Fostering Connection and Belonging
for Elderly Chinese Immigrants

Design as a form of care—to honor memory, empower agency, and nurture belonging.

This led to Echo, a workshop space where elderly Chinese immigrants could reflect on their memories, losses, and hopes—through their hands, their voices, and the emotions they’ve carried for a lifetime.

Joyber is a community-based app that helps older adults find nearby activities and form meaningful social connections. By lowering barriers to participation, the platform supports belonging and social well-being in later life.

That led to Taste of Home—a physical exhibition where visitors read stories about food and family, then chose recipe cards that reminded them of someone. Before leaving, they added their own story, creating their own Taste of Home ticket. They didn’t just see others’ memories—they became part of them.

That’s the idea behind Spoonion—a set of connected spoons for families who live apart. When one person cooks with it, the other receives a small signal— A gentle, quiet reminder: “You’re still a part of my life.” I experimented with shape, texture, and form—eventually landing on a design that felt emotionally true. Two spoons, always connected. A ritual of care, across time and space.

Family Seed is an AR experience that helps distant family members stay emotionally connected through everyday interactions. Family photos, shared memories, and small moments nourish a virtual plant that grows with the relationship.