Ginger Poole
Senior Product Designer

Pop-Up

A digital solution to help the loneliest generation.

Finding a solution for loneliness

Cigna conducted the largest study on loneliness ever undertaken in the U.S. - 20,000 surveyed and found that 18-22 year olds were the loneliest generation.

  • I created a concept for addressing this issue with an app to schedule spur-of the moment group pop-ups for college students and young professionals

  • I worked on this idea in my spare time

  • I conceptualized, designed, created the pitch deck and presented the idea. 

Pop-ups are small (4-8) people that anyone can host and anyone can attend around a topic or interest. They have to be at approved public places and take place 1-48 hours from being posted.

"I think loneliness is a problem for our generation."
- College student

Interviews

At the discovery phase of my project, I shared this idea with three college students.

Guiding Questions:

  • I was curious to find out if college students would initiate pop-ups. I found they would only do it if they were freshmen(didn't know anyone), were able to network with professionals,  or could use it to create study groups.

  • They also felt it would be more beneficial as young professionals or in community colleges.

  • They suggested having Facebook Contacts imported so they may know someone who knows someone.

  • The idea of a group of strangers getting together was not comfortable for this age group.

  • They also said they would like an algorithm matching people and interests.

A digital solution for the loneliest generation

Sketches

Example

I did some quick sketches in Sketch to have screen shots for the pitch deck.

  • Initially i wanted to show what a sample app could look like.

  • I chose this version with the location icon to show that these pop-ups are location based. The app would send you a notification when you are near a popup with your interests.

A digital solution for the loneliest generation

Wireframes

I created a few screens to show the interaction

  • This shows the location/map, topic and time

  • Rating for host & rating for venue

  • Bar code for discount off of venue's product

  • Button to sign up

  • You can see in the navigation you can save pop-up friends that you meet so you never have to exchange information

A digital solution for the loneliest generation

UI Design

I chose the popular graduated fills to influence the user with trustworthy but lively color.

Finding the right partner would be key.

This project inspired me to go further.

I learned to pitch innovative concepts and not to give up when confronted with barriers but to use every obstacle as an opportunity to get the idea right. 

  • The biggest problems centered around funding and fear

  • I was not able to overcome these obstacles...yet.

I'm already thinking of pivoting this idea to create a networking site for young professionals and college students ( spur-of-the-moment mentoring). Also creating one for spur-of-the-moment volunteering those folks who want to give back whenever they have a free hour or two.