Soft Link

Type / NHS Project
Duration / 3 months
Category / System Design
Work Type / Individual

User Instruction

Target Group: University freshers experiencing life transitions who may have avoidant tendencies or high social anxiety.

Concept

Brief Description

Soft Link is a service system designed to alleviate loneliness and social anxiety among university freshers. By combining a digital platform with physical interaction touchpoints, it guides users from low-pressure interest sharing to deeper community connections.

Core

Low-Pressure Social Grading: Facilitates gradual social interaction through shared interests like photography or baking rather than forced direct contact.
‍O2O Interaction System: Integrates a mobile app for interest matching with physical "Soft Link" pins that serve as social icebreakers in real-world settings.
Preventative Intervention:  Focuses on building a sense of belonging early in the university transition to support mental wellbeing before chronic issues develop.

Ideation

Outcome

System Blueprinting: Developed value constellations to map interactions between students, clubs, and local businesses.

Prototype Evolution: Transitioned from basic colorful interactive cards to a system involving wearable smart pins and a dedicated mobile interface.

Ethical Validation: Refined the service model through research ethics approval processes to ensure safe data collection and effective behavioral guidance.
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