Author: leila.orynbayeva

This is my last blog post of the semester, and it feels like a good moment to pause, look back, and then look ahead. In my previous posts, I mostly focused on the challenges of shaping a full concept and understanding where my project could go. Now, instead of diving deeper into problems, I want to write about my next steps and how my thinking has started to shift.

In blog post number six, I wrote about the technical challenges I faced, especially around building and connecting digital and physical elements. During my final critique, Mr. Martin Kaltenbrunner gave me a piece of advice that really stayed with me. He encouraged me to step back and look at my project from above, instead of zooming in too early on one solution. He suggested focusing more on challenges in the physical world and thinking about how making them playful or digital could improve user engagement and traction. That comment helped me realize that I was sometimes too focused on making my concept work, instead of asking why people would enjoy using it in the first place.

Interestingly, around the same time, social media algorithms started doing their thing. I kept getting videos related to my topic, and instead of ignoring them, I leaned into it. I discovered beautiful examples of 3D-printed jewelry, and then I found a YouTube video showing a 3D ring with a small RFID chip embedded inside. After that, I came across several experiments and even failures involving NFC inside jewelry. Seeing both successful and unsuccessful attempts was incredibly valuable, because it made the process feel more realistic and approachable.

One example that really stuck with me was a blogger who turned her bus pass into a ring. It was such a simple idea, yet it perfectly showed how a boring everyday physical experience could be transformed into something playful and personal. That example made everything click. It was not just about technology, but about how design can shift the emotional experience of an action we do every day without thinking.

This also made me reflect on how digital solutions already help us transmit emotions across distance. Small things like animated text messages on Instagram or automatically generated video memories in the iOS gallery may seem simple, but they add emotional value. They make digital interactions feel warmer and more human. Seeing these examples helped me think beyond my original concept and reminded me that emotional design often lives in details.

Another important influence was a talk by Jared Friedman called How to Get and Evaluate Startup Ideas. Watching it helped me widen my perspective even more. It made me realize some mistakes I was close to making, especially trying to solve too many things at once or falling in love with a solution too early. The talk reminded me that strong ideas usually start with clear problems and grow through testing, feedback, and iteration.

Looking forward, my next steps are about exploration rather than final answers. I want to experiment more with physical objects, playful interactions, and emotional triggers. I want to test ideas quickly, observe how people react, and stay open to changing direction. This semester taught me that uncertainty is not a weakness in the process, but a necessary part of it.

I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text

During the summer, I had a quiet realization: I would probably have to change my topic. The company I originally wanted to collaborate with decided not to work with students, and for a moment, I felt a bit lost. But instead of seeing it as a setback, I treated it as a reset.

I sat down with a blank sheet of paper and started writing. First, I listed problems I would genuinely like to solve, things that felt meaningful to me. Then I wrote down directions and skills I was curious about and wanted to grow in. To make it more visual (and a bit more fun), I rated everything with stars. I marked the most interesting problems and the most inspiring directions.

When I looked at the results, a pattern appeared. Social problems clearly mattered most to me. And when it came to interests, I couldn’t choose just one: UX/UI, 3D printing, and video editing all felt equally exciting.

For the next few weeks, I kept searching for the right problem. Something that felt personal, but also universal. Eventually, I realized I kept coming back to one idea: preserving relationships. No matter if it’s family, friends, or partners, relationships shape our lives. And that became the problem I wanted to explore and solve.

That’s how my Master’s thesis topic was born: connecting and preserving memories by linking the digital and physical worlds in a fun, playful way.

During the semester, I started exploring what would actually keep people engaged in the digital space – the website. Some ideas felt obvious: creating shared albums, playing small games, sending video notes, or voice messages. But “obvious” wasn’t enough. I kept asking myself: How can this feel special? How can it feel memorable?
That’s when I remembered how powerful animations can be. Usually, animations are just the cherry on top of UX nice, but not essential. But what if animation became the main engagement driver?
I thought about interactions like the weather slider, burning negative stories in How We Feel, or the cracking opening animation in Opal. Those moments stick with people. The only realistic way to build something like that was coding. So, with help from ChatGPT, Claude, and a lot of tutorials, I started learning.

