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connectopia
reinventing SOCIAL INTERACTIONs WITH TECH
OVERVIEW
timeline
timeline
September 2022 —
June 2023
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
UX/UI Design, Research, Mobile design, Visual Art, 3D, Web Design
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Web Design, Storytelling, UX/UI, Motion Design, Readymag, Development, Visual Research
Blending gaming, social media, and real‑life exploration, Connectopia is a phygital game concept that helps people find meaningful connections through a virtual mentor guide. It encourages micro‑interactions and exchanges between strangers in real life, aiming to forge a sense of community and address the crisis of disconnection in our crowded yet lonely cities.
Are you lonely?
Understanding
Students
When certain circumstances forced me to a new country, an experience I hadn't eagerly anticipated, I found myself stuck in complete isolation, which is a common issue in large cities. Living in this environment, I observed how individuals often remain confined within their own social bubbles, especially outside work or school environments. This phenomenon seemed exacerbated by recent trends in personalization and the impacts of COVID-19. My project began as a personal quest to understand and address this issue. By promoting simple, real-life interactions between strangers, my aim was to create micro-connections, countering the growing trends. The quantitative research further validates this issue.
When certain circumstances forced me to a new country, an experience I hadn't eagerly anticipated, I found myself stuck in complete isolation, which is a common issue in large cities. Living in this environment, I observed how individuals often remain confined within their own social bubbles, especially outside work or school environments. This phenomenon seemed exacerbated by recent trends in personalization and the impacts of COVID-19. My project began as a personal quest to understand and address this issue. By promoting simple, real-life interactions between strangers, my aim was to create micro-connections, countering the growing trends. The quantitative research further validates this issue.
When certain circumstances forced me to a new country, an experience I hadn't eagerly anticipated, I found myself stuck in complete isolation, which is a common issue in large cities. Living in this environment, I observed how individuals often remain confined within their own social bubbles, especially outside work or school environments. This phenomenon seemed exacerbated by recent trends in personalization and the impacts of COVID-19. My project began as a personal quest to understand and address this issue. By promoting simple, real-life interactions between strangers, my aim was to create micro-connections, countering the growing trends. The quantitative research further validates this issue.
Cultural research
To ground the concept, I conducted cultural research exploring precedents and social instincts that drive us to form communities . I examined how shared beliefs bind people together and the symbols we use to express belonging. These findings shaped the game’s aesthetic and its focus on shared experiences.
To ground the concept, I conducted cultural research exploring precedents and social instincts that drive us to form communities . I examined how shared beliefs bind people together and the symbols we use to express belonging. These findings shaped the game’s aesthetic and its focus on shared experiences.
To ground the concept, I conducted cultural research exploring precedents and social instincts that drive us to form communities . I examined how shared beliefs bind people together and the symbols we use to express belonging. These findings shaped the game’s aesthetic and its focus on shared experiences.
Market research
Most digital solutions for social connection—dating apps, online gaming and social media—dominate our interactions yet often commodify them . While these platforms offer temporary relief, they rarely foster deep, lasting relationships. Connectopia aims to fill that gap by blending digital playfulness with genuine human connection.
Most digital solutions for social connection—dating apps, online gaming and social media—dominate our interactions yet often commodify them . While these platforms offer temporary relief, they rarely foster deep, lasting relationships. Connectopia aims to fill that gap by blending digital playfulness with genuine human connection.
Most digital solutions for social connection—dating apps, online gaming and social media—dominate our interactions yet often commodify them . While these platforms offer temporary relief, they rarely foster deep, lasting relationships. Connectopia aims to fill that gap by blending digital playfulness with genuine human connection.
Trends
The project draws on emerging trends in phygital experiences, wearable devices and gamified interactions. It embraces sensor‑driven technology and community‑built content, reflecting how modern users seek more immersive and meaningful ways to meet new people.
The project draws on emerging trends in phygital experiences, wearable devices and gamified interactions. It embraces sensor‑driven technology and community‑built content, reflecting how modern users seek more immersive and meaningful ways to meet new people.
The project draws on emerging trends in phygital experiences, wearable devices and gamified interactions. It embraces sensor‑driven technology and community‑built content, reflecting how modern users seek more immersive and meaningful ways to meet new people.
