Memory Route: Reliving Memories Through a Digital Platform

A Multimedia Platform that Connects People Through Shared Memories

Memory Route is a unique multimedia platform that transforms the city into a stage for shared stories. It consists of three main components: a web platform for collecting memories, an app for unlocking geo-located memories in the city, and the Memory Hub, an urban totem that serves as a connection between the digital service and the physical world.

The Memory Hub, the centerpiece of the project, incorporates cutting-edge technology to enhance the user experience. With its dual halves of different heights, it caters to the needs of various users. Each half features a wide 27-inch monitor for immersive viewing and subwoofers for enhanced audio playback. The outer shell is made of aluminum, while the inner shell is constructed from compact polycarbonate, providing both durability and a filtered lighting effect.

Memory Hub dimensions are as follows: 1000 mm width x 500 mm depth x 2000 mm height for the taller half, and 1000 mm width x 500 mm depth x 1700 mm height for the shorter half. The web platform and app were meticulously designed, starting from sketches and wireframes, to create an interactive prototype that prioritizes user experience.

Memory Route operates by allowing users to register their memories on the web platform, assembling multimedia files known as fragments. These fragments are then organized and pinpointed on an interactive map of the city, creating a path of memories. Through the mobile app, users can select a memory and follow its progression through the city, unlocking the corresponding file at the location where the events took place. By connecting a smartphone to the Memory Hub, users can enjoy extracts of memories placed in a larger area around the totem.

The inspiration for Memory Route came from a university research project on urban opportunities. The designers sought to understand what makes a place special and discovered that it is the memories associated with it. By digitizing and sharing these memories, they aimed to provide a new perspective on everyday places and foster a deeper connection between people and their surroundings.

One of the main challenges faced during the design process was conveying the close relationship between the media we produce and the places they are extracted from. The designers successfully combined the features and aesthetics of existing platforms to create a new service that encourages users to share their memories and compose them into a spontaneous path through the city. The web platform and app enable the creation and enjoyment of memories, while the Memory Hub amplifies the sharing experience.

Memory Route was developed as a System Design Course project at ISIA ROMA and later expanded into a Master's Degree thesis in System Design. It received the Third Prize in the Communication Design category at the National Arts Award. The project began in January 2014 and concluded in December 2014, showcasing the dedication and creativity of the design team.

Memory Route has been recognized for its outstanding design and user experience, receiving the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interface, Interaction, and User Experience Design category in 2016. This prestigious award honors designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.

Memory Route is not just a digital platform; it is a gateway to reliving memories and connecting with others through shared experiences. It transforms the way we perceive and interact with our surroundings, creating a virtual map of emotions and memories that bring cities to life.