[Case Study Sabios]
Accessible design for older adults that achieved an 87.5% success rate in key tasks
[Accessibility / Emotional Health / Social Interaction]
Prototype validated with 87.5% success in key tasks and 24% increase in willingness to socialize.
Accessible design that promotes digital inclusion in older adults.
[Project summary]
I designed a prototype for a mobile social app for adults over 55, with the goal of decreasing isolation and encouraging community connection. The project focused on creating an intuitive, accessible, and emotionally meaningful experience, adapted to people with low digital familiarity.
[Problem identified]
Older adults often face social isolation and barriers when using conventional digital platforms, which are characterized by unintuitive navigation, technical terminology, and visual accessibility deficiencies. The challenge was to design a digital solution focused on empathy and usability, applying universal accessibility principles and removing obstacles to promote technology adoption in a group of adults over 55 years of age.
[Results]
During testing, 87.5% of older adults successfully completed their tasks, reflecting clear navigation and an easy to understand interface. Willingness to socialize increased by 24%, a sign that the app encouraged interaction and trust. In addition, positive perceptions of accessibility reached 95%, and overall satisfaction scored 85/100 on the SUS scale, confirming that the design was not only functional but also a meaningful and human digital experience.
[Focus area]
Accessibility
Social interaction
Emotional health
Digital inclusion
[My role]
UX Research
Design System
Usability Testing
UX/UI Design
Prototyping
Interaction Design
[Tools used]
Figma
Useberry
Notion
Figjam
Google Forms
[Platform]
Mobile
Prototype
[Timeline]
October 2024 - Dec 2024
Redefining social connection in older adults
While technology evolves faster than people, many older adults feel excluded from digital life. Current platforms were designed for immediacy, not empathy, creating an emotional divide where older adults are often excluded and cannot find spaces where they feel comfortable, understood, and accompanied.
Sabios was created as an accessible and user-friendly digital platform designed to create social connections between older adults through shared interests, conversation groups, and meaningful activities. Its purpose is to reduce loneliness and strengthen interpersonal relationships through a warm, intuitive experience free of technological friction.
More than just an app, Sabios seeks to create a community with an environment where life experience becomes shared value, and where each user feels part of something bigger than a network, a community that listens, shares, and accompanies.
💡 A product designed not only to communicate, but also to connect and build bonds that reduce social anxiety in older adults.
💬 Design that transforms communication into real connection
Designing interactions that inspire trust and continuity
🔔 Maintaining motivation and a sense of connection
🫂 Spaces to connect with confidence
😊 Building digital trust
[The challenge]
🧠 The initial challenge was to design an empathetic and accessible social network for a different generation.
The challenge was to create a social app that would strengthen older adults connection and emotional wellness, promoting authentic relationships and reducing loneliness through technology.
This project was my own choice, as I was looking for a challenge that would take me out of my comfort zone. Designing for a generation different from my own represented an opportunity to exercise empathy and accessibility based on understanding, not assumption.
I had to let go of my own digital references to understand how those who grew up in a different context perceive technology, what motivates them to participate, and what intimidates them about doing it.
Beyond design, this process broadened my professional vision. It taught me that designing for diverse audiences means creating technology that accompanies them, and it reaffirmed my belief that true UX design seeks to connect with purpose and humanity.
[Context and relevance of the project]
🧍♂️ Loneliness in the digital age and the urgent need to design accessible solutions for older adults
Loneliness in older adults is not just a statistic, but a human experience that directly affects emotional and physical health. Designing for them involves understanding their fears, motivations, and desires for connection.
👵🏼👴🏼
Loneliness and emotional disconnection
Population aging is a global phenomenon. At this stage, many people face social isolation and loss of meaningful connections.
According to the World Health Organization, loneliness increases the risk of depression by more than 50%, affecting both mental and physical health.
📱
Digital and cognitive barriers
Current platforms were not designed for this audience.
Unintuitive interfaces, complex technical language, and poor visual accessibility lead to frustration, abandonment, and mistrust.
This reinforces the digital divide and social exclusion.
🌐
Designing for inclusion
The app is an accessible and empathetic social network that seeks to reduce isolation and foster community connection.
• Clear and usable digital interactions, adapted to people with low technological familiarity.
• Accessible communication channels, opening up both virtual and face-to-face spaces.
• An inclusive environment that facilitates trust, social bonds, and the possibility of new friendships.
[Exploration]
🔍 Eight conversations with older adults revealed that, while they value digital socialization, they still need more accessible and meaningful environments.
