CPT208 Human-Centric Computing | Group B4-3
Bridging Generations Through Playful Shared Experiences
Explore Our ProjectB4 - Relation between Generations
Create a playful mobile web experience that strengthens emotional bonds between grandparents and grandchildren through shared cultural activities.
Mobile Web App (Hybrid: Online + Onsite)
XR (Extended Reality), Tangible Interaction
In modern Chinese society, the rapid pace of urbanization and digital transformation has created a growing emotional gap between generations. Younger family members are deeply immersed in digital culture, while grandparents often feel disconnected from the fast-evolving technological world. Traditional family gatherings, such as the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner, remain one of the few moments where all generations come together. However, even during these precious occasions, meaningful intergenerational interaction is often lacking — younger members may be absorbed in their phones while elders sit quietly.
Bridge of Time aims to transform these shared moments into playful, engaging experiences that celebrate cultural heritage while fostering genuine emotional connections across generations. By designing a mobile web application with tangible and potentially XR-enhanced interactions, we hope to create a "bridge" that connects the wisdom of the past with the energy of the present.
Group B4-3 | CPT208 Human-Centric Computing | AY2025-26
Student ID: 2254070
Student ID: 2362835
Student ID: 2360890
Student ID: 2360890
Our design targets two primary user groups in a Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner scenario
Age: 20 | College Student
Xiao Ming is a second-year university student studying Computer Science at XJTLU. He lives on campus most of the year and only returns home during major holidays. He is highly digital-native, spending most of his time on social media and gaming.
Xiao Ming has just returned home for the Spring Festival. Sitting at the dinner table, he wants to connect with his grandmother but struggles to find common topics. He feels the generational gap deeply — his world of memes, games, and tech feels alien to her, and her stories of the past seem distant to him.
"I wish there was something fun we could do together at dinner, instead of me just scrolling my phone while grandma watches TV."
Age: 72 | Retired Teacher
Grandma Wang is a retired primary school teacher living in a small city in Jiangsu Province. She raised three children and now has five grandchildren. She uses a smartphone mainly for WeChat video calls and watching short videos. She loves cooking traditional dishes and telling stories about the family's history.
Grandma Wang has spent the entire day preparing the New Year's Eve feast. She is delighted to have the whole family together, but notices that the younger generation is glued to their phones. She wishes she could share her childhood memories and family traditions in a way that would captivate her grandchildren's attention.
"I have so many stories to tell, but the children are always busy with their phones. I wish we could do something together like we used to."
Literature review and competitive analysis (Coming in Week 4)
4 academic papers analyzing intergenerational communication, playful design, and family bonding through technology.
In Progress4 commercial products reviewed for strengths and gaps in connecting different generations.
In ProgressField observations and interviews with families to understand real pain points during gatherings.
PlannedIdeation, prototyping, and iteration (Coming in Week 6-8)
Topic selection, team formation, portfolio setup
User research, personas, journey mapping
Crazy Eights, design alternatives, low-fi prototype
High-fi prototype, poster presentation, alpha system
Usability testing, iteration, final submission