Exploring Human Connection in Student Housing: A Digital-Physical Community Solution

PROJECT OVERVIEW

In the bustling world of student life, social isolation remains a silent challenge. As part of KTH’s DM2601 Media Technology and Interaction Design course, our team tackled this issue head-on by designing NeighborLink—a hybrid digital-physical platform that reimagines community building in student housing. Combining an interactive bulletin board with a mobile app, this project merges tactile interactions with digital convenience to foster genuine connections while respecting individual boundaries

THE CHALLENGE

How might we help students engage more comfortably within their living communities, making first interactions easier for diverse personality types?

Student housing often houses individuals from varied backgrounds and comfort levels. While extroverts thrive in social settings, introverts like our persona Sarah (a 23-year-old master’s student) struggle to initiate conversations. Our research revealed that 68% of students felt hesitant to approach neighbors directly, creating a need for a system that facilitates organic, low-pressure interactions.

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS

• Hybrid Interaction Model: Merges tactile bulletin boards with app-based follow-ups.

• Introvert-First Design: Anonymous messaging and low-pressure activity suggestions.

• Trust Architecture: Peer reviews and verified student IDs ensure safety.

TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY

• Research: Dovetail (thematic analysis), FigJam (affinity mapping)

• Design: Figma (UI), Balsamiq (wireframing), Adobe Premiere Pro (video prototype)

• Collaboration: Miro (brmiroainstorming), Google Docs (documentation)