Who is this for
Connectopia is designed for people who feel disconnected
in busy urban environments — students, newcomers and anyone looking to break out of their routine and meet others with shared interests. It appeals to digital natives who enjoy gaming but crave real‑world interactions.
Connectopia is designed for people who feel disconnected
in busy urban environments — students, newcomers and anyone looking to break out of their routine and meet others with shared interests. It appeals to digital natives who enjoy gaming but crave real‑world interactions.
Connectopia is designed for people who feel disconnected
in busy urban environments — students, newcomers and anyone looking to break out of their routine and meet others with shared interests. It appeals to digital natives who enjoy gaming but crave real‑world interactions.
How it works
Players begin by picking their social priorities (e.g., hobbies, causes) and choosing a resident character who “moves into” their wearable pendant . As they walk around in the physical world, the device guides them toward nearby people with similar interests. NFC stickers act as exchange points: users can leave or collect items to customise their avatars or rooms, and even discover messages left by others . Abandoned tags transform into “egg stations” where rare characters can be found and virtual items traded, encouraging ongoing exploration and community engagement.
Players begin by picking their social priorities (e.g., hobbies, causes) and choosing a resident character who “moves into” their wearable pendant . As they walk around in the physical world, the device guides them toward nearby people with similar interests. NFC stickers act as exchange points: users can leave or collect items to customise their avatars or rooms, and even discover messages left by others . Abandoned tags transform into “egg stations” where rare characters can be found and virtual items traded, encouraging ongoing exploration and community engagement.
Players begin by picking their social priorities (e.g., hobbies, causes) and choosing a resident character who “moves into” their wearable pendant . As they walk around in the physical world, the device guides them toward nearby people with similar interests. NFC stickers act as exchange points: users can leave or collect items to customise their avatars or rooms, and even discover messages left by others . Abandoned tags transform into “egg stations” where rare characters can be found and virtual items traded, encouraging ongoing exploration and community engagement.
Characters
During onboarding, players pick one of three Connectopian scientists to accompany them . These characters “travel from their planet” to study human social behaviour, each offering unique assistance based on their personality. Once enough people have been met, the character returns home, and the journey becomes an achievement in the user’s gallery. Rare Connectopians from egg stations carry special attributes that unlock exclusive social circles and interests .
During onboarding, players pick one of three Connectopian scientists to accompany them . These characters “travel from their planet” to study human social behaviour, each offering unique assistance based on their personality. Once enough people have been met, the character returns home, and the journey becomes an achievement in the user’s gallery. Rare Connectopians from egg stations carry special attributes that unlock exclusive social circles and interests .
During onboarding, players pick one of three Connectopian scientists to accompany them . These characters “travel from their planet” to study human social behaviour, each offering unique assistance based on their personality. Once enough people have been met, the character returns home, and the journey becomes an achievement in the user’s gallery. Rare Connectopians from egg stations carry special attributes that unlock exclusive social circles and interests .
Design system
During onboarding, players pick one of three Connectopian scientists to accompany them . These characters “travel from their planet” to study human social behaviour, each offering unique assistance based on their personality. Once enough people have been met, the character returns home, and the journey becomes an achievement in the user’s gallery. Rare Connectopians from egg stations carry special attributes that unlock exclusive social circles and interests .
During onboarding, players pick one of three Connectopian scientists to accompany them . These characters “travel from their planet” to study human social behaviour, each offering unique assistance based on their personality. Once enough people have been met, the character returns home, and the journey becomes an achievement in the user’s gallery. Rare Connectopians from egg stations carry special attributes that unlock exclusive social circles and interests .
During onboarding, players pick one of three Connectopian scientists to accompany them . These characters “travel from their planet” to study human social behaviour, each offering unique assistance based on their personality. Once enough people have been met, the character returns home, and the journey becomes an achievement in the user’s gallery. Rare Connectopians from egg stations carry special attributes that unlock exclusive social circles and interests .
NEW YORK, US
NEW YORK, US
LAST UPDATED
LAST UPDATED
JULY 20 2025
JULY 20 2025