Reconstructed beeper communication on mobile apps

BeeperRedux is a mobile web application that emulates the beeper experience of the 1990s, informed by an interview study with former beeper users reflecting on their past practices and experiences. This app restricts people to using their mobile devices solely for receiving notifications, just as beepers did in the past. To send or listen to messages, or to make calls, people must move to specific locations, symbolizing the wired telephones of the past.

The goal of designing this app was to critically reflect on contemporary technology by revisiting retro technologies. By experiencing old technologies, this design research explored whether there are any values overlooked by today’s technologies in supporting communication experiences and interpersonal relationships.

In this project, my role was to provide design direction for the app and develop a deployable prototype. Additionally, I supported study design, data analysis, and paper writing.