UI / UX Design
AroundUs
AroundUs is a location-based iOS app that helps relocated people turn physical proximity into real connection — by joining nearby strangers in simple shared activities like walking, coffee, or studying, instead of swiping profiles or starting conversations.
Type :
iOS App (SwiftUI)
Timeline :
2025 – 2026
Context :
MA Capstone
Role :
Design & Development
Project Background & Personal Journey
As an international student, moving to a new place meant being surrounded by people but still doing most things alone. I would see the same faces around campus, in libraries, cafés, and shared spaces, but there was rarely a natural reason to start a conversation.
AroundUs came from that gap between being nearby and actually feeling connected. The app helps people take the first step through small, low-pressure activities like coffee, walks, study sessions, or groceries.
Instead of forcing awkward messages or big events, AroundUs creates simple moments where connection can begin naturally.
Problem Statement
International students and newcomers often live surrounded by people in the same community, but still struggle to form real connections. Existing social apps focus on profiles, messaging, or planned events, which can feel awkward, high-pressure, or too much commitment. There is a need for a simpler way to turn everyday proximity into low-pressure social interaction.
HOW MIGHT WE
How might we help newcomers connect with people nearby through small, everyday activities instead of awkward conversations or high-commitment events?
Understanding the Gap
To understand why nearby people still struggle to connect, I looked at loneliness, newcomer adaptation, and the limitations of existing social platforms. The research helped me shift the project away from “finding people” and toward creating low-pressure moments for connection.
Nearby doesn’t mean connected
People can share the same spaces every day but still lack a natural reason to talk.
Profiles create pressure
Profile-first apps ask users to judge and present themselves before any real interaction happens.
Small actions lower the barrier
A walk, coffee, or study session gives people a reason to meet without forcing awkward conversation.
Why Existing Platforms Fall Short
Most platforms help people broadcast, match, or attend events. But they rarely help nearby strangers turn everyday routines into low-pressure connection.
Broadcast
People can see content, but still not meet.
Profile Matching
Users must judge and present themselves first.
Events
Requires time, planning, and commitment.
Nearby Activities
Small actions create a natural reason to connect.
Design Opportunity
The opportunity was not to build another social network. It was to design a smaller first step.
Instead of asking people to browse profiles, send awkward messages, or commit to big events, AroundUs starts with something simple: what people nearby are already open to doing.
HIGH-PRESSURE CONNECTION
Profile browsing
Open-ended messaging
Large events
Social comparison
Too much commitment
→
LOW-PRESSURE CONNECTION
Nearby activity
Simple prompt
Temporary chat
Real-world meeting
Repeated contact
From social pressure → to shared action
Card Sorts & Affinity Mapping
To make sense of the research, I grouped recurring insights into three themes: pain points, desires, and behaviors. This helped clarify what AroundUs needed to reduce, support, and respond to.
The strongest pattern was clear: users did not need another social feed. They needed a safer, simpler reason to connect with people nearby.
Persona, Task Flow & User Journey
The affinity map helped shape a clearer user scenario: a newcomer who wants connection, but does not want the pressure of messaging strangers or attending large events. I used this to map the user's journey from feeling alone nearby to taking a small first step through an activity.
ALONE
Doing everyday routines alone.
CURIOUS
Sees people nearby doing similar activities.
COMFORTABLE
Joins through a small shared activity.
CONNECTED
Meets, chats, and builds familiarity.
Open app
→
See nearby activity
→
Choose Talk or Join
→
Send request
→
Temporary chat
→
Meet in real life
More Projects
Tools:
UI / UX Design
AroundUs
AroundUs is a location-based iOS app that helps relocated people turn physical proximity into real connection — by joining nearby strangers in simple shared activities like walking, coffee, or studying, instead of swiping profiles or starting conversations.
Type :
iOS App (SwiftUI)
Timeline :
2025 – 2026
Context :
MA Capstone
Role :
Design & Development
Project Background & Personal Journey
As an international student, moving to a new place meant being surrounded by people but still doing most things alone. I would see the same faces around campus, in libraries, cafés, and shared spaces, but there was rarely a natural reason to start a conversation.
AroundUs came from that gap between being nearby and actually feeling connected. The app helps people take the first step through small, low-pressure activities like coffee, walks, study sessions, or groceries.
Instead of forcing awkward messages or big events, AroundUs creates simple moments where connection can begin naturally.
Problem Statement
International students and newcomers often live surrounded by people in the same community, but still struggle to form real connections. Existing social apps focus on profiles, messaging, or planned events, which can feel awkward, high-pressure, or too much commitment. There is a need for a simpler way to turn everyday proximity into low-pressure social interaction.
HOW MIGHT WE
How might we help newcomers connect with people nearby through small, everyday activities instead of awkward conversations or high-commitment events?
Understanding the Gap
To understand why nearby people still struggle to connect, I looked at loneliness, newcomer adaptation, and the limitations of existing social platforms. The research helped me shift the project away from “finding people” and toward creating low-pressure moments for connection.
Nearby doesn’t mean connected
People can share the same spaces every day but still lack a natural reason to talk.
Profiles create pressure
Profile-first apps ask users to judge and present themselves before any real interaction happens.
Small actions lower the barrier
A walk, coffee, or study session gives people a reason to meet without forcing awkward conversation.
