// Friendli
// Friendli
Designing an AI-powered app with a focus on usability for older adults
Designing an AI-powered app with a focus on usability for older adults
UX/UI
UX/UI
Front-end development
Front-end development
Google AI Hackathon
Google AI Hackathon
Timeline
2 weeks
Team
Nekruz Ashrapov,
Liang L.
(full-stack developers)
My role
Product designer
Timeline
2 weeks
Team
Nekruz Ashrapov, Liang L. (full-stack developers)
My role
Product designer
About the project
About the project
Friendli is a connection app, that is meant to solve the global problem of senior loneliness by pairing seniors with caring volunteers. How can we make this technology accessible for senior users?
With a focus on human-to-human communication, an intuitive interface, and straightforward user flows, Friendli's Gemini AI matching algorithm is designed to make new technology accessible for senior users.
Friendli is a connection app, that is meant to solve the global problem of senior loneliness by pairing seniors with caring volunteers. How can we make this technology accessible for senior users?
With a focus on human-to-human communication, an intuitive interface, and straightforward user flows, Friendli's Gemini AI matching algorithm is designed to make new technology accessible for senior users.
Google AI Hackathon task
Google AI Hackathon task
"Build a creative app that uses Google’s Generative AI tools. Push the boundaries of what Gen AI apps can do with Gemini!"
"Build a creative app that uses Google’s Generative AI tools. Push the boundaries of what Gen AI apps can do with Gemini!"
Our idea
Our idea
Gemini AI for social good
From the very beginning my team and I wanted to utilize Gemini AI for something meaningful that would solve a problem that isn't widely recognized. Through brainstorming we came up with an idea of creating a product that would connect lonely seniors with volunteers to combat senior loneliness.
Gemini AI for social good
From the very beginning my team and I wanted to utilize Gemini AI for something meaningful that would solve a problem that isn't widely recognized. Through brainstorming we came up with an idea of creating a product that would connect lonely seniors with volunteers to combat senior loneliness.
Product validation + initial research
Product validation + initial research
National Poll on Healthy Aging (2023)
National Poll on Healthy Aging (2023)
34% of adults aged 50-80 reported feeling isolated in the past year.
34% of adults aged 50-80 reported feeling isolated in the past year.
MedicareFAQ (2024)
MedicareFAQ (2024)
57% of seniors reported feeling lonely, including over half of married seniors (53%).
57% of seniors reported feeling lonely, including over half of married seniors (53%).
Challenge
Challenge
Senior users may feel apprehensive about using new technology.
How can we guide senior users to complete the signup process and ensure the system is user-friendly for them?
At what stages should we incorporate AI into the process?
How can we make new technology feel familiar for older users?
Senior users may feel apprehensive about using new technology.
How can we guide senior users to complete the signup process and ensure the system is user-friendly for them?
At what stages should we incorporate AI into the process?
How can we make new technology feel familiar for older users?
Project constraints
Project constraints
On time in 2 weeks…
Understanding the time constraint, we had to make a decision to prioritize the needs and pain points of a senior user group over volunteers. We wanted to take on a bigger challenge and work for a more vulnerable user group.
On time in 2 weeks…
Understanding the time constraint, we had to make a decision to prioritize the needs and pain points of a senior user group over volunteers. We wanted to take on a bigger challenge and work for a more vulnerable user group.
Defining product direction
Defining product direction
Hierarchy
Hierarchy
Directing the eyes to the most crucial elements on the page.
Directing the eyes to the most crucial elements on the page.
Simplicity
Simplicity
Reducing all non essential elements to eliminate confusion.
Reducing all non essential elements to eliminate confusion.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Maintaining a focus on accessibility to minimize confusion.
Maintaining a focus on accessibility to minimize confusion.
User satisfaction
User satisfaction
Meeting the user's expectations with a sense of accomplishment.
Meeting the user's expectations with a sense of accomplishment.
Design iterations: Profile
Design iterations: Profile
Option 1: Full user profile preview
Option 1: Full user profile preview
Felt too visually busy.
Doesn't show why this profile was selected as a good match.
Easy to miss the "Next" button.
Felt too visually busy.
Doesn't show why this profile was selected as a good match.
Easy to miss the "Next" button.
