Hey Stranger @Accenture the dock | Flipsieflopsie

Hey Stranger!
@Accenture the Dock

It all started with a simple question: How do we foster social connection? 

As I observe daily life in Dublin I notice that although we move through shared spaces, genuine human connection has become rare, a thing that in the past was normal and ordinary. Urban life, with all the rush and digital distractions, has made it easier than ever to be near each other physically, but so far away emotionally.

Hey Stranger! is an app that helps people gently practice social confidence through simple, everyday challenges.  The journey starts small with things like smiling at someone, leaving a note, or offering a thank you, and gradually builds toward bigger steps.  Each challenge comes with tips and gentler alternatives, plus space to reflect and track progress.

The project

Why Loneliness?

In recent years, loneliness has been described as a growing public health crisis. With the ever more present research on the topic, public institutions have begun treating loneliness as a public health issue, stressing the importance of third spaces, social prescribing, and community design in preventing long-term loneliness. Moreover, amid the fast pace of modern life, people increasingly lack the time, energy, and emotional willingness to engage with strangers, deepening social isolation.  Cities are increasingly designed for efficiency over encounter, and public space is often privatised or unwelcoming. As a result, the natural opportunities for spontaneous connection are disappearing, reinforcing isolation as the default.

* (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015)

My Role
Research, UX/ UI

Timeline
3 Months

The problem

Loneliness is rising even in busy cities. Many people—especially newcomers, young adults, and the shy, crave connection but struggle to initiate it.
Social norms, digital distraction, and fear of awkwardness keep everyday interactions from happening.

Without small moments of presence and recognition, people feel isolated, invisible, and disconnected from their communities.

Process Overview

1. Research

Articles & Papers
Research through Design
Workshops & Probes
Interviews & Surveys

2. Define

How Might We
Opportunities
User Profiles
Customer Journey

3. Ideate

User Flow
Sketches
Wireframes

4. Hey Stranger!

Final Prototype
Improvements Hero shots

Design is rarely a straight line. My process moves through research, sketching, prototyping, and testing—looping back when needed, always guided by curiosity and intention. From understanding the problem to shaping intuitive solutions, each step is about creating designs that feel clear, human, and grounded in real needs.

1. Research

Articles & Papers
Research through Design
Workshops & Probes
Interviews & Surveys

The first steps:

PART 1 • RESEARCH

The first phase was all about learning and uncovering. I explored existing articles and papers, ran workshops and creative probes, and gathered personal insights through interviews and surveys.

Rather than jumping to solutions, I spent this stage listening, allowing key themes and patterns to emerge through thoughtful research and reflection.

THE WORKSHOPS & PROBES:

WHAT PEOPLE SAID:

How might we:

Putting it all together:

2. Define

How Might We
Opportunities
User Profiles

foster a fleeting moment of connection between strangers in public urban spaces?

Before designing, I took the time to pause, listen, and connect the dots. I dove into the project’s context, gathering inputs, asking questions, and identifying the core challenge to solve.

This early stage is all about making sense of what’s there, spotting gaps, and shaping a clear, focused direction before anything visual takes form.

PART 2 • DEFINE

Highlighted Insights & Design Opportunities

The Insights:

USER PERSONAS