I interviewed eight older adults between the ages of 53 and 63 to understand how they use technology in their daily lives, what barriers they face, and what motivates them to socialize in digital environments.
These interviews became the basis for identifying behavior patterns and opportunities for inclusive design.
🔑
Insights from the interviews
👨👩👧 Using networks for existing connections
WhatsApp and Facebook were the main channels for family and social contact, but they are not perceived as spaces for making new friends.
🔒 Limited trust in digital technology.
There is a fear of sharing personal information and a preference for smaller or face to face interactions. They need environments that convey security and control.
🎯 Clear social motivations
Some people use apps to coordinate activities such as sports, reading, or hobbies, always looking for a common interest.
🧑💻 Technological support dependency
Although many consider themselves autonomous, most require initial support or guidance to learn new platforms.
🌱 Need for belonging and meaning
More than a tool, they are looking for a trustworthy community where they feel heard and emotionally connected.
These interviews made it clear that the challenge was not only to improve usability, but to design a digital experience that builds trust, company, and purpose. This insight redefined the design problem and set the course for a truly empathetic and accessible solution.
[Personas]
👥 The profiles revealed two ways of socializing digitally: the intimate and trusting nature of small groups, and the communal and expansive nature of large groups.
Two archetypes emerged from the interviews that represent the main ways older adults relate to technology.
One seeks close and secure connections through familiar channels such as WhatsApp or phone calls, while the other prefers broad community spaces where they can share advice, experiences, and hobbies.
These patterns guided key decisions regarding the flows, hierarchies, and tone of the interface, ensuring that each type of user could feel comfortable and understood within the same application.
👨
Rodolfo Valdés (62 years old, Mexico City)
Intellectual and introverted, he seeks to socialize in small, trusted groups (WhatsApp, phone calls). He gets frustrated when he can't find people with similar interests and needs clear explanations on how to use technology.
• He inspired simple flows, clear micro interactions, and small, safe spaces for socializing.
👩
Carmen López (55 years old, Guanajuato)
Sociable and optimistic, she enjoys sharing tips and participating in digital communities (Facebook, groups). Although she likes interaction, she gets overwhelmed with too much information.
• She encouraged simple notifications, clear navigation, and community spaces organized by interests.
🔑
Key insights
There are two forms of digital socialization among older adults:
• Intimate and close (Rodolfo), based on trust and small groups.
• Collective and communitarian (Carmen), oriented toward participation in larger groups.
Rodolfo Valdez
Retired accountant
"Making connections with new people helps me stay active and grow as a person."
Age: 62 years old
Location: Mexico City
Technological skill: Intermediate
Gender: Male
Intellectual
Introverted
Pacific
[Needs]
Expand his social circle with people of his age.
Find new hobbies and interests.
Stay in frequent contact with family and friends.
Reduce downtime at home.
[Frustrations]
Difficulty finding people with common interests or sports.
A certain distrust of new applications.
Technology understood in a standard way (requires clear explanations).
[Goals]
Socialize more without neglecting his family.
Build strong relationships with people who share same interests.
Stay intellectually active through meaningful conversations.
[Motivations]
Hobbies such as reading, light sports, gardening.
Meaningful conversations (cultural and intellectual topics).
Use simple technology to stay connected (WhatsApp, calls, photos).
Carmen López
Teacher soon to retire
“I like to chat, share advice, and stay in touch, but I need technology to be easy to use.”
Age: 55 years old
Location: Guanajuato
Technological skill: High
Gender: Female
Sociable
Extroverted
careful
[Needs]
Staying in constant contact with family and friends.
Participate in online groups or communities with shared interests.
Clear applications, with large buttons and simple navigation.
Reminders or notifications so she don't miss events or conversations.
[Frustrations]
Low familiarity with new applications.
Difficulty making friends outside their close circle.
Reduced time for activities with other people.
Spend more time with her students who are young, rather than with people her own age.
[Goals]
Share advices, recipes, or experiences with others.
Finding new friends through hobbies.
Socialize more in digital spaces without feeling lost.
[Motivation]
Conversations about hobbies, home remedies, sewing, or gardening.
Use easy apps to stay in touch.
Gradually learn new digital tools.
[Benchmark]
📊 When comparing Stitch and BondUP, I discovered that the biggest challenge is not the range of features, but rather low activity and mistrust in payments.
