AWARD YEAR
2023
CATEGORY
Play & Learning
GOALS
Good Health & Well-being, Trust, Tolerance & Empathy
KEYWORDS
heartbreak, break up, Smartphone App, emotional stress, emotional design
COUNTRY
United States of America
DESIGNED BY
Linlin Liu
WEBSITE
https://linlinliu.myportfolio.com/twinkle
Twinkle
Healing app for the heartbroken
How does it work?
Twinkle is a self-motivating app that heals a broken heart through a gamified approach of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. From survive to thrive, Twinkle provides small-action ideas beginning at the base of Maslow's pyramid to guide users to concentrate on specific needs.
In Twinkle, users will be guided to complete tasks from taking care of themselves to passing their love and impacts forward to the community. Along with their growth, Twinkle records their progress, celebrates their achievements, and rewards their hard work.
Twinkle transforms "focusing on yourself" into a game - a competition between the user and an imaginary evil force: "their ex". Users can plan a day by adding tasks that are small yet beneficial to them. Completing a task the user will win scores accordingly while skipping it the virtual ex will gain the points.
Why is it needed?
Brain study has shown that the withdrawal of romantic love activates the same mechanisms in our brain that get activated when addicts are withdrawing from substances like cocaine or opioids. People can feel tremendous physical pain during the process. Worse, some people can experience prolonged emotional distress or mental disorder, and even develop psychological trauma after a heartbreaking breakup.
Healing from heartbreak is difficult, but people seldom treat it seriously. Articles or Youtube videos fail at providing scientific guidance on what people can do on a daily basis and keep them motivated to the goal - be healed and find their own happiness.
How does it improve life?
The app is not available for download and on the concept stage.