At the same time, another part of the project started forming: the physical object. I want it to feel meaningful, emotionally warm, and easy to carry around, something that feels personal, not just functional. I still don’t know exactly what it will look like, and that’s okay for now. What I do know is that I’ll need to experiment with materials to see which ones work best with NFC tags, maybe 3D prints, air clay, or ceramics.

The connection between the digital and physical worlds will happen through NFC. That part, at least, feels solved

Technically, the project feels challenging but doable. The harder part right now is defining the target group. Because, realistically, everyone has relationships. Everyone has memories.

A meeting with my supervisor, Anika Kronnberger, helped me zoom in. Instead of trying to design for “everyone,” she suggested thinking about specific sectors, like tourism, or focusing on age groups that might find this kind of product especially meaningful and fun.

How to vibe-code: https://youtu.be/fUN2TZoohk8?si=Lfg-rQ7X3cj9Cxi6
Techniques for the web-animation: https://youtu.be/9eHEOAn2FOA?si=FgiUA8sFC0QHerU2
Testing NFC placement materials: https://ragman.net/musings/nfc_sculptures/

I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text

I recently watched a video by Hello Erika called My Secret to Being Creative, and it really got me thinking about how I approach my own projects. Lately, I’ve been trying to figure out new ways to present my thesis idea and keep my mind fresh, but sometimes I feel stuck in the same patterns. This video reminded me that creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about curiosity, small experiments, and giving yourself permission to explore ideas without worrying about being perfect.

In the video, Erika talks about routines that help creativity flow naturally. She emphasizes the importance of observing the world around you, experimenting with small ideas, and embracing failure as part of the process. Creativity doesn’t just happen during big moments of insight. Most of the time, it comes from consistent, playful practice and letting your mind wander without pressure. She also mentions the idea of combining structure with playfulness, like keeping a notebook handy to jot down anything that sparks curiosity or trying small creative exercises regularly.

Watching this video gave me a lot to think about in relation to my thesis. I started reflecting on how I could bring these principles into my work on connecting digital and physical memories. One idea that came to mind is using collages as a way to present content. Collages feel playful and exploratory, and they allow for combining different types of media, ideas, and visuals in a way that isn’t rigid. In the context of my project, I could use collages to show memories, emotions, or experiences in a more tactile and interactive way. For example, a digital collage could bring together video snippets, photos, text, and small animations to create a richer story. On the physical side, a collage made of printed photos, textures, or even 3D-printed elements could give users something they can hold and explore.

Around the same time, I had an amazing coaching session with Mr. Horst Hörtner, which gave me even more inspiration for playful interactions. During our discussion, we explored ways to make the website experience more engaging and social without thinking about technical implementation. One idea that came up was tagging other people on the website to create connections between memories. Another concept was combining two objects with NFC tags to reveal shared experiences, like common friends, places visited, or memories created together. It felt like a fun way to bring people into the experience, encouraging them to explore connections and stories in an interactive, playful way.

To organize all these ideas, I also started using mind mapping. This technique helps me get a look from above at everything I want to include in my project, from digital features to physical interactions

Overall, both the video and the coaching session motivated me to keep experimenting and stay open to unexpected ideas. It encouraged me to play, to combine approaches, and to see the process itself as part of the creative journey.


Tony Buzan Mind mapping technique: https://youtu.be/lmvjnyZlR9I?si=Gksb4HuaBNvONLwe
YouTube Video by “Hello Erika”: https://youtu.be/_57fz3ogPMk?si=K_VVG23X1Ag5ss93
Collage Animation in CANVA: https://youtu.be/YZTBRLjBek0?si=yDFXfdnSXu76bcGQ

I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text

Watching Abstract: The Art of Design and learning about Es Devlin’s work reminded me why curiosity is such an important part of being a designer. Around the same time, while I was doing research for my thesis, I discovered products on the market that were quite similar to my idea. I remember feeling a bit discouraged when I first saw them. It made me question whether I was too late or if my idea was still worth developing. For a moment, I felt stuck between continuing and starting over again.

