TrueGram
Break the Loop. Reclaim Your Time. TrueGram is the conscious layer for your digital life. It turns automatic scrolling behaviour into intentional living by rethinking how you interact with social media.
The Problem
Digital platforms are engineered as "attention slot machines". They are using persuasive designs to trigger subconscious and mindless scrolling. We get sucked into a cycle where our focus is sold for profit, leaving us feeling like we're just reacting to screens instead of making our own choices. Users are left trapped in reactive habits, losing hours of their day to a system that prioritizes engagement over human well-being.
The Goal
TrueGram shifts the metric of success from "Time Spent" to Quality Time. Our goal is to replace mindless consumption with conscious interaction, ensuring every minute spent on your device is intentional. By redesigning the digital entry point, we empower users to break free from the loop and reclaim their time for the things that actually matter.
Impact
Mission
TrueGram halts the psychological drain of endless scrolling and cultivates digital mindfulness. By replacing algorithmic coercion with human intention, we empower young adults to reclaim ownership of their time, focus, and emotional wellbeing.
Solution Overview
TrueGram redefines the social media architecture through four core pillars of conscious design:
Intent-Based Feed
Disrupts the automatic habit of opening the app by requiring users to select a goal, such as "Catch Up", "Find Inspiration", or "Post" before entering the feed.
No Endless Scroll
Eliminates the "bottomless bowl" effect. Each session is controlled by a timer that provides a clear stopping cue, helping users maintain intentional browsing habits.
Notification Bundles
Replaces anxiety-inducing real-time pings with scheduled batches. Users decide when they want to be notified, reducing cognitive load and constant interruption.
Check-In & Check-Out
Integrates mindfulness via a non-oppressive survey. Users track their energy and focus levels before and after usage to build awareness of digital impact.
The Designed Experience
TrueGram's design goal is to make being online feel calm, easy, and empowering. Every element was consciously developed to help users regain control over their focus, particularly those most vulnerable.
Visual Identity
The look is minimalist, calm, and focused. A palette of muted, earthy tones paired with subtle, slow animations reduces visual stress and avoids the high-stimulation triggers typical of addictive apps. There are no flashing notifications or bright attention-grabbing elements.
Conscious Interaction
TrueGram introduces Conscious Friction as a core principle. Intent Prompts require users to define their purpose before entering the feed. Notification Bundles collect updates and deliver them at scheduled times, reducing constant interruption and maintaining intentionality.
Emotional Design
Check-In and Check-Out surveys help users reflect on their mood and energy before and after scrolling, building awareness of how social media affects them over time. The interface avoids guilt-tripping or alarming screen time reports, just gentle awareness building.
Product Experience
A session timer provides a clear endpoint, eliminating the endless scroll. When time expires, Mindful Partners display curated, values-aligned recommendations instead of pushing users back into the feed.
Ethical Business Model
TrueGram is built on Ethical Defaults: transparent privacy and no manipulative patterns. Instead of intrusive ads, our mindful partners show curated, values-aligned recommendations only at session end, never mid-scroll.
Mindful Partnerships
We partner exclusively with brands that align with our values of sustainability and mental wellbeing. Every partner is vetted to ensure they add real value to our users' lives.
Session-End Placement
Ads should never interrupt your flow. Partner recommendations appear only at the natural end of a session, respecting your focus and never breaking your immersion mid-scroll.
Context Over Surveillance
We match recommendations to your declared session intent (e.g., 'Find Inspiration') rather than harvesting your personal data or behavioral history.
Zero-Tracking Privacy
Our model relies on context, not cookies. We do not track users across the web, sell data to third parties, or build behavioral profiles.
