The Memory Tree
K. L. Jayaratne · 2016
Memories make us who we are and reminiscing about loved ones is important for maintaining personal connections. This paper looks at sound bytes as a tool for reminiscing, through the interactive Memory Tree concept, and how it can support the reminiscing of adults about their loved ones. To explore this, a home tour interview was conducted where participants were asked to select an object that reminded them of a loved one. Through thematic analysis of responses, it became clear that sound recordings could be a useful tool that allow people to reminisce. These findings led to the development of the Memory Tree prototype that aimed to find out how people use sound to reminisce. Three people were asked to interact with the prototype. Results showed that the Memory Tree successfully facilitated reminiscing, both in the recording and playback stages, even if participants did not identify sound as the memory cue.