The documentary helped me change my perspective. Es Devlin speaks a lot about exploration, experimentation, and following questions instead of trying to be the first person to create something. That idea stayed with me. It made me realize that design is not only about originality. It is about how you interpret an idea, why you build it, and what kind of experience you create for people. Many ideas already exist in some form, but every designer brings their own story, values, and way of thinking into a project. That realization helped me calm down and look at my project in a healthier way.

Around this time, I also had a meeting with Ursula Lagger, and that conversation was very motivating for me. She spoke about the importance of keeping your mind open and staying curious even when things feel uncertain. She reminded me about the 7W method and encouraged me to keep practicing it. Using questions like who, what, when, where, why, in which way, and with whom helped me step back and look at my project from different angles. Instead of focusing only on the fear that similar products already exist, I started focusing on what I could still discover and improve.

This approach helped me shift my mindset. Instead of thinking that I had to create something completely new that nobody has ever thought about before, I started thinking about contribution. I began asking myself better and more specific questions. What is missing in the products that already exist? What emotional value can I add to the experience? How can I make the interaction feel more playful and more human? How can I connect digital and physical memories in a way that feels natural and meaningful for people?

I also realized that finding similar products is not always a negative thing. Sometimes it means that the problem is real and important enough that multiple people are trying to solve it. It can also be a chance to learn. I started analyzing these products more carefully. I looked at what they do well and where they might be lacking. This helped me see opportunities instead of limitations.

Another important part for me was accepting that the design process is not a straight line. Sometimes you feel confident and clear about your direction. Other times you feel lost or unsure. But both phases are part of creating something meaningful. Staying curious helps you move through both phases without giving up too early.

Right now, I try to remind myself that my goal is not to compete with existing products but to add my own perspective and value. I want to create something that reflects my interests in UX, physical interaction, and emotional connection between people. I want to build something that feels warm, playful, and meaningful instead of just functional.

Looking back, the combination of watching the documentary and having the conversation with Ursula helped me continue moving forward. They reminded me that curiosity is a tool that helps you grow, learn, and discover new possibilities. And for me, that is something I want to keep practicing throughout my thesis and beyond.

List with links:
1. Asking The 7 Whys To Get To Your Truth: https://medium.com/@athirahsyamimi/asking-the-7-whys-to-get-to-your-truth-2707d743a818
2. Abstract: The Art of Design: https://youtu.be/jo4aAVjuh2o?si=IX4p7OdNJe2PW68H
3. One of the competitors: https://e-inkify.com/



I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text

AI and coding

If I got one euro every time someone said AI in the last two years, I could probably pay my rent for a year. Jokes aside, AI really did change everything. It gives regular people access to tools that used to require a full team. For designers, this is huge. We can finally bring weird ideas to life without begging a developer to “just help a tiny bit.”

I’ve worked with developers for years and always admired how they manage to build complicated systems from scratch. Now we can do a chunk of that work ourselves. You still need to know basic logic, but the heavy lifting can be handled by AI. So why not experiment a little, build something fun, and keep the creative spark alive?

For the last months I’ve been watching designers and devs use different AI coding tools. I’m inspired, but also a bit lost, because these tools aren’t perfect yet. You have to juggle between them. So I wrote down simple notes based on talks, videos, and tests. Here’s the short version.

1. v0 by Vercel – the most capable, but very generic.

Pros
• Builds complex logic fast.
• Follows instructions well.
• Code and previews load quickly.

Cons
• First drafts look chaotic with strange animations.
• Designs often feel bland when you ask for something subtle.
• Struggles with basic layout alignment.
• Preview wasn’t mirrored like a real camera app.

2. Lovable – the best visuals and overall experience, but misses logic sometimes.

Pros
• Cleanest and most modern UI.
• Shows a plan before coding, which feels reassuring.
• Adds creative touches on its own.
• Sound effects were nice once fixed.

Cons
• Ignored some specific instructions at first.
• Needed reminders to add live filter previews.

