Let’s go steady: a digital communication tool for loving couples

As progressive societies increasingly rely on digital technologies, our methods of communicating with each other continue to evolve. While this opens up many possibilities for the formation of new relationships, it also has repercussions with regard to our ability to maintain the relationships that matter most. This paper and project aims to identify challenges experienced by couples in loving relationships typically caused by or worsened by over-reliance on smartphones and social media. I have proposed a design solution in the form of a mobile application made specifically for committed partners, tentatively called Steady. The goal of the app is to encourage compassion, understanding and healthy communication; helping couples be more engaged in face-to-face interaction and avoid being distracted by their devices while spending time together.