Devpost question How was KitKit designed to benefit individuals, communities, or society?
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The most important thing in life is having people to share it with.
Yet too many people are carrying their lives alone. Fears with no one to talk to. Wins with no one to celebrate with.
One in five American adults reported feeling lonely DAILY. And 50% reported three or fewer close friends. Poor social relationships are linked to 29% higher risk of heart disease and 32% higher risk of stroke.
We are a social species. We evolved to depend on each other. We're facing the monsters of our time: political division, uncertainty, and an AI revolution. We need people we trust around us. Friends. All this progress means little if our lives feel emptier.
We have made it easy to follow someone's life while barely taking part in it. We see the post, leave a reaction, exchange an update. Messages matter. But edited images and typed words leave so much out: the tone of a voice, shared laughter, and that crazy thing called spontaneity.
We are afraid to call. We worry about interrupting or being a burden. We wait for a better time or something worth saying. We still care deeply, yet rarely reach out.
That is the moment I designed KitKit for.
You choose the people you want to keep close. When you and a friend are both available, KitKit rings both phones. It handles the first move. Your job is to show up for each other.
Friendships and relationships are built on consistent interactions and shared experiences over time.
Calls are short on purpose. Just 45 seconds to start. KitKit gets you talking. You take it from there: extend the call, catch up later, or, even better, meet up.
You don't have to be lonely to benefit. Friendship is for everyone. Your grandmother can be doing great and still be delighted you called. Your friend doesn't need a crisis to deserve your time. A good life gets better when you have people to share it with. People with strong relationships live longer, too.
Imagine hearing good news directly and being part of the celebration. Imagine noticing when someone goes quiet and helping them carry some of their burdens. Imagine talking often enough that asking for help feels natural.
That purpose shaped the way KitKit works, from how a call begins to how friends invite each other. I describe those choices in the Design Award answer.
I built KitKit because a better world depends on people showing up for each other. That starts with a conversation.