3. Bolt.new -friendly interface, but broke completely in the test.

Pros
• Shows every step it’s doing.
• Chat feels natural and clear.

Cons
• Tried to use the phone camera, which caused flashing screens and overheating.
• Couldn’t fix the bug through prompts. Prototype failed.

4. Google AI Studio (Gemini) – the weakest tool in both design and function.

Pros
• Eventually used a clean grid.
• Basic photo strip feature worked after a full restart.

Cons
• Ugly old-school Material Design look.
• First attempt failed with an error.
• Interface feels overwhelming.
• Didn’t generate real filters, only simple color changes.

5. Figma Make Designs (Beta)– the most creative, but still too buggy.

Pros
• Fun and expressive design style.
• Added extra features like frames and cute filters.
• Sounds worked immediately.

Cons
• Images didn’t load at first.
• Camera only worked after “publishing.”
• Buttons were placed randomly.
• No preview of filters until asked

AI still isn’t perfect for coding, but it’s already strong enough to help designers build real prototypes with logic, visuals, and sound. It feels like a new creative playground. I’ll definitely try to vibe-code some mini project in the next months

As an international student, and someone who’s constantly watching friends juggle life across countries, I keep coming back to one question: Why is it so hard to stay connected?

There isn’t just one reason. We’re all busy: classes, work, deadlines, life. It’s normal that it gets harder to keep up. Most families can still talk over dinner and stay in sync.
But what about people who live thousands of kilometers apart?
That’s where it gets complicated. Schedules rarely match, time zones pull people even further apart, and honestly, it’s no surprise that so many long-distance relationships fade after a few months.

Trying to understand this better, I went back to the basics: What actually makes a human connection strong?
Maybe if I answered that, the “how do we keep it?” part would make more sense.

While wandering through YouTube, I found a talk called “The hidden truth about human connection” by Dan Foxx. He basically put into words something most of us already feel deep down but rarely say out loud.

His main message was that we struggle to connect because our ego gets in the way.
We’re stuck in our own perspective instead of actually caring about the other person. Real connection comes when we shift from “What do I get out of this?” to “How can I care for this person?” That’s when relationships deepen.

Listening to him helped me see why connection feels harder today, especially across distance:

1. We treat connection like something we can postpone.
When life gets intense, it’s easy to think, “We’ll catch up later.” But relationships don’t maintain themselves. Without intention, they slowly fade.

2. Technology simulates connection but doesn’t fully deliver it.
Sending reels, emojis, or brief texts feels like staying in touch, but it doesn’t provide the presence or emotional depth we actually crave. Digital contact is convenient… but often shallow.

So how do we preserve connection even from far away?

1.Lead with empathy.
Ask real questions. Listen with care. Make space for someone else’s feelings, not just your own.

2. Be consistent, even in small ways.
Things like a voice message, a short video call, a thoughtful note matter when done with full attention. Presence beats frequency.

3. Choose depth over constant chatter.
One meaningful conversation will strengthen a connection more than a month of random memes and “how was your day?” messages.

Takeaways
Human connection is essential. It’s one of the things that makes life feel meaningful. Dan Foxx’s talk reminded me that distance isn’t the real enemy, disconnection is. And disconnection happens when we stop showing up with honesty, empathy, and intention. This talk felt like the starting point of a bigger exploration for me. I’ll might go deeper into the topic of human connection in my next posts.

I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text

Designing for complex UI with Vitaly Friedman

A while ago I worked on a CMS system for an online shop. It was a dense platform with many connections between features. Our Lead Designer created the main structure and I took care of the Design System and new components. The work was very analytical. No banners. No decorative visuals. Every color and spacing value followed strict rules. I handled hundreds of input fields, tables, filters and other parts that needed to stay consistent.

When I started thinking about my master’s thesis last year, one idea was a gamified platform for patients and doctors. Healthcare is known for high complexity and heavy cognitive load. Even though I had worked with CMS systems and dashboards, enterprise UX was still new to me. This is why I became interested in the work of Vitaly Friedman. He speaks often about complex interfaces. I watched his talk for the UX Healthcare community called Designing the complex UI. It helped me understand how to plan such projects and how to measure if a design works.

