Connecting Aged Parents with Their Adult Children Over Long Distances: Challenges and a Solution

Chen Guo, Xiaohang Zhang, Zhenyu Cheryl Qian, Yingjie Victor Chen

Abstract: Many elderly people are living apart from their children. We want to develop a system that can reinforce the connection and emotional feelings between aged parents and their children by combing new digital technologies with soft and warm leather material. Through an iterative design process that includes user interview and observation, design exploration, low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes, and usability testing, we present a small digital screen attached to an existing leather wallet of the aged parent to receive and display pictures or videos sent from their adult children. By attaching LINK, the old leather wallet serves as an invisible channel, sharing and connecting beautiful family memories without interrupting the private life of either side.