Design Process
Science Background
On the scientific level, Engram conforms to the mechanism of the human brain to store memories and helps users deepen their memories.
- Memory Creation
Our brain sends signals in a particular pattern associated with the event we’re experiencing and creates connections between our neurons, called synapses.
Reference: https://www.fastcompany.com/3028359/6-science-backed-methods-to-improve-your-memory - Memory Consolidation
We begin to store memories when we are 3 years old. The human brain is said to have the memory capacity of 150 billion computers (80 gigabytes of storage on average). Our brains help us sort out important things for long-term memory and more trivial things for short-term memory.
If we didn’t do anything further, that memory would fall right out of our heads again. Consolidation is the process of committing it to long-term memory so we can recall it later.
Reference: https://www.fastcompany.com/3028359/6-science-backed-methods-to-improve-your-memory - Memory Recall
Researchers at the Centre for Human Brain Health at the university of Birmingham have reconstructed the memory retrieval process using brain-decoding technology. It turns out that when we recall something from the past, the brain reconstructs the experience in reverse order, recovering the "gist" first -- and then recalling more specific details, which is contrast to how the brain processes images for the first time. We can find a point to stimulate memory and then recall the whole thing.
Reference: https://www.fastcompany.com/3028359/6-science-backed-methods-to-improve-your-memory
User Survey
Through user surveys, the target users of Engram will be:
- Young generation people, mostly from ages 18-35
- People who like to record their life with their parents
- People who lack methods of recording the common details in their life
- People who are willing to create more memories with their parents
Competitive Analysis
User Journey Mapping
In Engram, there are 3 main phases: record, customize and reflect. Engram records users’ life hints automatically. Italso enables users to customize their memory, like adding descriptions to supplement the parts that can’t be detectedautomatically by Engram. Then, Engram offers a function of reflecting for users to recall their memories.
Storyboarding
People who can't spend much time with their parents
People who can stay with their parents often
User-Centered Design Canvas
This canvas confirmed that Engram cansolve the problem of this project and meet the needs of users and the market.
Firstly, automatic record can solve theproblem that it’s hard for people to record every second and those common things in their life. And these are thethings that we experience most with our parents. Record of virtual interaction with parents can solve the problemthat users can’t meet their parents in person. Reflecting mode can help users to recall memories.
Secondly, Engramis different from existing apps. It records memory based on memory hints and offers a throwback function.
