Aprentic

Bridging the Digital Divide for the Silver Economy

Turning digital anxiety into human connection through an accessible mentorship platform.

Product Strategy • UX Research • 2 Weeks

61% of people over 65 in Spain don't use the internet due to a lack of knowledge. However, our research revealed a deeper behavioral pattern: the barrier isn't cognitive decline, but the emotional cost of feeling like a burden to their families.

The Challenge:

We moved away from the standard "learning app" model. Instead, we built a mentorship ecosystem that replaces cognitive friction with human support. The core idea was simple: Design for trust, not just for function.

The Solution - Logic in Action

01. Removing The Entry Barrier

Standard logins (email/password) are the first drop-off point for this demographic due to memory challenges.

The Fix: We stripped the onboarding process down to the essentials. By using numeric/ID verification and avoiding complex forms, we removed the "fear of forgetting," allowing users to enter the platform with confidence from second one.

The images are interactive prototypes

02. Cognitive Accessibility

Accessibility isn't just about font size; it's about reducing decision fatigue.

The Fix: We implemented an Atomic Design system based on "oversized clarity."

Large touch targets, explicit labels (no abstract icons), and a calming color palette specifically chosen to lower anxiety levels during navigation.

03. Empowering through Voice

Typing on small screens is a major friction point for users with reduced motor skills or vision.

The Fix: We prioritized voice commands and audio messages as a primary input method, turning a barrier into a seamless communication channel between the student and their volunteer mentor. 

High-fidelity prototype developed in React to test voice interaction feasibility.

The Outcome & Reflections

Role & Team

My focus: Product Discovery and Research Lead.
Collaborators: Andrea Ágedas and Fernando Muñoz. 

The Outcome: Empathy as a Feature Aprentic challenged the misconception that seniors are "tech-illiterate." We proved that when you remove cognitive friction—replacing passwords with ID verification and typing with voice commands—the barrier isn't ability; it's design.

Retrospective & Next Steps: While the prototype validated the interaction logic, a 2-week sprint has limitations. Executed in 2022, we lacked the high-fidelity interactivity and rapid prototyping speed available today.

If I were to iterate on this product today, my priority would be field testing the voice recognition engine with users over 75 in noisy environments. Lab testing rarely accounts for the hesitation and volume variances typical of this demographic, which could be a critical friction point in a real-world launch.