Wayfarer
Cornell University CU Design-a-thon 2026 Winner! Two-day design sprint. 71 participants. An app designed to accompany you on your walk. Asynchronous social connection and easy access to journaling. Wayfarer's mission is to bring people together, to build a more connected culture through reflection, observation, and presence.
Design-a-thon
Demo Video:
The Problem/Prompt:
Theme: Reimagining Daily Life
Much of daily life is shaped by routines we rarely question. From the way we wake up and communicate to how we work, travel, shop, and unwind, our days are structured by habits, technologies, and systems that have evolved over time — but not always intentionally.
What if we paused to reconsider them?
Reimagining daily life is about thoughtfully examining the ordinary moments that define our experiences. It invites us to look beyond efficiency and productivity, and instead consider well-being and meaning. It challenges us to ask whether the systems we rely on every day truly serve the people who use them.
As designers, we have the ability to reshape everyday experiences in ways that feel more intuitive, thoughtful, and human-centered. Even small shifts in repeated routines can create meaningful, long-term impact.
CHALLENGE
Design a digital application or product that reimagines one aspect of daily life.
Focus on a specific routine, interaction, or system that people engage with regularly. Your solution should improve how individuals or communities experience that part of their day — whether by reducing friction, fostering connection, increasing accessibility, or encouraging more mindfulness.
Questions to Consider
What everyday systems feel outdated, impersonal, or unnecessarily complex?
Where do people experience stress, burnout, or disconnection in their routines?
What small, repeated moments could be redesigned to create lasting impact?
How can technology integrate seamlessly into daily life without becoming overwhelming?
How might your design support diverse users across different contexts and life stages?
What would daily life look like if it were intentionally designed rather than inherited?
This theme encourages close observation. Powerful design opportunities often exist in the quiet, ordinary parts of life! Routines we perform every day without thinking.
My Process:
The Solution:
Future Directions:
My Role:
UX Designer
UX Researcher
Customer Discovery
Tools:
Figma Make
Figma
Link to Event Details
Project Gallery:
