Case Study
Tomodachi Draw!
Social Connectedness Through Drawing
Figma Prototype, UX Research, UX DesignBackground
A study conducted by NectarHR revealed that modern work culture is lacking in human relationship building—specifically, meaningful connections between colleagues. Why is this important? The average American worker spends roughly 50% of their waking hours at work, and only about 25% engaged in leisurely activities like spending time with loved ones.Tomodachi Draw was created to help alleviate this concerning imbalance. The app gives coworkers a chance to step away from the seriousness of work and connect with one another in a way that’s creative, lighthearted, and personal.
Research
Research shows that collaborative, user-driven experiences in virtual worlds can enhance social connection and foster creativity. When individuals contribute to a shared space, it builds a sense of community, even in digital or remote environments.- - "Collaborative Virtual Environments"
- by M. Slater & A. Steed, exploring the psychology of shared virtual spaces.
- "Art Works at Work: The Impact of Workplace Art"
by Christina Smiraglia, which examines the use of digital art to improve employee satisfaction.
- "The Role of Play in the Workplace"
by Rabih Zotti, which explores the impact of play and creative activities on workplace culture.
Assumption
Office work environments often make people feel like cogs in a machine, isolating them from meaningful human connections.Hypothesis
When individuals reveal a part of themselves in a shared space, it creates a sense of community and reminds them that they're human.Process & Implementation:
1. Ideation, Precedence, Market Research:
The process began with identifying how digital tools could nurture genuine connection in the workplace. I explored existing apps centered around drawing, collaboration, and team bonding to understand what already worked—and where opportunities existed.
2. Feature Development:
From this foundation, I began mapping out features that would make creative connection feel effortless, engaging, and meaningful.
- Drawing Requests: Send and receive prompts from coworkers.
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Team “Living” Sketchbooks: Shared spaces for co-creating doodles.
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Profiles, Streaks & Mailboxes: Light gamification and personal touches.
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Printable Sketchbooks: Turn digital drawings into real keepsakes.
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Owner Portal: A management hub for settings, subscriptions, and engagement analytics to help teams measure connection over time.
3. UX/UI Design, Prototyping:
The app’s interface emphasizes ease and approachability—a playful, minimal design that lowers the barrier to entry.The management hub contrasts this with a cleaner, more structured look, focused on analytics and data visualization.
Prototypes balanced these dual experiences to ensure both felt cohesive and intuitive.
4. Usability Testing:
We conducted usability testing with 10 participants to evaluate the app's features and overall user experience, gathering feedback to inform iterative design improvements.
User Journey
Wireframes & Sketching
Prototype - Mobile App
Prototype - Web Management
Tomodachi Draw!