Drift
3 days - FigBuild 2025 Designathon
Figjam, Figma, Photoshop
Woohee Byun, Alex Thummalapalli, Karissa Wong, Ana Lac
Product Strategy, Interaction Design, Speculative UX
Connection is harder, even in a connected world
Overview
People are lonelier and more sleep-deprived. Time zones and distance make closeness difficult. What if we could reconnect through dreams?
Context: This was designed for a speculative UX challenge: identify an everyday pain point, invent a superpower solution, create a management tool, and address potential edge cases.
Turn lucid dreams into shared experiences
Solution
Drift is a concept app that lets users plan, enter, and remember shared dreams with trusted people. It blends intentional sleep with imaginative connection.
Make time
for each other
Smart Scheduling
Coordinate dream sessions with trusted contacts through
easy, simple scheduling.
The app handles the logistics
so users can focus fully
on connection, not complexity.
Dream Interface
Move through magic
Once dreaming, users navigate using simple gestures like swiping or tapping.
The interface stays minimal and unobtrusive, displaying key info like dream time, location, and connection status without breaking immersion.
Wake up
with a memory
Dream Gallery
After waking, users receive a curated recap of their dream experience.
Photos taken in-dream appear in a personal gallery, like souvenirs from another world.
Sleep and connection are both in decline
Why It Matters
Dreaming is one of the last unfiltered spaces, and Drift turns it into a shared medium.
50%
of people in America report experiencing loneliness, highlighting a dramatic decline in social connection.
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023)
74%
of people in the US get the recommended 8+ hours of sleep, while 20% sleep five hours or less.
(Gallup, 2023)
33%
of adults suffer from chronic sleep deprivation and weakened social bonds, a consequence of modern society’s relentless pursuit of productivity.
(CDC, 2022)
Who are we solving for?
Defining Users
Target Audience
Drift is designed for long-distance couples, digital-native friends, and lucid dreamers who want more meaningful connection.
People separated by distance or time
A long-distance dream date
User Journey
View Full Case Study
May, in California, schedules a dream with Ben in New York. They meet on a dream beach, build a sandcastle, and explore snowy mountains. The next morning, a photo from their dream appears in her gallery.
Trusted connections only
Edge Case
To prevent unwanted interactions, users can only add people they know offline. Friend requests require a shareable dreamer code, which can be revoked or refreshed at any time.
Designed for safety, balance, and accessibility
Design Safeguards & Accessibility
Practical Considerations
Only users 18+ can register to ensure emotional maturity
Dreams are shared only with trusted users
Dreamers can exit sessions anytime
Mental Considerations
Dreams are scheduled with natural timing
Limits are set to avoid over-scheduling or dependence
Regular check-ins promote healthy use
Inclusivity Considerations
Gesture-based input supports more accessibility
Audio interfaces planned for visually impaired users
Multilingual support with translation tools
Drift reimagines rest as connection
Final Reflection
This project explores how sleep could become a space for presence and intimacy. By combining speculative tech with emotional design,
Drift offers a peaceful way to feel close, even from afar.
Want to learn more?
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