JoJo
Product Design
Inclusive Design
2D & 3D Motion Design
AI
Degree Project
Team
Solo Project
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
24 Weeks
Tools
Figma, Blender, After Effects
Jojo is a personalized AI companion designed to encourage active thinking, improve focus, and help users regain balance in their digital lives. Unlike traditional AI tools that passively provide solutions, Jojo creates an engaging and interactive experience by integrating human-like interaction features and fostering critical thinking.
Project Objectives
Develop a conversational AI system that addresses and provides solutions for common cognitive challenges faced by young adults.
Challenge and address the paradox of solving issues caused by digital technology with another form of technology, supported by real user experiences and research findings.
Process
The first 12 weeks were dedicated to research to define the problems people are currently facing and set clear goals for the project. Starting with the initial research question, a literature review was conducted to finalize the research question and identify the problem this project aims to solve, as well as the goals it seeks to achieve.
Primary research involved desk research to broadly explore the challenges humans face due to digital technology and potential solutions. To validate the research findings, 8 real users were interviewed to cross-check whether their personal experiences aligned with the identified issues. This process confirmed that the research findings were not merely generalized but represented real challenges faced by a significant number of users in everyday contexts.
The remaining 12 weeks have been focused on building a solution based on the insights gained from the research. This phase is still ongoing and is expected to conclude in April. The diagram below outlines the projected timeline, with the project now progressing into the UX design stage.
Research
Research Question
How can conversational AI be designed as a complementary tool to engage critical thinking and address cognitive accessibility challenges for adults aged 18 to 35, reducing the effects of over-reliance on digital technology?
As someone who grew up immersed in digital technology, I often feel that it has negatively impacted our generation's cognitive abilities. This project aims to explore whether there is a correlation between digital technology and cognitive challenges and to investigate how conversational AI can be leveraged to address these issues.
Why conversational AI specifically?
Over the past two years, AI has revolutionized the tech industry and become an integral part of daily life. Efforts to implement AI in the existing products are increasing rapidly, and I’ve noticed both myself and those around me frequently relying on AI tools. Since the use of digital technology is inevitable, I want to explore ways to optimize its implementation, ensuring it serves as a solution rather than exacerbating existing problems.
This project is dedicated to answering this research question and finding ways to design conversational AI that supports critical thinking and cognitive health.
Are you still doubting, wondering, 'You're solving a problem caused by digital technology with yet another digital technology?' If so, check out the counter-argument section below.
Research Findings
Q1. Does digital technology truly cause cognitive issues, or is it merely a delusion?
The answer is yes, it does cause cognitive issues.
# Primary Research
Excessive digital device use causes memory loss, attention deficits, difficulty in decision making, and a decline in communication skills.
Digital platforms promote instant gratification, encouraging quick interactions that may discourage cognitive functions.
People are required to use digital devices whether they like it or not, resulting in greater exposure to technology than ever before.
Since the pandemic, online classes and remote work are the new normal.
# Interview
Seven out of eight reported noticing changes in their cognitive functions.
One participant mentioned multiple symptoms.
The changes align their cognitive function difficulties with the period of digital technology use, particularly AI.
Six participants reported noticing these changes about two years ago, while one attributed the changes to when they first started using a smartphone.
All participants have been using AI tools for one to two years.
Turning off their digital devices or deleting the social media apps entirely was not an option because their work and study environments heavily rely on these tools.
Q2. So What Do We Do When We Can’t Focus?
Maybe it’s not the online environment itself that’s the problem—it’s how we’re using it. What if we approached it differently?
Passive listening or just making prompts isn’t enough. The key is to engage actively. Talk, chat, participate—make it interactive. When you treat the online environment like a physical one and actively join in, it can actually work just as well.
# Primary Research
Discussions with peers and teachers vs passive lectures make a significant difference in critical thinking ability — The same applies to Digital tech.
Passive listening or making prompts alone is not effective.
# Interview
Six participants stated that they attempt to engage with others when they feel less engaged during online meetings or classes.
