Pet Connect began with a simple idea: pets can make connection feel easier - especially when loneliness makes “reaching out” hard.

I designed Pet Connect as a volunteering app concept that links isolated older people with local pet owners, using shared time with animals as a gentle way into conversation, companionship, and community. The focus was to make the experience feel warm, safe, and genuinely doable - for both the older person and the volunteer.

This project pushed me into new territory: I taught myself Adobe XD and built a working prototype, shaping the visual identity and interface to feel calm, accessible, and friendly. Along the way, I refined the concept through conversations and testing, simplifying the approach so the journey stayed clear and realistic.

Pet Connect was later shortlisted for the Creative Conscience Awards (2023) and completed as part of my MA (Distinction).