it's a very commonly held and often repeated belief that long distance relationships don't work, and

aren't sustainable or worth the trouble.

jessi wilson | degree project | background

i think these numbers help to provide the background of how common ldrs are. keep in mind these are 8 years old and predate easy webcam access.

please note: these stats are old! we know how much better technology is since 2005.

~3%
of marriages are considered to be long distance

1 in 10
marriages experience a period of distance in their rst 3 years

3.5 million
long distance marriages in the united states

4.5 million
unmarried relationships maintained in college

jessi wilson | degree project | background

i think these numbers help to provide the background of how common ldrs are. keep in mind these are 8 years old and predate easy webcam access.

jessi wilson | degree project | background

what these numbers can't address, though, and what the apps often don't get into, is how people spend the time they can't spend on their webcam, and how that "gameplan" (or relationship model) that makes successful ldrs work gets formulated. it's not something we're explicitly taught how to negotiate, but can be learned through our own experiences and the shared experiences of others in similar circumstances.

125 mi
average distance between partners surveyed in 2005

615 mi
average distance between partners i surveyed in 2012 (excluding deployment distances)

almost 40%
southeastern university students currently were or had been in a LDR

visit ~1
jessi wilson | degree project | background

me a month

average visits in both 2005 survey & my research

what these numbers can't address, though, and what the apps often don't get into, is how people spend the time they can't spend on their webcam, and how that "gameplan" (or relationship model) that makes successful ldrs work gets formulated. it's not something we're explicitly taught how to negotiate, but can be learned through our own experiences and the shared experiences of others in similar circumstances.

whats out there already to help?

jessi wilson | degree project | audit

but nobodys saying it isnt difficult. what kinds of support already exists? * this app connects people, whether short or long distance.

whats out there already to help?

jessi wilson | degree project | audit

but nobodys saying it isnt difficult. what kinds of support already exists? * this app connects people, whether short or long distance.

jessi wilson | degree project | audit

these experiential pillows connect distanced lovers through their heartbeats. but what about advice?

audit of similar

jessi wilson | degree project | audit

websites like we are in it together and loving from a distance seem helpful, * but theyre both the work of one person or one couple, writing articles that imply what worked for them will work for everyone. the decit i nd here is the lack of simultaneous, equal voices and personal interconnectivity that a social media platform allows for.which leads me to my big question and proposal of artifact:

audit of similar

jessi wilson | degree project | audit

websites like we are in it together and loving from a distance seem helpful, * but theyre both the work of one person or one couple, writing articles that imply what worked for them will work for everyone. the decit i nd here is the lack of simultaneous, equal voices and personal interconnectivity that a social media platform allows for.which leads me to my big question and proposal of artifact:

how can social media help provide reassurance and external support to an individual in a long distance rela onship?

jessi wilson | degree project | big question

audience

jessi wilson | degree project | audience

jessi wilson | degree project | audience

the audience is people in long-distance relationships, people who are about to attempt or begin long-distance relationships, and people who have recently ended long distance relationships. these can be further divided into: those who begin together, and then separate due to outside circumstances; those who meet in person, but are from a distance, and begin long distance; and those who enter a relationship with someone they meet a way that isn't in person (ie: online). these can be people of any age, but may more likely be young adults, college- aged and older, given the uncertainty of location in their education and early career. another specic group are military couples whose partners may be unable to even talk for extended periods, let alone see one another in person.

context

jessi wilson | degree project | context

i would expect this to provide a web-based social media experience not unlike facebook, twitter, or the new myspace. i imagine it not as something a user visits and checks every day, but as something they return to once their partner leaves town, when theyre feeling low, or when they have a fun story they want to share with people who can relate.

jessi wilson | degree project | artifact

i want the experience to be very tailorable to how different people want to use it, so i mapped out different experiences that the platform could provide. this led me to four subquestions to live under the big umbrella of the rst, answerable with user scenarios.

how can "mentorship" be used to encourage those who are frightened about the beginning of an LDR?
scenario: someone nding and contacting a mentor

jessi wilson | degree project | subquestions

how can this platform allow for both online and of ine friendship and companionship?
scenario: nding/setting up a live meet-up

jessi wilson | degree project | subquestions

jessi wilson | degree project | subquestions

i created this map of ways to search for users to answer the rst two subquestions.

how can the online community help someone navigate a "rough patch" in their LDR?
scenario: seeking advice on a topic, e.g. cheating

jessi wilson | degree project | subquestions

how can interactive information design help a separated partner connect with others' experiences?
scenario: sorting the overall stream of content by mood/tag

jessi wilson | degree project | subquestions

jessi wilson | degree project | subquestions

this map explores some of content that would be expressed into the stream, whether its a happy story or a cry for help.

jessi wilson | degree project | inspiration

im excited about how the new myspace handles and balances its stream of different kinds of content that with beautiful moments and lters.

goals

jessi wilson | degree project | goals

through i hope to strengthen my understanding of the ideas weve learned in user experience, info architecture, and multimedia experience by targeting a group and working to dene and address their needs. i also hope to envision a useful and handsome user interface, and produce emotionally moving promotional material for this system.

jessi wilson | degree project | proposed schedule

here is an outline of how i (probably navely) intend to use my time on this project, not unlike a schedule for mx.

how can social media help provide reassurance and external support to an individual in a long distance rela onship?

jessi wilson | degree project | big question | thanks for any feedback!

and heres my big question again. thank you for listening!

how can "mentorship" be used to encourage those who are frightened about the beginning of an LDR?
scenario: someone nding and contacting a mentor

how can this platform allow for both online and of ine friendship and companionship?
scenario: nding/setting up a live meet-up

how can the online community help someone navigate a "rough patch" in their LDR?
scenario: seeking advice on a topic, e.g. cheating

how can interactive information design help a separated partner connect with others' experiences?
scenario: sorting the overall stream of content by mood/tag
jessi wilson | degree project | subquestions | thanks for any feedback!