Try It Yourself
Interactive Demo
Systemic Journey Map
| Primary Challenge & Trigger | Awareness & Initial Interest | Consideration & Decision | Onboarding | Usage | Retention & Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Actions / Core Activity | Users intend to be mindful but get trapped in endless, draining feeds, losing connection to their original purpose. | Discover app via word-of-mouth or App Store recommendations. Interested in mindful usage. | Weigh options, compare features, assess setup time, decide on TrueGram. | Create account, set privacy/safety, set intentions, explore app/tutorial. | Select intent (e.g., 'Catch Up') for limited session; meaningful reactions; bundled notifications. | Habitual intentional sessions; uses bundles/check-ins; recommends app to friends. |
| User Goals | Maintain connection without losing time or emotional control. Seek a healthy, intentional space free from guilt. | Quickly understand value proposition without effort; decide if it's worth remembering. | Fewer distractions, predictable screen time, better sleep, ethical defaults, high-quality content. | Establish purpose, understand mindful support, feel grounded and empowered. | Stay connected without scrolling trap; control time; leave satisfied/energized. | Sustainable positive effects (focus, sleep); stable/respectful community; values-aligned app growth. |
| Pain Points / Needs | Overwhelmed by content overload and addictive cycles. Need non-manipulative tools that support healthy habits. | Overwhelmed by new apps. Need simple, clear message on core purpose/why it exists. | Fear of FOMO/losing reach. Need easy onboarding, contact import, simple visual settings. | Overwhelmed by cognitive demand. Need clear, non-overwhelming support and value explanation. | Struggle with old habits and FOMO. Need reassurance to stop. | Fear of old habits returning. Need non-guilt reminders. |
| Gains | Awareness of overload's impact; feeling hope and control from recognizing distinct, healthier digital habits. | Passively learn a healthier alternative exists: relief and curiosity. | Planned sessions, less doomscrolling, improved focus, values-based community, trust, calmer mood. | Control over environment, protection from pressure, trust in well-being focus. | Reclaimed 1-2 daily hours, relief/clarity, agency/pride, authentic interactions. | Long-term shift in digital relation, pride in healthy habits, TrueGram becomes default healthy space. |
| Environmental Impact | Reduces massive energy waste caused by addictive, endless scrolling loops. | Minimal footprint: brief data usage only for app exposure. | Lowers energy consumption via media optimization and Dark Mode defaults. | Energy usage for profile creation; optimized onboarding reduces digital waste. | Cuts carbon footprint significantly by eliminating endless video scrolling. | Reduces per-user energy intensity through finite, intentional sessions. |
| Social Impact | Protects neurodivergent users excluded by overwhelming, addictive designs. | Raises awareness that social media can be non-addictive and healthy. | Democratizes access to privacy and inclusive design standards. | Sets new norms for respectful, non-exploitative digital onboarding. | Reduces toxic engagement: fosters safer, more authentic communities. | Shifts industry standard to 'Digital Wellbeing'. |
Team
Generally, all team members contributed equally to the development of our product. The Product Ideation was done as a group as well as the discussions of the Reflection Cards. For the Inclusive User Groups each team member focused on one group.
Benedikt Geisberger, B.Sc. Information Systems
• Design of prototypes
• Development of app
• First Presentation: Problem Section
• Final Presentation: Product & SolutionPaula Graichen, B.Sc. Information Systems
• Preparation and writing of website content
• Formulation of documentation
• First Presentation: User Groups
• Final Presentation: ReflectionMikhail Khinevich, B.Sc. Information Systems
• Production of video content
• First Presentation: Systemic Journey Map
• Final Presentation: Impact StatementTroy Rivera, B.Sc. Informatics
• Creation and conductment of user survey
• First Presentation: Product Concept
• Final Presentation: Problem Section & User ResearchMark Stockhausen, B.Sc. Management and Technology
• Preparation and writing of website content
• Development of app
• First Presentation: Product Goal & Competitive Landscape
• Final Presentation: Product Goal
Presentation Slides
Documentation
Below is the documentation of all Conscious Service Design methods used during the course, including Inclusive Segment Cards, Critical Reflection Cards, and the full Systemic Journey Map. Additionally it contains each member's contributions and the AI transparency statement.