Trove 2.0: The Life Companion
Trove 2.0: The Life Companion
Redesigning Life Story Work Through Interactive Memory Design
Redesigning Life Story Work Through Interactive Memory Design
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Trove 2.0 is a redesigned interactive memory system built to support identity formation in looked-after and adopted children through storytelling. The system allows users to attach personal audio and photo narratives to physical objects using NFC technology, combining a mobile app with a soft, portable physical case. Unlike traditional memory boxes or purely digital tools, Trove 2.0 centers comfort, privacy, and guided interaction, giving children ownership over their own stories.
The project replicates and extends original research by Dr. Stuart Gray and colleagues at the University of Bristol, who developed the first Trove prototype to address a gap in life story work: existing methods were adult-driven, inconsistent, and offered little emotional support or privacy for the children involved
Demo Workthrough of Trove v 2.0
The original Trove used RFID technology to link audio stories to physical objects. Our replication preserved that core mechanic but updated it in several meaningful ways based on the paper's own redesign insights.
What we kept:
The fundamental interaction model, tap an object, record a story, play it back, remained intact because it directly answered the research questions around how children can tell, keep, and protect their stories. We also preserved the emphasis on child agency, ensuring the app never forces a narrative structure on the user.
What we updated:
The original used RFID; we implemented NFC via React Native and Expo, which allowed us to work with consumer-grade Android hardware (Samsung Galaxy A15) and keep the system affordable and accessible directly addressing design insight DI-07, which called for keeping costs low enough for local authorities to afford. We also added an authentication flow with non-text password options (DI-13) and a catalog view so children can browse their registered objects and memories over time.
What we added:
The research paper's redesign insights called for soft, huggable materials, portability, and physical privacy features. The original prototype did not fully realize these. Our physical prototype was built by deconstructing a pressing iron bag sourced from Amazon, rebuilding it with an added cushion, a zip-open interior designed specifically to meet those gaps.
What we removed: We did not implement multi-user perspective recording in this iteration, which the paper identified as important for narrative balance. This was a scope decision the core single-user flow needed to be stable and testable before layering in caregiver or social worker perspectives.
Sprint 1 — Planning & System Design We began by studying the research paper closely, mapping out user flows, and producing a UML diagram to define the class structure of the app. This phase also involved choosing our tech stack. After evaluating Java, Kotlin, and Dart, we landed on React Native with Expo chosen for its scalability, manageable learning curve, and strong industry demand. A Kanban board tracked all issues across the sprint.
Sprint 2 — Software & Physical Development Imran built out the core app screens: authentication, catalog, object registration, and voice/photo memory recording. Joyce developed the design assets in Canva, establishing Trove's visual identity, and constructed the first cardboard prototype. Code review across both partners helped bridge the software and physical sides of the project
Sprint 3 — Debugging & Integration The most technically demanding sprint. The NFC reading module initially conflicted with the Expo framework and had to be rebuilt and redeployed to the physical device. An audio permissions bug, caused by a disabled async function in the config file was identified and resolved through careful reading of error messages and documentation. The physical prototype was also revised after the initial board cut came out too small, reinforcing the importance of precise planning before building.
Trove workflows
Trove workflows
Final Prototype
Final Prototype
The final physical prototype features a soft felt exterior over a structured cardboard form, a zip-open bright interior for displaying meaningful objects, a pull-out privacy screen, and a shoulder strap for portability. The companion mobile app runs on Android via Expo and connects to physical NFC tags embedded in or attached to objects.
First prototype
Final prototype
Final prototype in use
Trove: Reimagining Life Story Work Through Interactive Memory Design (Poster)
Trove: Reimagining Life Story Work Through Interactive Memory Design (Poster)
Trove 2.0 is a redesigned interactive memory system built to support identity formation in looked-after and adopted children through storytelling. The system allows users to attach personal audio and photo narratives to physical objects using NFC technology, combining a mobile app with a soft, portable physical case. Unlike traditional memory boxes or purely digital tools, Trove 2.0 centers comfort, privacy, and guided interaction, giving children ownership over their own stories.
The project replicates and extends original research by Dr. Stuart Gray and colleagues at the University of Bristol, who developed the first Trove prototype to address a gap in life story work: existing methods were adult-driven, inconsistent, and offered little emotional support or privacy for the children involved
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