Melody Kao Melody Kao

MOMent: Helping Mothers Feel Seen Through Design Research

MOMent is a digital reflection tool designed for first-time mothers to process emotions shaped by social media. Grounded in qualitative research and emotional design, the prototype transforms design research methods into simple, low-effort prompts that foster self-awareness and reduce mom guilt.

Read More
Melody Kao Melody Kao

Perfect Timing: Designing Visual Time Cues for Children’s Emotional Transitions

Many children, especially those who have not yet learned to read a clock, struggle with understanding the concept of time. This lack of comprehension can lead to anxiety and difficulty transitioning between activities. The Perfect Timing project aims to create a visual and interactive solution to help children anticipate transitions and develop a structured sense of time.

Read More
Melody Kao Melody Kao

Designing for Community Connection: A UX Approach at the AT&T Discovery District

The AT&T Discovery District in Downtown Dallas is a vibrant entertainment hub, but it struggles to engage local residents, who primarily see it as a tourist attraction rather than a community space. The research team aimed to uncover the reasons behind this perception and develop strategies to increase local participation and engagement.

Read More
Melody Kao Melody Kao

Collaborative Onboarding Design through Creative Expression

Big Thought, an organization focused on empowering youth through creativity, faced challenges in fostering cross-departmental collaboration. The Art Allies initiative was designed to address this gap by incorporating artistic bonding sessions into the onboarding process. The goal was to create an engaging environment where new and existing employees could connect through creative activities such as painting and poetry.

Read More