In the talk he explained common problems in healthcare and enterprise systems. They often hold too much data. They contain many layers. They have strict dependencies between features. These systems overwhelm users fast if design is not careful.

His first point was about deciding what matters most inside the product and for it he uses Task Performance Indicators. These metrics show how fast and how successfully users finish important tasks. They help designers move away from guessing.

His second point was about choosing the right user groups. He suggests three user segments. Then he suggests finding 30-40 to participants for testing, cause half of them will likely drop out so a larger pool matters.

Then he talked about creating tasks for each segment. Each user gets ten to twelve short tasks. Every task needs one clear correct answer. Descriptions should stay under thirty words so users understand them without stress.

And when the design is on the production, track these metrics regularly – every 6 to 12 months depending on the speed of the team. This shows if design choices are helping or making things worse. He also suggests bringing the same eighteen participants back when possible. This keeps the comparison fair.

He showed the EU Parliament website as an example of a heavy and well structured system. It supports twenty languages and multiple search engines and several CMS platforms, still it feels simple for the user.

At the end he mentioned sustainable design. It is often viewed as a topic for developers and project managers. Designers still need to stay aware of it. Sustainable UX keeps systems efficient and reduces waste. It is easy to forget about it when we focus only on usability.

This talk helped me understand how large systems work and what to pay attention to when planning my thesis topic.

I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text

Welcome to my first Impulse post 🙂
In this blog series, I will explore different topics connected to my master’s thesis project. At the moment, I’m considering two completely opposite directions for my thesis. One focuses on UX/UI interfaces in complex fields, while the other is rooted in creativity and expressive design. So don’t be surprised if the themes of the upcoming posts vary a lot, this variety is fully intentional and part of my exploration process.

For this first post, I want to talk about the Klanglicht Festival, because it was one of the most memorable events of October and a project that my classmates and I invested a lot of effort into.

What I Learned

Before the summer holidays, my teammates (Sara, Vefa, Alina, and Jessi) had already settled on our concept called “Wasser Rausch.” When the semester began, and Alina finished composing the soundtrack, we immediately started developing the visual elements.

To be honest, the process was challenging for me. Animation is not one of my strongest skills, and translating sound into visuals beyond the obvious choices, like circles and bubbles (our main theme), felt extremely demanding. Still, we managed to overcome that barrier.

1. Inspiration Matters

One of my first steps was searching for inspiration, and I found it in the creative works of Oscar Fischinger ( which were shown by our teachers before the summer), where shapes were simple but still impressive.

The other inspiration I found was in the opening titles of films. Title sequences helped me understand how animation can communicate the rhythm of a story, emotional tone, and even a character’s personality.

2. Teamwork Changes Everything

Dividing the workload turned out to be incredibly effective. I was genuinely lucky to work with such motivated and hardworking girls. One head is good, but five are amazing. None of us were experts in After Effects, yet everyone invested maximum effort into mastering their tasks. We also gave each other creative freedom, which made the final outcome unique.

3. Preparation Saves Time

This may seem obvious, but it’s difficult to follow when juggling multiple projects. At the beginning of the summer, I started learning After Effects just to get familiar with the basics. This early preparation helped a lot and reduced the amount of time I needed for learning during the production phase, although it definitely didn’t eliminate them entirely. Still, having those foundations made the whole process much smoother.

Connection to My Thesis

My second thesis idea was deeply inspired by small animated design details that feel almost magical. So my ultimate goal is to create a product where the interaction itself becomes enchanting. To achieve this, I plan to research motion effects, analyze which ones could enhance usability and emotional engagement, and eventually integrate the best ones into my project

I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text

Author: Lisa Fresser / Tina Schart 
Title: User Interface Design of a Smartphone Application for Early Detection and Reduction of Risk Factors for Dementia as Part of an EU Study 
Year of publication: 2022 

Why I chose this master thesis: The idea for my own master thesis is also focused on creating an app for preventive health measures with gamification elements. This thesis intrigued me because it explores a very similar concept, but with a more specific focus on early detection and reduction of dementia risk factors. Additionally, the project was developed in collaboration with other health institutions, which adds to a practical, real-world dimension that I find inspiring and relevant to my own work. 
 