Participants knows the importance of incorporating human interaction to enhance engagement levels.
All participants reported a decrease in their engagement level during online classes, meetings, or calls/chats.
Those actions help simulate face-to-face interaction by providing instant reactions and enabling others to recognize them as individuals, including reading their facial expressions.
And AI, a new digital technology, isn’t actually all that bad!
The key isn’t to avoid AI but to use it actively and in a balanced way, making technology a powerful ally rather than a threat.
# Primary Research
Augmented intelligence tends to make the better choice, particularly in complex decision-making scenarios
Using technology and AI is not inherently bad—in fact, it can be highly beneficial. In complex decision-making, combining human intelligence with AI, also known as augmented intelligence, often leads to better outcomes compared to relying solely on humans or AI.
AI tends to outperform humans in high-confidence situations where clear and consistent patterns exist.
However, humans excel in mid-confidence cases, drawing on broader contextual understanding and adapting to unique, rare, or complex scenarios.
By leveraging AI at a moderate and thoughtful level, we can enhance the decision-making process by balancing the strengths of both humans and AI. Therefore, using AI is not harmful if it is approached actively and in a balanced manner.
Q3. Then which one is better Speech-based or text-based AI?
Well… both! Each has its own strengths.
# Primary Research
Speech-based AI with text-based AI has even greater potential to enhance critical thinking.
The answer is not so simple—both have their own unique strengths. Voice assistants are more efficient and engaging for goal-directed tasks, offering quick, hands-free solutions that enhance productivity. On the other hand, chatbots are more effective for exploratory or experiential activities, where users can dive deeper into learning or problem-solving at their own pace. Combining these two approaches has the potential to create a more balanced and impactful tool, particularly for fostering critical thinking.
This raised another question for me: what do people think about interacting with AI? Understanding user perspectives became an important part of my research.
Alright, let’s dive into what people really think about interacting with AI!
Many find talking to GPT kind of boring.
# Primary Research
Talking to GPT is boring.
Many people find interacting with ChatGPT dull and uninspiring. Participants in studies noted that ChatGPT lacked human-like "personal visualization," which made the interaction feel less engaging and impersonal. Some suggested that incorporating a visual character alongside the text could make the experience more personal and enjoyable—an idea I found particularly interesting. This highlights a potential gap in conversational AI, where adding visual and interactive elements could improve user engagement and make the interaction more dynamic.
Robot? It’s fun, but creepy.
On the other hand, studies comparing conversational AI with robot interfaces revealed that participants found interacting with robots enjoyable and fun, largely due to their expressive facial features and engaging interfaces. However, the robot’s blinking and its eyes were often cited as sources of discomfort, with some participants describing them as "creepy." While robots bring a more entertaining and interactive experience, their human-like traits can evoke unease, emphasizing the need for careful design to balance engagement with user comfort.
Reference: (Yamamoto & Ananou, 2015) (Shanmugasundaram & Tamilarasu, 2023) (Rossi et al., 2021) (Rzepka et al., 2022) (Malkomsen, n.d.)
Interview: A total of 8 participants were involved, and the interviews were carried out in a quantitative format.
Wait
So... you're addressing a problem caused by digital technology using more digital technology?
Isn't This a Paradox?
There’s definitely a risk of worsening the problem by relying on the same digital technology that contributed to it.
However,
Over half of the interview participants reported experiencing cognitive issues and stated that they use AI to address these challenges.
Five out of seven participants who noticed changes in their cognitive functions mentioned relying on AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Perplexity to stay focused. These tools have become essential for managing their daily lives, whether for work or study. People are already turning to digital technology, through AI, to solve the problems it has created.
The Goal
Since coexistence with digital technology is inevitable, my goal is to identify ways to use it effectively and responsibly, avoiding a harmful cycle of dependency.
Design
Let’s narrow down the target user
The primary target users are young adults aged 18 to 35 who struggle with managing their digital usage and aim to restore and strengthen their critical thinking skills.