Option 2: Full user profile preview with statistics
Option 2: Full user profile preview with statistics
May feel too complicated for senior users.
Doesn't show full profile right away.
Some data may be unnecessary to display.
May feel too complicated for senior users.
Doesn't show full profile right away.
Some data may be unnecessary to display.
Option 3: Full user profile preview with statistics (condensed)
Option 3: Full user profile preview with statistics (condensed)
May feel too simplified.
Less context.
May feel too simplified.
Less context.
Design iterations: Sign-up process
Design iterations: Sign-up process
Option 1: Check boxes
Option 1: Check boxes
Doesn't support all account requirements such as profile picture and description text.
Users are limited to available options.
Doesn't support all account requirements such as profile picture and description text.
Users are limited to available options.
Option 2: Complete account set up while signing up
Option 2: Complete account set up while signing up
May feel too complicated.
No skipping option.
May feel too complicated.
No skipping option.
A/B testing key insights
A/B testing key insights
Stuck when needing help
Stuck when needing help
Older users were frustrated when they couldn't find next steps.
Older users were frustrated when they couldn't find next steps.
Doesn't feel human
Doesn't feel human
Older users felt disconnected from suggested accounts when AI was strongly emphasized in the selection process (I found this comment extremely interesting).
Older users felt disconnected from suggested accounts when AI was strongly emphasized in the selection process (I found this comment extremely interesting).
Lack of clear explanation
Lack of clear explanation
Some senior users were unsure about the need to answer certain questions.
Some senior users were unsure about the need to answer certain questions.
Final design + improvements
Final design + improvements
Implementing user feedback and key insights
Sign-up process
+ Added explanation for every step of the sign-up process.
+ Option fast forward the process.
+ Flexibility in profile customizing.
User account
+ Main focus is on the person, not the AI statistics.
+ Essential information listed right away.
+ Accent on the "start chatting" button.
Implementing user feedback and key insights
Sign-up process
+ Added explanation for every step of the sign-up process.
+ Option fast forward the process.
+ Flexibility in profile customizing.
User account
+ Main focus is on the person, not the AI statistics.
+ Essential information listed right away.
+ Accent on the "start chatting" button.
Obstacles
Obstacles
Overcoming time and tech constraints
Overcoming time and tech constraints
To meet a tight deadline in just 2 weeks, we scheduled daily check-in meetings to report our progress and set daily tasks.
To meet a tight deadline in just 2 weeks, we scheduled daily check-in meetings to report our progress and set daily tasks.
As a solo designer working directly with developers, I had to quickly learn how to adjust my designs to a feasible development and prepare files for hand-off.
As a solo designer working directly with developers, I had to quickly learn how to adjust my designs to a feasible development and prepare files for hand-off.
Success metrics
Success metrics
Accessibility + navigation
Accessibility + navigation
85% of senior users were able to complete the sign-up process on their own without asking clarifying questions.
80% of senior users were able to complete the sign-up process on their own without asking clarifying questions.
90% of senior users said they enjoyed a product with enlarged buttons, copy, and colour contrast.
90% of senior users said they enjoyed a product with enlarged buttons, copy, and colour contrast.
If I had more time…
If I had more time…
In the time frame of the hackathon, I focused on the signup process and account browsing. If I had more time, I would also work on chat boxes, video calls, and communication methods.
In the time frame of the hackathon, I focused on the signup process and account browsing. If I had more time, I would also work on chat boxes, video calls, and communication methods.
Learnings
Learnings
Team work + adapting to fast change
Team work + adapting to fast change
I learned a lot about being part of a team with developers, especially since I was the only designer. I got better at sharing my design ideas in a way that made sense to them. Plus, I feel like I understand developers better now.
I learned a lot about being part of a team with developers, especially since I was the only designer. I got better at sharing my design ideas in a way that made sense to them. Plus, I feel like I understand developers better now.
Unbiased thinking
Unbiased thinking
I learned not to be biased when assuming user needs. I had to completely rethink my design approach after researching my users.
I learned not to be biased when assuming user needs. I had to completely rethink my design approach after researching my users.
Other projects
Other projects
Mariia Konash 2025
Created with Figma, Framer and Caffeine
Mariia Konash 2025
Created with Figma, Framer and Caffeine
Mariia Konash 2025
Created with Figma, Framer and Caffeine