I analyzed two social applications aimed at older adults (Stitch and BondUP) to identify patterns of interaction, barriers to adoption, and opportunities for accessible design. The goal was to detect usable strengths and value gaps that could guide Sabios' proposal.
Strengths
Exclusive focus on the over 50 years old
High security and identity verification
Multiple connection options
Institutionally supported and highly valued
Opportunities
Expansion into less active areas through virtual events
Review system to build trust
Guides or digital support to improve accessibility
Partnerships with non-profit organizations and community centers
Weaknesses
Low local activity in certain areas
Key features behind subscription
Complaints about charges or payments
Risk of fraud or false events
Threats
Limited community prevents interaction
Mistrust due to privacy concerns and potential charges
Competitors on the rise
Vulnerability to abuse, even when precautions are taken
Strengths
Pioneer in the over 55 age group in Latin America
Support from local authorities
Active in-person and online events
Comprehensive health and wellness services
Opportunities
National and international scalability
Strategic alliances with malls and organizations
Favorable population growth
Offer exclusive added value
Weaknesses
Small user base
Freemium model with required payments
Dependence on in-person events
Emerging infrastructure
Threats
Competition from generalist platforms
Resistance to subscriptions among older users
Limitations in areas with low connectivity
Risk of low engagement if the offer is not renewed
🔑
Lessons learned from benchmarking
🛡️ Trust and security as differentiators
Both apps prioritize identity verification and security as a key perceived value.
🌍 Lack of local activity
Stitch shows low participation in specific areas, while BondUP depends on in-person events, which limits digital scalability.
💰 Unattractive business models
The freemium system and subscription fees generate mistrust among older adults, reducing their commitment to the platform.
♿ Accessibility still insufficient
Although digital support exists, there is no real assistance for users with low technological literacy.
🤝 Opportunity for community partnerships
Both platforms highlight the potential for collaboration with non-governmental organizations, local communities, and social centers as ways to build trust and legitimacy.
These findings showed that the design opportunity was not in replicating functions, but in creating an empathetic, intuitive, and emotionally meaningful digital experience capable of reducing friction and strengthening the confidence of older adults.
[Definition of the design problem]
🫂 Older adults are not looking for more technology; they are looking to feel accompanied.
After analyzing existing platforms and listening to older adults in interviews and open conversations, I realized that the main challenge was not to improve technology, but to redefine how older people feel supported in digital environments.
Although they use tools such as WhatsApp or Facebook, many experience frustration, mistrust, and emotional disconnection when trying to expand their social life online.
They seek simple, meaningful, and human interactions, but current platforms are not adapted to their rhythm, level of technological literacy, or need for trust. Older adults lack a digital space that promotes social connection without relying on complex processes or impersonal environments. Generalist platforms prioritize immediacy, generating anxiety and abandonment of use.
In addition, I discovered that most people are not looking for romantic relationships, but rather connections based on friendship, conversation, and emotional support. This understanding became an ethical and design pillar that guided the creation of Sabios, a safe space for connecting, not for conquering.
🔑
Research insights
👥 Meaningful social connection
They seek authentic relationships with family, friends, and new people who share their interests.
📱 Simple and reliable technology
They prefer easy, familiar, and secure tools such as WhatsApp, calls, and clear messages.
🙋 Guided learning
They need step-by-step explanations and close support to use new technologies without frustration.
💬 Meaningful conversations
They enjoy talking about hobbies, pastimes, practical advice, and shared experiences.
🚧 Limitations and challenges
Mistrust of new apps, reduced mobility, and difficulty finding safe environments.
🤝 Genuine connections, not romantic ones
They prioritize empathy, conversation, and shared interests, avoiding romantic dynamics.
[Routes]
✈️ Older adults experience digital socialization as a journey that begins with enthusiasm but is soon interrupted by frustration when reciprocity fails to appear.
To better understand the emotions and behaviors of older adults in digital environments, I decided to map their current experiences on platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. The goal was to identify which moments generate motivation, anxiety, or abandonment, and how design can intervene to reduce frustration and strengthen emotional connection.
Interactions on these platforms generate initial enthusiasm, but also anxiety in the face of lack of response or excess stimulation, highlighting the need for clear feedback, accessibility, and balance between intimacy and collectivity.
👨
Rodolfo on WhatsApp
Experiences closeness and trust in small groups, but becomes disillusioned when he does not receive an immediate response or the conversation stops. His experience demonstrates the importance of designing reminders, warm micro-interactions, and conversational continuity.