However,
While the primary focus is on young adults, digital technology is widely used by people of all ages and will only become more prevalent in the future. Therefore, for further applications, the goal is to move beyond age demographics and aim for inclusive design, ensuring accessibility and usability for a broader audience.
Back to the interviews
Participants highlighted concerns about over-reliance on AI, as instant answers often diminish opportunities for critical thinking. They emphasized the need for AI tools to strike a balance between convenience and engagement by supporting focus and offering guided solutions.
Common painpoints
Over-Reliance, Distractions, and Vicious Cycle
Participants expressed concerns that instant answers from AI tools often reduced their opportunities to think critically.
Some found it challenging to stay focused when accessing AI tools via laptops, often ending up distracted by social media.
Features like automated meeting notes made participants less focused during meetings, leading to greater reliance on AI.
User Needs
Guided Solutions and Focus Support
Users wished AI could help them find answers collaboratively rather than simply providing instant responses—only when desired.
Also, they wanted AI tools could assist them in maintaining focus on their tasks without introducing distractions.
User Persona
Key Insights
Cognitive Load and Digital Over-Reliance
Both Josh and Lena rely heavily on digital tools to manage their workload efficiently.
Josh struggles with balancing AI reliance while maintaining his critical thinking skills.
Lena finds digital tools essential for productivity but faces distractions, particularly in a hybrid work environment.
Engagement & Productivity Challenges
Josh needs structured tools to manage cognitive overload from his packed schedule and maintain productivity.
Lena seeks workflow optimization to enhance team communication and manage multiple projects effectively.
Hybrid Work & Study Environments Demand Flexible AI
Josh juggles academic deadlines, teaching, and research—his needs shift throughout the day.
Lena switches between remote and in-office work, requiring seamless digital tool integration
AI as a Passive Tool vs. Active Thinking Companion
Both users want AI to assist but not take over their thinking process.
AI needs to encourage engagement, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, not just automate tasks.
Journey Mapping
New Opportunities I found…
PROMOTE MY PRODUCT TO AI COMMUNITIES
Provide a well-structured comparison of AI-driven solutions, helping users make informed choices.
I discovered that there are communities for comparing and reviewing AI tools. This shows a potential future marketing opportunity to promote my product within these web communities.
PROVIDE THINKING PROGRESS ANALYSIS REPORT
Integrate cognitive performance insights, showing users how their focus and productivity evolve over time.
If my product could track users' thinking process and engagement levels in some way (still figuring out how), and then provide them with insights, it would help them realize, "Oh, I actually put in effort and thought!" This could be a key feature that sets it apart from other AI tools.
Solution
AI with a character
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AS VISUAL CUES
The character’s facial expressions act as visual cues. For example, it can display a "thinking expression" while processing a response.
These "thinking expressions" are tailored to each user. For instance, one character might furrow its brows while thinking, while another might purse its lips, based on the user’s habitual expressions.
FACE RECOGNITION AND INTERACTION
The product uses face recognition to read the user’s facial expressions
If the user displays a "thinking face," the product can actively engage by asking questions related to the content on the screen, such as, "Are you finding this screen difficult to understand?"
The engagement level (activeness) is adjustable, allowing users to control how proactive the tool should be..
EYE TRACKING
Eye-tracking technology helps identify areas where users' gaze lingers the longest.
By analyzing gaze patterns and using facial recognition technology, the system detects user expressions. If a user’s expression indicates contemplation and their gaze remains fixed on one spot for an extended period, AI can recognize that the user is uncertain or struggling with that area.
ACTIVENESS MODE
The product allows users to set the level of activeness or passiveness for its responses.
Activeness mode guides the user to find answers themselves through questions or examples.
If the user shows a confused facial expression, the product responds with something like, "You seem confused, let me explain in simpler terms or guide you through it."
Prototype 1: AI Character
Let me introduce JoJo!
The main reason of making a character is for enhancing interaction between AI with users. JoJo should adopt and make its own facial expression when it interacts with users, so I made various options for face animation for jojo.
To be continued... This is what I’ve discovered so far.
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