Yae Young Kim

Snail Mail

Snail Mail is a delightful digital pen pal app that modernizes the art of letter writing, allowing users to send personalized messages enriched with videos, photos, songs, doodles, and virtual "money" gifts. With seamless widget integration for your phone's home screen, Snail Mail fosters deeper connections with friends and loved ones. Users can customize stationery, schedule deliveries, and enjoy a virtual mailbox for incoming letters. Perfect for long-distance relationships or adding a whimsical touch to daily communication, Snail Mail combines the charm of traditional letters with the convenience of digital technology.

Overview

For the Snail Mail project, I led the development process from concept to delivery. My responsibilities included researching digital communication trends and analyzing features of successful messaging apps. I designed the app's interface in Figma to create an intuitive user experience that blends traditional letter writing with modern technology. I developed core functionalities like multimedia message composition and widget integration, followed by rigorous testing and refinement to meet user needs. Deliverables included user research, a functional app prototype, high-quality mockups, and comprehensive documentation detailing the research and development stages.

ROLE

Lead UI Designer
UX Researcher

TOOLS

Figma

DURATION

1 Month

OBJECTIVE

Mobile App Creation

Why Snail Mail?

The inspiration for Snail Mail stemmed from a desire to create a Gen Z-friendly digital pen pal app, filling a gap in the market for meaningful, asynchronous communication. As a generation that values authentic connections and creative expression, Gen Z often seeks alternatives to the fast-paced, ephemeral nature of typical social media platforms. I wanted to blend the nostalgia and thoughtfulness of traditional letter writing with the convenience and multimedia capabilities of modern technology.

Drawing inspiration from popular widget-based apps like Locket, I aimed to create an experience that would seamlessly integrate into users' daily lives. The goal was to foster deeper connections between friends, family, and significant others by allowing them to share more personal, curated content. By incorporating features such as customizable digital stationery, multimedia attachments, and collaborative doodles, Snail Mail encourages users to express themselves creatively and thoughtfully.

The project challenged me to balance user experience design with technical implementation. Using React Native, I focused on creating an intuitive interface that would appeal to Gen Z users while ensuring smooth functionality across various devices. This process deepened my understanding of mobile app development and reinforced the importance of user-centered design. Ultimately, Snail Mail represents my vision for a digital communication tool that encourages meaningful connections and creative expression in an age of instant messaging and fleeting interactions.

The Problem

Many users feel that modern digital communication lacks the personal and thoughtful touch of traditional letter writing. While instant messaging is convenient, it often results in shallow interactions, leaving people craving deeper, more meaningful connections. There’s a need for a platform that combines the charm of handwritten letters with the convenience and creativity of modern technology.