👩
Karen on Facebook
She enjoys sharing tips and participating in large communities, although she finds the excess of notifications and messages overwhelming. Her experience highlights the need to select information and simplify interaction in order to maintain motivation.
These journeys revealed that the design should create digital spaces that balance the intimate and the collective:
• Close, simple, and easy to manage interactions.
• Communities organized by interests.
• Visible and affective feedback to avoid frustration.
[User Stories using the MoSCoW method]
🧑🤝🧑 Older adults prioritize socializing in small groups and receiving clear reminders so they don't miss activities.
After mapping user journeys, I used the MoSCoW method to prioritize the most relevant needs and transform them into actionable features.
The goal was to focus the design on simplicity, accessibility, and meaningful socialization, prioritizing features that truly strengthen the confidence and motivation of older adults.
🔸 Must (Imprescindible)
Essential features to reduce frustration and foster emotional connection:
• Small, trusted group chats.
• Automatic reminders for meetings and activities.
• Spaces to share hobbies, recipes, and common learning experiences.
🔹 Should (Highly valuable, but not critical)
Features that enhance the experience and strengthen bonds:
• Personalized recommendations for activities based on interests.
• Social events designed for people of the same age.
• Tools for maintaining continuous and meaningful conversations.
🔸 Could (Desirable)
Complementary features that facilitate technology adoption:
• Simple step-by-step guides for learning new features.
• Visual support and simple explanations to reduce frustration.
🔹 Won’t (Not a priority at this stage)
Non essential features or those that exceed the scope of the MVP:
• General news or forums not directly related to socialization.
• Advanced or therapeutic emotional support.
The product had to focus on simplicity, accessibility, and quality socialization. These findings confirmed that small groups, automatic reminders, and shared hobbies were key to maintaining older adults motivation and digital confidence.
[Information architecture]
📚 Navigation was reduced to five main sections for better remembering and less cognitive load.
The design focused on minimizing cognitive effort and reinforcing visual familiarity through clear and predictable navigation.
The final structure was reduced to five main sections, prioritizing direct access to events, reminders, and social connections:
• Home
• Community
• Profile
• Messages
• Notifications
🔑
Findings applied to design
📐 Simple, hierarchical organization
Main sections reduced to the essentials (Home, Community, Profile, Messages, and Notifications).This made it easier to navigate, reduced cognitive load, and improved function recall.
🪞 Direct reflection of real needs
• Home: immediate access to featured events and personalized suggestions.
• Community: small, themed groups, which were the most valued form of socialization.
• Profile and Messages: basic customization and simple, reliable communication.
⚡ Quick access and reminders
Automatic suggestions for friends, groups, and events to maintain continuity in interaction and reinforce the sense of accompaniment.
🧩 Reduced technological friction
Unnecessary steps, dispersed buttons, and unpredictable options were eliminated to make navigation more intuitive and accessible, even for users with low digital familiarity.
[User flow]
🧭 Older adults interact better with simple flows where each screen offers few decisions and clear paths.
The User Flow design prioritized accessibility and trust, reducing branching and ensuring that key tasks such as joining a group, sending a message, or confirming an event could be completed in just a few steps.
Clear, binary decisions
It was revealed that older adults feel more secure when each screen presents few options. Therefore, all paths were designed with binary decisions (yes/no, accept/return) that reduce stress and increase the feeling of control.Flows anchored in essential functions
The map connects directly to the sections most valued by users:
Home (events and suggestions), Community (groups and people), Profile, Messages, and Notifications.
This ensures that flows begin from motivating entry points such as "Featured Events" or "Suggested Groups," promoting continuity and return visits.Short and predictable trajectories
The most frequent tasks were completed in fewer than four steps, with logical and visually consistent structures. This predictability reinforces confidence and prevents confusion, a key factor for users with less technological familiarity.Moments of reinforcement and confidence
The flow integrates visible confirmations and automatic reminders (for example, when joining a group or sending a message), generating constant feedback that reduces the anxiety of “not knowing if something is working.”
The User Flow consolidated the experience into accessible, predictable, and emotionally secure navigation. Designing less routes was a conscious decision to free the user from doubt, facilitating interactions that transmit support and clarity.
[Low-fidelity wireframes]
📝 The initial sketches transformed requirements into clear screens with a reduced learning curve.
In this phase, I focused on translating the research findings into simple visual structures that would help validate the organization of information and navigation hierarchy before moving on to visual design.
Each sketch was designed to be easy to understand, visually clean, and feature large buttons, reducing cognitive load and ensuring that critical functions were accessible and recognizable.
✏️
Low-fidelity wireframes
🏠 Home
Quick access to featured events, automatic reminders, and suggestions from groups or friends to encourage participation.
👥 Community and Groups
Spaces segmented by shared interests, designed to facilitate interaction and conversations between related users.
💬 Messages
A direct and simple channel of communication that reinforces the feeling of support and closeness.
📅 Events
Recordatorios visibles y listados de actividades que fortalecen la motivación y la continuidad social.
👤 Profile
Clear display of personal information, with basic configuration options without overwhelming the user.
🧭 Key decision at this stage
Durante esta fase descubrí que el navbar debía incluir solo cuatro secciones principales:
Home, Community, Messages, and Profile, ensuring that the most frequently used features were always visible and accessible.
The Notifications section was placed at the top of the interface (especially on the home page) to maintain its constant presence without interfering with main navigation. This decision improved memorability, accessibility, and cognitive consistency of the design by reducing unnecessary scrolling.
[Medium-fidelity wireframes]
📝 The first contact with Sabios should feel warm and clear, so that even an insecure user would want to continue exploring.
Onboarding was designed to build trust from the very beginning. Each screen guides the user in a clear, warm, and frictionless way, prioritizing visual understanding and a sense of accompaniment.
Each screen in the initial flow validated the balance between the functional and the emotional. Friendly text, relatable illustrations, or a button in the right place can make the difference between continuing or abandoning the process.
1
Clear visual hierarchy
Large titles, legible typography, and wide spacing make reading easy, even for those with low vision.
The structure prevents cognitive overload.
2
Images that generate emotional identification
Images of older adults enjoying themselves, laughing, or participating in activities.
It helps them identify with what they can do in activities.
3
Relatable and emotional language
Messages designed with a positive tone, avoiding technical terms or cold language.
The goal was for users to feel that the app "talks to them," rather than giving them instructions.
4
Access visible from the beginning
The main buttons are located within easy reach and feature high contrast to ensure visibility.
Clarity of action and understanding were prioritized.
🧭 The registry was designed to build trust step by step.
Each screen in the registration flow seeks to reduce uncertainty and guide the user with visual instructions, clear language, and micro interactions that generate confidence. The goal was to transform a technical process into a guided, human, and simple experience.
5
Interests
Allowing users to choose their personal interests was key to generating relevance and a sense of belonging from the outset.
Categories are represented with large icons and clear labels, avoiding excessive text.
6
Verification
This stage was designed to reinforce confidence and security, two critical aspects for older adults.
The flowchart presents three simple, visual steps, explained in empathetic language and concrete examples ("no glasses or cap").
7
Welcome tutorials
After completing registration, users are taken to a section that teaches them how to use the app with short, illustrative videos narrated in a positive tone.
The clips show real actions such as sending messages or participating in groups, reducing anxiety about technology.
🧩 The main structure of Sabios was designed to connect with empathy, simplicity, and purpose.
The design seeks to reduce cognitive overload, build visual trust, and foster authentic relationships through clear navigation, clean visual hierarchy, and accessible language.
🏠 Home
8
Simplified navigation bar
Only four main sections (Home, Messages, Community, and Profile) to avoid confusion and facilitate orientation.
• Pain solved: visual saturation and loss of context when navigating between multiple icons or functions.
9
Suggestions
Featured section with large cards and clear images showing common topics with shared interests, based on the groups chosen during registration.
• Pain resolved: difficulty finding relevant spaces or feeling affinity with other users.
10
Friendly tone of voice
The initial greeting creates emotional closeness and reduces the feeling of technological formality.
• Pain solved: distrust of impersonal or cold interfaces.
🫂 Community
11
Segmented navigation in three tabs
People, Events, and Groups are clearly differentiated by visual buttons and large text.
• Pain solved: confusion caused by excessive content mixed together on the same screen.
12
Natural language search engine
Allows searching with simple words (e.g., "cooking," "music," "friends"), adapted to everyday language.
• Pain solved: frustration when using complex search functions or technical filters.
13
Large, legible cards
Each profile includes relevant information, facilitating identification and building trust.
• Pain resolved: difficulty distinguishing relevant information or recognizing contacts.
👤 Profile
14
Visible social metrics
Indicators such as "Friends" and "Events attended" reinforce the feeling of progress and participation.
• Pain point resolved: demotivation or lack of progress indicators within the app.
15
“About me” section and interests
Allows users to express themselves in a personal tone, using icons and tags that represent hobbies and affinities.
• Pain solved: difficulty sharing interests in a simple and visual way.
16
Accessible publication area
Large, clear buttons for posting photos, videos, or events, adapted to the user's motor skills and familiarity.
• Pain solved: fear of making mistakes when interacting or posting by mistake.
🎭 Events
17
Main featured image
Present a photograph of the event to generate immediate context and emotional connection.
• Pain solved: difficulty imagining the activity or understanding what an event is about with just text.
18
Information synthesized in visual chips
Location, date, and time are organized into clear text boxes, with icons to reinforce understanding.
• Pain resolved: confusion or difficulty reading long lists of information.
19
Single action button
It appears as the only main action, comprehensive and accessible.
• Pain resolved: overload of options or buttons that are difficult to see, preventing action from being taken.
👵🏼👴🏼🧓🏼 Groups
20
Visible member information
The number of members is displayed next to the title to generate trust and social validation.
• Pain solved: uncertainty about whether the group is active or whether it is worth participating.
21
Main button "Join the group"
Large, centered, and visible. Reinforces the sense of community and user autonomy.
• Pain solved: insecurity when joining new digital spaces or fear of not knowing how to join.
22
Quick and familiar actions
"Write a post" or "Share image" are large, clear buttons, aligned with the familiarity of other apps.
• Pain solved: frustration at not being able to find how to interact or share content.
The process allowed me to validate the user's emotional flow before moving on to the visual design, ensuring that each interaction responded to a specific need: to understand, feel guided, and connect with others.
Warm language, simplified actions, and consistent navigation became pillars for Sabios to feel more like a community than a social network.
[High-fidelity wireframes]
🔔 A/B Testing — Simplifying how users access their notifications
During the high-fidelity wireframe phase, I conducted an A/B test to determine the most accessible and understandable way to display notifications and reminders within Sabios.
The goal was to reduce cognitive friction and enable users to access important information without leaving the main screen.
Version A:
Access to notifications was located in the upper right icon on the home screen. Upon selection, the user was directed to a secondary screen where they could view their notifications and reminders.
• Although functional, this version required additional steps and created a visual disconnect between the main content and social actions.
Version B: Notifications and reminders were integrated directly into the main screen using accordion-style collapsible boxes. Each block displayed the number of pending or upcoming events, allowing users to view the content without leaving the flow.
• This version proved to be more intuitive, as users could quickly check their activity and stay in context without losing their place in the navigation.
Version B (accordion notifications) outperformed version A in terms of clarity and efficiency:
✅ Success rate: (A: 94%) (B: 87%) of users completed the task without assistance.
⏱️ Average time: 9.1 s (vs. 11.4 s) — the flow was faster.
💬 Satisfaction: 4.4 / 5 — users mentioned feeling more secure and in control.
Integrating notifications and reminders into the main screen reduced cognitive friction and strengthened the feeling of accompaniment.
⏰ A notification flow designed to keep the user connected without overwhelming them
The notification flow was designed to provide clarity and constant support, reducing friction when consulting important information.
From the home screen, users can quickly see if they have any pending notifications or reminders through visible boxes that show how many new events or messages they have and how many days away they are.
This flow seeks to balance autonomy with accessibility, providing a warm, direct experience designed to maintain active social connection without generating technological anxiety.
1
Up to date notifications
When there are no notifications or reminders, the buttons guide the user directly to the corresponding sections, maintaining consistency and avoiding empty screens.
2
New notifications
From the home screen, users can quickly see if they have any pending notifications or reminders with visible boxes showing how many new events or messages they have and how many days away they are.
3
Notification display
If there is pending activity, each block unfolds like an accordion, allowing to see a summary of the most recent notifications and reminders without leaving the main view.
4
Dual chips
Within the complete section, users can easily filter between "Notifications" and "Reminders" thanks to superior chips that simplify navigation and reduce cognitive effort.
✏️
💡 Design insights
🧩 Clarity over complexity
Older adults prefer systems that display information in a visible and orderly manner, without empty screens or unnecessary menus.
👁️ Visibility of current status
Displaying notifications and reminders directly on the home screen reduces uncertainty and improves the feeling of control.
🤝 Family interactions
Accordions and chips replicate familiar patterns, facilitating exploration and avoiding cognitive overload.
🧠 Progressive learning
The flow guides the user from simple to detailed, building confidence without requiring prior experience with apps.
👤 Profile
Display basic information and configuration options without overwhelming the user.
🧭 A guided, accessible, and frictionless event registration flow
The flow for confirming attendance at an event was designed to guide the user in a natural and predictable way, reducing cognitive load and increasing the feeling of control at each step.
From the home screen, the user can access events through the Navbar, entering the Community and Events section. There, they can explore different available activities and select the one that interests them most.
1
Exploration
In the Events section, users can view images, schedules, locations, and clear descriptions. By selecting an event, they can access more detailed information.
2
New notifications
When the user select an event, they can access more detailed information.
When click to Join Event, a three-step process begins.
3
Confirm attendance
Confirm your attendance and review key event details, including how many people are already registered.
4
Complete information
Fill in your basic information (name, optional phone number, and companions), building trust with an empathetic tone and without requesting unnecessary information.
5
Confirmation
Receive positive visual confirmation, with a clear CTA to return to the events section.
6
Automatic reminders
The event is automatically added to the user's reminders, helping them keep track effortlessly.
7
Secure cancellation
At any time, the user can cancel the process without losing context, thanks to clear messages and visible options that reinforce their autonomy.
✏️
💡 Design insights
📍 Guided and predictable navigation
The flow starts from the Navbar and maintains a clear hierarchy between Community - Events - Confirmation, avoiding confusion and lost paths.
🧭 Step-by-step visual progression
The three numbered, consistent steps help users recognize their progress, reducing anxiety and feelings of uncertainty.
🤝 Enhanced confirmation before taking action
Before confirming attendance, users review key information (date, location, time, attendees), increasing confidence and reducing errors.
📱 Clean, no cluttered interface.
Visual elements are spaced out with enough room and typographic hierarchy, allowing even users with lower visual acuity to easily find their way around.
✅ Immediate and positive feedback
The success message ("You have joined the event!") reinforces motivation and clearly closes the flow, avoiding any doubt about whether the action was completed.
🔁 Automation without losing control
The event is automatically added to Reminders, but the user retains full visibility over their actions and can cancel or return at any time.
🧩 Continuity of social connection
The flow not only confirms attendance, but also reinforces the main purpose of the app, to encourage participation and maintain a sense of active community.
🧩 A cohesive visual ecosystem for connecting, sharing, and participating
The goal was to maintain a consistent visual identity throughout the application, where each module (home, community, profile, events, and messages) reinforces the main purpose, which is to help older adults reconnect with their social environment in a simple and meaningful way.
[Brand identity]
🎨 An identity that transmits trust and closeness from the very first contact
The name Sabios and its slogan convey wisdom and experience, as well as accessibility, warmth, and respect, essential attributes for an older adult audience that seeks to feel understood and supported.
“The community where experience counts”
Name with purpose
Sabios represents the value of shared knowledge, accumulated experience, and human connection between generations. The name generates trust and empathy from the first contact, validating the idea that everyone has something valuable to contribute.Values translated into trust
The brand is not perceived as cold or technological, but rather as a human and approachable space.Accessible and warm voice and tone
Priority was given to communication that avoids technical terms and transmits confidence from the first interaction.
Sabios' visual and verbal identity reinforced its perception as a reliable, accessible, and human platform, facilitating adoption among older adults.
From the icon, a stylized brain symbolizing knowledge and connection, to the rounded typography and warm tones, each visual element communicates empathy and trust.
[Desing System]
⚙️ A design system created for accessibility and consistency for older adults
The Sabios Design System was built on the principles of accessibility, clarity, and scalability, ensuring that every color, font, and component contributes to a predictable and emotionally warm visual experience.
The goal was to create an inclusive and reusable interface where elements are consistent, easily recognizable, and reduce the cognitive load on users.
Colors
The colors were designed using the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) model, which allowed for control of hue, saturation, and lightness to improve color perception in older adults.
Each combination was validated under WCAG AA standards, ensuring sufficient contrast and readability on any device.
🎨
🟠 Orange (#F3722C)
Call to action color (CTA), conveys energy, optimism, and visual guidance.
⚫ Eerie Black (#222222)
Enhances readability in texts and creates a reliable contrast with light backgrounds.
⚪ Neutral colors and medium grays
They reduce eye strain and separate sections without overloading the screen.
🌤️ Supporting colors (Old Lace, Platinum, Azure, Pistachio)
They provide visual balance and flexibility in the system.
Typography
The typographic system reinforces the feeling of order and closeness, ensuring that the message is understood before it is read.
The typographic choice sought a balance between modernity and visual comprehension.
🔤
Poppins
Used for titles and hierarchies (H1, H2, H3). Its clear geometry makes it easy to read on mobile devices and reduces eye strain.
DM Sans
Applied to buttons and labels, it provides simplicity and balanced weight, helping to quickly identify actions.
Sizes defined under W3C standards: titles of 32 px and 24 px, paragraphs of 16 px.
🧩 Reusable components that ensure consistency and scalability
The system was designed using the Atomic Design methodology, which allowed each element to be built from the essentials: buttons, chips, bars, inputs, and pills. These components were developed with principles of predictability, contrast, and ease of use, ensuring an intuitive experience on all screens.
Main components designed
Clear and contrasting CTAs
Buttons in Orange (#F3722C) to guide main actions with maximum visibility.Selectable chips
They allow you to filter interests (music, sports, travel) quickly and easily.Navigation bars
Top and bottom navigation bars with simple iconography and clear hierarchies to reduce the learning curve.Inputs and text boxes
Optimized for easy writing with clear typography and visible action buttons.Comments and pills
They encourage light social interaction without visually saturating the interface.
[Interactive prototype]
💬 Transform design into experience to validate trust, clarity, and connection
The interactive prototype of Sabios represented the point at which strategy and empathy became a functional experience.
The goal was to test the actual navigation of older adults and observe whether the design succeeded in communicating the core values of Sabios.
Each interaction was carefully thought out to generate a sense of guidance and belonging, eliminating uncertainty and reinforcing confidence in use at every step.
🎯 Validation objectives
Evaluate the ease of navigation within the main flows: joining a group, sending a message, and confirming attendance at an event.
Check visual and verbal comprehension: readability, button placement, and clarity of actions.
Measuring emotional perception: whether the user felt confident, close, and supported when using the app.
[Usability results]
🧓🏼 Older adults successfully completed 87.5% of tasks, increased their willingness to socialize by 24%, and achieved a 95% perception of accessibility, demonstrating that empathetic and clear design can restore digital confidence and motivate human connection.
Measuring the impact was essential to understanding how the design helped older adults feel safe, autonomous, and emotionally connected.
During testing with five participants, performance metrics, satisfaction, and social motivation were analyzed, combining quantitative data and qualitative perceptions to assess the true impact of the prototype.
✅ Success rate in key tasks
87.5% completely successful
👥 Willingness to socialize
More than 24% intend to socialize
😌 User satisfaction (SUS)
♿ Perception of accessibility
95% positive perception
✅ Success rate in key tasks
Four critical tasks were defined within the main flow:
Registration and account creation.
Searching and exploring an event.
Joining a thematic group.
Sending a message to another user.
Each participant had to complete these tasks without assistance.
Result: 87.5% overall success rate, demonstrating intuitive and clear navigation even for users with little digital experience.
👥 Willingness to socialize
😌 User satisfaction (SUS)
The System Usability Scale questionnaire, consisting of 10 statements (positive and negative), was applied.
Result: average score of 85, rated "Excellent" on the usability scale. Participants highlighted the app's ease of use and consistency between screens.
♿ Perception of accessibility
It was evaluated with four questions focused on clarity, readability, and confidence when browsing.
Result: 95% positive perception, confirming that the color contrast, font size, and large buttons facilitated interaction.
⏱️ Average execution time
Each task was timed individually to measure efficiency.
Task
Average time
Registration and profile
1:34 min
Search for event
20.5 s
Join group
23.5 s
Send message
47 s
Result: low and consistent times, demonstrating a short learning curve and an understandable visual structure.
[Conclusion]
🌟 Designing Sabios helped me refine my empathy, discover new perspectives, and understand how design can improve people's lives.
This project helped me understand and further develop my empathy as a designer. From the outset, I sought to understand different user groups and recognize my own biases in order to create solutions that were more fair, humane, and adapted to their realities.
Sabios was a challenge that took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to discover a different way of observation, listening, and design. Through research and testing with older adults, I learned that every interaction, every gesture of doubt or enthusiasm toward the app, was an opportunity to better understand how design can accompany and facilitate everyday life.
I particularly liked this project because it encouraged me to engage in a continuous learning process. It helped me connect with what truly motivates me, which is understanding users, their circumstances, and their relationship with technology in order to create experiences that adapt to them and not the other way around.
Sabios reminded me that every detail, every decision, and every iteration can make technology feel closer, clearer, and more human.
[Case studies]