Why Existing Platforms Fall Short
Most platforms help people broadcast, match, or attend events. But they rarely help nearby strangers turn everyday routines into low-pressure connection.
Broadcast
People can see content, but still not meet.
Profile Matching
Users must judge and present themselves first.
Events
Requires time, planning, and commitment.
Nearby Activities
Small actions create a natural reason to connect.
Design Opportunity
The opportunity was not to build another social network. It was to design a smaller first step.
Instead of asking people to browse profiles, send awkward messages, or commit to big events, AroundUs starts with something simple: what people nearby are already open to doing.
HIGH-PRESSURE CONNECTION
Profile browsing
Open-ended messaging
Large events
Social comparison
Too much commitment
→
LOW-PRESSURE CONNECTION
Nearby activity
Simple prompt
Temporary chat
Real-world meeting
Repeated contact
From social pressure → to shared action
Card Sorts & Affinity Mapping
To make sense of the research, I grouped recurring insights into three themes: pain points, desires, and behaviors. This helped clarify what AroundUs needed to reduce, support, and respond to.
The strongest pattern was clear: users did not need another social feed. They needed a safer, simpler reason to connect with people nearby.
Persona, Task Flow & User Journey
The affinity map helped shape a clearer user scenario: a newcomer who wants connection, but does not want the pressure of messaging strangers or attending large events. I used this to map the user's journey from feeling alone nearby to taking a small first step through an activity.
ALONE
Doing everyday routines alone.
CURIOUS
Sees people nearby doing similar activities.
COMFORTABLE
Joins through a small shared activity.
CONNECTED
Meets, chats, and builds familiarity.
Open app
→
See nearby activity
→
Choose Talk or Join
→
Send request
→
Temporary chat
→
Meet in real life
More Projects
Tools:
UI / UX Design
AroundUs
AroundUs is a location-based iOS app that helps relocated people turn physical proximity into real connection — by joining nearby strangers in simple shared activities like walking, coffee, or studying, instead of swiping profiles or starting conversations.
Type :
iOS App (SwiftUI)
Timeline :
2025 – 2026
Context :
MA Capstone
Role :
Design & Development
Project Background & Personal Journey
As an international student, moving to a new place meant being surrounded by people but still doing most things alone. I would see the same faces around campus, in libraries, cafés, and shared spaces, but there was rarely a natural reason to start a conversation.
AroundUs came from that gap between being nearby and actually feeling connected. The app helps people take the first step through small, low-pressure activities like coffee, walks, study sessions, or groceries.
Instead of forcing awkward messages or big events, AroundUs creates simple moments where connection can begin naturally.
Problem Statement
International students and newcomers often live surrounded by people in the same community, but still struggle to form real connections. Existing social apps focus on profiles, messaging, or planned events, which can feel awkward, high-pressure, or too much commitment. There is a need for a simpler way to turn everyday proximity into low-pressure social interaction.
HOW MIGHT WE
How might we help newcomers connect with people nearby through small, everyday activities instead of awkward conversations or high-commitment events?
Understanding the Gap
To understand why nearby people still struggle to connect, I looked at loneliness, newcomer adaptation, and the limitations of existing social platforms. The research helped me shift the project away from “finding people” and toward creating low-pressure moments for connection.
Nearby doesn’t mean connected
People can share the same spaces every day but still lack a natural reason to talk.
Profiles create pressure
Profile-first apps ask users to judge and present themselves before any real interaction happens.
Small actions lower the barrier
A walk, coffee, or study session gives people a reason to meet without forcing awkward conversation.
Why Existing Platforms Fall Short
Most platforms help people broadcast, match, or attend events. But they rarely help nearby strangers turn everyday routines into low-pressure connection.
Broadcast
People can see content, but still not meet.
Profile Matching
Users must judge and present themselves first.
Events
Requires time, planning, and commitment.
Nearby Activities
Small actions create a natural reason to connect.
Design Opportunity
The opportunity was not to build another social network. It was to design a smaller first step.
Instead of asking people to browse profiles, send awkward messages, or commit to big events, AroundUs starts with something simple: what people nearby are already open to doing.
HIGH-PRESSURE CONNECTION
Profile browsing
Open-ended messaging
Large events
Social comparison
Too much commitment
→
LOW-PRESSURE CONNECTION
Nearby activity
Simple prompt
Temporary chat
Real-world meeting
Repeated contact
From social pressure → to shared action
Card Sorts & Affinity Mapping
To make sense of the research, I grouped recurring insights into three themes: pain points, desires, and behaviors. This helped clarify what AroundUs needed to reduce, support, and respond to.
The strongest pattern was clear: users did not need another social feed. They needed a safer, simpler reason to connect with people nearby.
Persona, Task Flow & User Journey
The affinity map helped shape a clearer user scenario: a newcomer who wants connection, but does not want the pressure of messaging strangers or attending large events. I used this to map the user's journey from feeling alone nearby to taking a small first step through an activity.
ALONE
Doing everyday routines alone.
CURIOUS
Sees people nearby doing similar activities.
COMFORTABLE
Joins through a small shared activity.
CONNECTED
Meets, chats, and builds familiarity.
Open app
→
See nearby activity
→
Choose Talk or Join
→
Send request
→
Temporary chat
→
Meet in real life
More Projects
Tools: