOLUTION
Give users an easy assess to personal data and curate memory lane for their loved ones
VISUAL
SYSTEM
1
Taking into consideration of the brand pyramid, We developed our brand identity. The name Rememo is inspired by the notion of remembering memories and moments. The shades of orange indicate and radiate warmth and energy, which stimulates the emotional connection while curating memories. Blue is the color of trust - which would simulate the emotion of trusting the platform with users' digital data and create something special and meaningful for their loved ones.
What I learned
Alliance: To keep your team together and involved throughout the process, the research findings must be shared and discussed together. The users and their pain points need to be acknowledged when making any conclusions as a team.
Aesthetic preference is real: Users are fascinated with products that are well designed. Users during our demo testing were fascinated by the colorful and playful palette of our solution and we're excited to participate in demo testing. The delicacy of the problem was well balanced by the fresh and colorful look and feel of our product