Untold Words
Leave your untold stories behind
Year :
2024
Industry :
Mental Health
Role :
Product Designer (Individual Project)
Project Duration :
Jan 2024 - Apr 2024
Problem: Many people carry stories they regret not saying or feel too overwhelmed to share publicly. Opening up reduces stress, yet social stigma often prevents honest expression. The challenge was: How might we create a platform that enables deeper connections between strangers while promoting relief and relaxation?
Solution: Untold Words is an anonymous voice recording app. It provides a judgment-free space where users can release their "untold stories" into the digital void or listen to others worldwide, deepening human connection without the pressure of identity.
Inspiration
The Inspiration: The concept was inspired by a South Korean exhibition where visitors answered ringing phones to hear anonymous messages, which were later "released into the wind" at the Ushuaia lighthouse.
Personas
The Personas: To balance the ecosystem, I developed two personas:
Emma (The Speaker): A teacher overwhelmed by pressure who needs a private space to vent.
Daniel (The Listener): A remote developer who feels isolated and wants to explore global perspectives.
Wireframing
From Research to Structure: Based on my research, I developed four "How Might We" statements to guide the ideation phase. I then translated these concepts into mid-fidelity wireframes, establishing the core flow before introducing visual details.
Refinement: These wireframes served as the blueprint for the high-fidelity iteration, ensuring that the navigation between "recording a story" and "listening to others" was intuitive.
Key Features
1. Anonymity via AI: To prioritize privacy, the app applies an AI-driven Voice Changer to every recording. The AI randomizes the filter to ensure identities remain concealed, and the app explicitly asks for consent before recording begins.
2. The "Flown Away" Mechanism: To mimic the feeling of "releasing" a burden, recordings are deleted at the end of each month. Users receive an animation of their stories flying away to the Pacific Ocean, visually symbolizing leaving those stories behind to find calm.
3. Global Connection: To bridge cultural gaps, I integrated an AI Translator. This feature displays translated scripts for voice recordings, allowing users like "Daniel" to explore untold stories from around the world without language barriers.
Visual Identity
Visual Metaphor: The visual identity centers around an "Open Door" amidst a dark background. This symbolizes the transition from keeping secrets (darkness) to releasing them (light).
Atmosphere: The dark blue palette was chosen to evoke the calmness of night—a time when people are most reflective—while the yellow accents provide a sense of warmth and hope.
Credits
Key Collaborators:
Sole Product Designer
Tools:
Figma / Adobe Illustrator