A green plush dinosaur mascot charm with a digital eyes screen clipped to a backpack, beside a phone showing the HobbyLink app notifying that someone with a shared interest in painting is nearby

HobbyLink

Making new friendships feel a little more natural through a collectible smart companion.

Role

Sole Designer

Year

2026

Full case study coming soon. Currently redesigning the concept into a polished high-fidelity experience.

The Challenge

International students often struggle to build meaningful friendships because of social anxiety, language barriers and the difficulty of finding people with shared interests.

The research asked how technology could make those first conversations easier.

The Concept

HobbyLink pairs a mobile app with an interactive mascot charm that lives on your bag. When compatible people are nearby, the charm quietly lights up, turning everyday encounters into natural opportunities to connect.

Have an idea, a project, or just want to chat?