Good Design Awards Tell a friend
ARCHIVE 2025
Mobile Application
Designers: Qihang Zhang, Ruijingya Tang, Xianghan Wang, Memory Land, Seattle, Washington, USA
Manufacturer: Memory Land, Seattle, Washington, USA
Memory Land is a digital platform designed to help individuals navigate grief by preserving and celebrating cherished memories of their loved ones. Through artificial intelligence and advanced 3D scanning technology, Memory Land offers an interactive space for users to create virtual memorials that reflect their unique relationships and experiences. Designed with empathy at its core, the platform transforms painful reminders into meaningful opportunities for healing, reflection, and connection.
The idea for Memory Land was born from personal experiences. In 2022, I lost my grandmother, a woman who played a significant role in my life, offering endless love and wisdom. In 2023, the passing of my idol, CoCo Lee, deeply moved me and reinforced the isolating experience of grief. These losses illuminated the universal yet deeply personal nature of mourning and inspired me to create a space where people could honor their loved ones in a meaningful and lasting way. Memory Land addresses the emotional and psychological challenges of grief by fostering remembrance and healing through thoughtful design and technology.
Memory Land allows users to create personalised memorial experiences by incorporating photos, audio recordings, and 3D-scanned keepsakes. The platform utilises AI to offer memory prompts and interactive storytelling, helping individuals reflect on their emotions. By enabling users to build and share memorials that can be revisited and passed down through generations, Memory Land offers a lasting connection to those they have lost.
The platform was developed with a human- centred design approach, ensuring that every feature resonates with users’ emotional and practical needs. Extensive research was conducted through interviews with individuals who have experienced loss and grief counselors specialising in bereavement. This informed the creation of an intuitive interface that gently guides users through the process of building a memorial. Soft colour palettes, calming visuals, and seamless navigation prioritise emotional well-being and ensure a comforting experience.
Memory Land incorporates AI-powered curation tools that guide users through selecting meaningful content and offer personalised suggestions for building their memorial spaces. The platform supports 3D scanning of sentimental items, allowing users to digitally preserve objects such as handwritten letters and personal keepsakes, which can be viewed and interacted with in the virtual space.
Users can customise their memorial environments to reflect the personality and spirit of their loved ones, choosing from serene landscapes to cozy home settings. The addition of music, video montages, and voice recordings further enhances the experience, making it truly personal.
Recognising the sensitivity of grief, Memory Land offers privacy controls that allow users to choose who can view and contribute to their memorial spaces. All data is securely encrypted to protect personal information and ensure a safe space for remembrance.
Memory Land fosters a sense of community by allowing users to invite family and friends to contribute their own stories, photos, and messages. This collaborative approach helps create a shared space for collective remembrance and support, offering comfort in knowing that others share similar experiences.
Unlike traditional online memorials, which often focus on static tributes, Memory Land offers a dynamic, interactive, and emotionally intelligent experience. Its combination of AI-driven personalisation, 3D scanning, and a therapeutic design approach provides a comprehensive and adaptable way for users to process their grief.
Memory Land has received significant recognition, winning a gold award at the London Design Awards and silver awards at the Muse Creative Awards and NY Product Design Awards in 2024. The project has also been nominated for the IF Design Award and UX Design Awards in 2025. These accolades highlight the innovation and social impact of Memory Land in redefining the grieving process through thoughtful design and technology.
As Memory Land evolves, future plans include expanding its AI capabilities to offer even more personalised recommendations, integrating augmented reality features, and partnering with mental health organisations to provide additional support resources. The platform aims to go beyond grief support by addressing emotional challenges such as loneliness and anxiety, fostering emotional resilience and connection on a global scale.
Memory Land is a testament to the power of design in addressing universal human needs. By blending technology with compassion, it offers a space where memories can thrive, emotions can be expressed, and healing can begin. Whether used by individuals seeking solace, families preserving a legacy, or communities coming together to remember, Memory Land provides an essential and meaningful experience in today’s digital age.
