A hybrid app and physical device designed to help parents and children engage in meaningful conversations about LGBTQ+ representation through everyday media consumption.
Overview
PAU5E is a hybrid product that combines a mobile app with a physical buzzer to support conversations around LGBTQ+ topics.
While LGBTQ+ representation has become more visible in mainstream media, meaningful conversations—especially between parents and children—often remain difficult.
This project explores how shared media experiences, such as watching TV shows or movies together, can become natural entry points for reflection, dialogue, and understanding rather than moments of silence or discomfort.
Background
We began this project by focusing on the communication gap between parents and children around LGBTQ+ topics.
Our early research showed that many parents want to be supportive but feel unsure how to initiate conversations about sexuality and gender identity. At the same time, children often hesitate to bring up these topics themselves.
As a result, everyday moments that could spark meaningful dialogue often pass without discussion, reinforcing misunderstanding and emotional distance within families.
Recognition
European Product Design Award
Winner — Educational / Educational Tools
PAU5E was awarded the European Product Design Award (Winner) in the Educational / Educational Tools category for its contribution to enhancing group communication through design.
The Challenge
Many parents feel unprepared to talk with their children about LGBTQ+ topics.
This discomfort often stems from a lack of knowledge, fear of saying the wrong thing, or uncertainty about how to approach sensitive subjects.
Without a safe and approachable way to start these conversations, both parents and children are left without space to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn together.
PROJECT TYPE
Academic Project
ROLE
Interaction Lead
Product Designer
User Research
SERVICE
Mobile App & Device
DURATION
10 weeks (2022)
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
Research at a Glance
Survey: 37 participants
Interviews : 10 LGBTQ+ individuals and parents
Our research focused on family communication, early identity awareness, and experiences with sex education.
Key Research Insights
1. LGBTQ+ youth often feel isolated and hesitant to share their identity with family members.
2. Parents’ acceptance is often gradual and accompanied by uncertainty and fear of making mistakes.
3. Parents need a safe space where they are allowed to ask questions and learn alongside their children.
These insights highlighted the need for a tool that gently prompts conversation without placing pressure on either side.
Interviews
"I had always sort of known that I wasn't purely masculine, or a man, like I didn't have words for it." — Interviewee
"No one took it (sexual education) seriously because everyone felt awkward when we're younger." — Interviewee
"I feel like it's up to sort of parents and other relatives in a more personal circle for more intimate details." — Interviewe
CONCEPT & DESIGN DECISIONS
Design Question
How might we stimulate progressive conversations around LGBTQ+ topics between parents and children through everyday routines?
Concept Direction
Based on our research insights, we explored multiple concepts that could support parent–child communication.
Through feedback and discussion, we identified the importance of timing and emotional safety over direct instruction.
This led us to focus on shared media consumption as a natural, low-pressure moment to introduce conversation.
FINAL SOLUTION
Final Concept - PAU5E
After exploring three concept directions, PAU5E was selected as the most promising foundation.
This concept was then refined through user testing and iteration
PAU5E transforms passive media watching into an interactive and reflective experience.
By pairing a mobile app with a physical buzzer, PAU5E introduces prompts at relevant moments, encouraging families to pause, reflect, and talk together.
Rather than teaching through lectures, PAU5E supports learning through conversation.
Who Is It For?
Parents (35+) who want to foster open and progressive conversations
Children aged 8–15 experiencing early exposure to LGBTQ+ topics
Core Design Decisions
1. Conversation over instruction: Prompts are designed to open dialogue, not provide correct answers.
2. Timing matters: Conversations are introduced during relevant moments in media, not forced externally.
3. Lowering emotional barriers: A physical button (buzzer) offers a more playful and approachable interaction than on-screen controls.
Feature Overview
After user testing, the feature set and naming were refined for clarity and emotional safety.
Let's Pause
Connect the device and receive conversation prompts during relevant scenes.
Let’s Talk
Discuss shows and topics with a broader community in a moderated, safe environment.
Let’s Resolve
Collaborate with others to address harmful or homophobic remarks through guided activities.
Profile
Track activity, revisit past prompts, and reflect on learning progress.
Get Started
After signing in, a guided onboarding walks you through connecting your device and learning how to use the buzzer — and introduces Phobo, the villain you'll face throughout the app.
Explore Content
Browse supported streaming platforms or search for movies and TV shows using detailed filters. Check what others are saying, with a built-in spoiler alert system that keeps discussions safe for everyone.
Set Up Your Watch Party
Connect your device and set how often you'd like to pause and receive notifications. Choose who you want to watch with and link their accounts to get started together.
Start the Conversation
Prompt cards help kick off meaningful discussions with others. Leave comments, share your thoughts, and at the end, a wrap-up lets you revisit all the cards from your session.
Take Down Phobo
Team up with others to challenge Phobo's harmful opinions and work together to overcome its influence. You can also access your profile directly from the homepage to review your activity.
TESTING & ITERATION
Bridging Digital and Physical: Behind the Final Design
To arrive at the refined experience shown above, we validated our mid-fi prototypes through testing with 13 participants. This stage became the turning point for both our UI logic and product ecosystem — leading us to rethink the interaction entirely and introduce a physical interface.
User Testing Overview
13 participants
Methods: Card Sorting, Usability Testing
Key Learnings from Testing
Navigation needed to be simpler and more intuitive.
Feature names caused confusion and required clearer terminology.
Users wanted a more engaging and visually expressive interface.
Iteration Highlights
Based on testing insights, we:
Simplified global navigation
Clarified feature naming (e.g. Let's Pause, Let’s Talk, Let’s Resolve)
Expanded profile functionality to support reflection
Refined the visual direction to feel more playful and welcoming
Why a Physical Buzzer?
During testing, users expressed discomfort with pausing conversations directly on-screen.
To address this, we designed a soft, squishy silicone buzzer inspired by fidget toys.
The buzzer lowers interaction friction and makes participation feel playful rather than awkward—especially for children.
Buzzer Interaction
Single press: Pause the content
Double press: Like a prompt
Press and hold: Ask a question
LED lighting signals incoming prompts
IMPACT & LEARNINGS
Reflection
As the interaction lead, this project taught me that meaningful interaction design is not about adding more features, but about designing the right moment to pause, reflect, and talk.
By grounding our decisions in real emotional barriers rather than assumptions, PAU5E became a tool that supports learning through conversation—not instruction.