–> How is the artifact documented in the thesis? 

The main outcome of the project, referred to as the artifact, was the concept and design of the LETHE app. The thesis documents the artifact thoroughly by presenting the design process, wireframes, user interface concepts, and interactive prototypes. It also includes detailed explanations of the design decisions, user scenarios, and feedback from workshops, making it easy to understand how the app was developed and why certain design choices were made. 

–> Where and how can it be accessed? 
As it was mentioned in the Master thesis, the app had launched in 2022, and should had be ongoing till 2024. But after some google search I discovered that the project was prolonged and still on the developing mode. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the app in the App-store nor in the Play Market, suggesting that it’s still on the developing stage and the thesis itself is promary source to review the concept and design of the app 
 

–> Do the theoretical arguments and the practical implementation align? 
Yes, the theoretical foundation of the project aligns well with the practical implementation. The design decisions and interface solutions clearly reflect the research on user needs, early detection of dementia risk factors, and UX principles. The artifact demonstrates a consistent connection between theory and practice throughout the development process. 

–> Is the documentation clear and comprehensible? 
Yes, the thesis is well-structured and comprehensible. Each stage of the design process is clearly documented, supported by visual materials such as wireframes and mockups. The logical flow of the thesis allows readers to understand the development process step by step, even if they are not experts in UX or healthcare applications. 

–> Does the quality of the work piece meet the standards expected of a master’s thesis? 
Yes, the work meets the standards expected of a master’s thesis. The artifact shows a high level of competence, and the thesis demonstrates methodological rigor, originality, and attention to detail. 

Overall presentation quality: 10/10 
The thesis is very well-presented, with a clear structure and logical progression. The outcome, the design of the LETHE app, is impressive and professionally documented. 
 
Degree of innovation: 8/10 
The project focuses on detecting and reducing risk factors for dementia. While the idea is not entirely new, it is valuable and well-executed. The potential impact is significant; if the app reaches a larger user base than the initial 160 users mentioned, it could make a meaningful contribution to the healthcare field. 

Independence: 9/10 
The students demonstrated strong independence throughout the project. They showed high organization from diving into history of gamification and how to apply it (Octalysis Framework) to handling ideation and testing workshops with potential users and support of medical workers like Helena Untersteiner from the department of Neurology at the AKH. I believe that collaboration with health and high-academic institutes provided students with the source-information from real patients and as a result led to the best structure of the app rather if it would be handled in normal-environment 

Organization and structure: 10/10 
The thesis is highly organized, following all steps of the design thinking process. Each section is logically connected, making it easy to follow the progression from research to final design. 

Communication: 8/10 
The thesis communicated ideas clearly, though at times the documentation could have been more concise. Some images were repetitive or could have been simplified, but overall, the presentation was effective. 
I like how they mentioned the problems they faced throughout the testing part and how it helped them to concentrate on fulfilling the content part of the app 
 
Scope: 10/10 
The length and depth of the thesis are appropriate given the seriousness and complexity of the topic. The project provides sufficient detail without overwhelming the reader. 
 

Accuracy and attention to detail: 10/10 
The thesis demonstrated a high level of precision and formal accuracy. The language and terminology were consistent throughout. However, from a UX designer’s perspective, I would suggest adding an option to increase the typography size, considering that the target users were primarily people aged 60 and above. 
 

Literature: 8/10 
The thesis cites reliable sources, including Statista and WHO data. However, UX-related research could have been strengthened by referencing more specialized sources, such as the Nielsen Norman Group or Baymard Institute, rather than LinkedIn or Medium posts. 
 

 
Conclusion: 
Overall, I’m impressed by the quality and scale of the project. I saved some gamification articles they used that might help me in the future. And for sure this thesis inspired me to consider reaching out to health organizations for potential collaboration opportunities. 

Note: This text was proofread and grammar-checked with the help of ChatGPT.