Near - Connecting Couples Living Over Long Distances

The pressures of job markets and globalization have forced an increasing number of couples to live apart. Technology mediates most of the communication for long distance couples but while it is efficient in transmission of information it has failed to allow couples to experience true closeness, in a natural, seamless manner. Through a yearlong research project, I propose ‘Near’ - a system that takes into account the unique needs of long distance couples to ensure that they experience closeness through expressivity, awareness and joint action. The focus of the project is to allow for an emphasis on emotion and shared sense of place.