Project Grow Along
A virtual pet couples app that grows stronger when you communicate more.
Focus: Interpersonal Communication
Video Trailer
Project Grow Along — Thesis Trailer
Video coming soon — add a YouTube or Vimeo embed URL tovideo_url in the thesis markdown file.
Abstract
Grow Along is a mobile application that frames relationship health as a shared responsibility made visible through a virtual pet. Partners share a single creature whose emotional state, appearance, and vitality are determined by the frequency, quality, and variety of their communication—messages, shared photos, voice notes, and completed mini-challenges. When couples communicate consistently and intentionally, their pet thrives. When communication falters, the pet reflects that neglect.
Design Challenge
Long-distance and busy-schedule couples often let communication slide not from lack of care but lack of structure or motivation. Grow Along asks: can a lightweight game mechanic create the scaffolding for more intentional connection without adding the pressure of explicit relationship management tools?
Technical Approach
Built in React Native for cross-platform iOS and Android deployment. A shared data model syncs between partners via Firebase Realtime Database. The virtual pet state machine uses a weighted algorithm combining message count, response latency, and variety of interaction types. Character art was hand-illustrated and animated with Lottie.
Outcomes
User testing with 8 couples over a 3-week period showed a 34% increase in average daily message exchanges. 7 of 8 couples reported feeling "more intentional" about communication habits. The app was presented at the IxDIA 2023 Spring Show.
Process Documentation
[Add user research findings, wireframes, character design process, prototype screens here]