Brand

Context

Horizon is a conceptual product that enables long-distance couples to share experiences with each other through immersive video calls or visual voice messages.

Duration 4 months

Credits The New School

Role

Research ✺ User Experience Design ✺ User Interface Design ✺ Mixed Reality ✺ Art Direction ✺ Prototyping ✺ Digital Product Design

For his Capstone project, Dhruvil went through a complete step-by-step process of product design, from conceptualizing to creating an MVP1. He single-handedly conducted qualitative and quantitative research across five rounds to develop a research-backed immersive working prototype.

Context

Every long-distance relationship has its share of time differences ✺ making navigating physical separation and maintaining emotional closeness even more challenging.

－30%

Real-time conversations between LDR couples due to time zone differences

45%

LDR couples with significant time differences experience lower relationship satisfaction than 20% of couples with minor time differences

50%

LDR couples with significant time differences experience delayed or miscommunication at least once a week

Users

Dhruvil deep-dived into the relationships of Gen-Z and Millennial couples ✺ aged 20 to 35 ✺ who currently are or have been in an inter-city/state/country/continental long-distance relationship ✺ for up to 5 years ✺ to learn about their experience before and during their LDR.

83%

Short-term LDR couples, lean towards frequent virtual dates to enhance intimacy

100%

Long-term and older couples value intimacy through consistent communication over the need for frequent virtual dates

Insight

Consistent conversions are the key ✺ The fundamentals are updating and being informed about recent events ✺ staying connected through frequent video calls ✺ and planning future adventures together.

100%

Couples video call each other at least once every 24 hours

2h

Average duration of a voice/video call conversation per day

Challenge

How might we help long-distance couples ✺ foster a sense of presence and familiarity ✺ by enabling them to explore the world by each other’s side?

Inspiration

Drawing inspiration from the staples in conversations between LDR couples ✺ Horizon offers an immersive experience for partners to digitally live and share in-real-life experiences despite the physical distance.

Horizon

Drawing inspiration from the staples in conversations between LDR couples ✺ Horizon offers an immersive experience for partners to digitally live and share in-real-life experiences despite the physical distance.

A smart glasses experience

With 180-degree wide-angled cameras on smart glasses, user can record, share, and view immersive video and photo content.

A smart phone experience

With spherical projections and IRL rendering on smartphones, user can view and interact with the immersive video and photo content.

Explore the world together

Virtually explore new places together despite being physically apart.

Share personal experiences

Keep each other updated despite unavailability due to time differences.

Communicate with each other

Features like texting, voice-calling, and video-calling to stay connected at all times.

Time & availability

Stay updated with each other's schedules with shared calendars and time zones.

Shared planning

Co-creating features like shared to-do lists and wishlists to plan the future together.

Milestones celebration

Preserve memories, track and celebrate personal and shared milestones.

Scenario 1.1 Video calling

You and your partner are indoors, both available, and you jump onto a video call using your smartphones.

Scenario 1.2 Video calling on-the-go

Needing to head out, you switch from your smartphone to your smart glasses seamlessly, continuing your conversation while on the move.

Scenario 2.1.1 Capturing 'visual voice notes' 🔊

Your partner heads to bed, but your day keeps going. As you explore new places and moments, you capture everything using your smart glasses to share with them.

Scenario 2.1.2 AI assitance 🔊

You tap into Horizon AI—your all-in-one assistant, guide, and memory keeper—to get insights into your surroundings.

Scenario 2.1.3 Sharing experiences

After an eventful experience, you select your favorite video and image content to share with your partner.

Scenario 2.2 Viewing experiences

When your partner wakes, they instantly receive your updates, viewing them through their smartphone or smart glasses.

Extended Reality

Leveraging technology to allow LDR couples to virtually explore locations together, deepening their connection despite the physical distance.

Mixed Reality integration

An interactive feature that allows the user to seamlessly trigger animations in their live visual field through hand gestures.

Virtual Reality integration

An immersive viewing feature that enables the user to completely dive into their partner's recorded environment.

Augmented Reality integration

An informative feature that displays the user's relevant data, real-time translations and visual aids right on the glasses' display.

AI Integration

Leveraging AI to help long-distance couples stay connected through intelligent, context-aware interactions, making daily communication more meaningful.

Location insights

A smart feature that summarizes user locations and answers questions from general information to specific facts about it.

Personalization

A personal feature that logs user locations and mentions, compiles a wish list, and sends throwback notifications upon revisit.

Personal assistance

A functional feature that assists users with note-taking, reminders, message composition, and meeting scheduling.

Results

Wearable technology has found a new pool of audience who wish to maintain and build relationships and have shared immersive experiences.

100%

Users find this product concept interesting/exciting

90%

Users feel that this product will not only assist but also make LDR better

60%

Users are open to switching to smart glasses

Learnings & Next Steps

✺ When all can do is talk, a fresh form of conversation can go a long way.

✺ Fostering emotional closeness through technology can significantly ease the physical distance.

✺ Integrating MR and AI can elevate communication beyond traditional methods, creating more immersive experiences.

Go beyond the scope of romantic connections

Make conversations richer using AI