As-tu mangé / 你吃了吗 ?

More and more young Chinese are going abroad to study. Over time, they are faced with the problem of homesickness. How can we help them stay connected to their close family circle that is so important to them?

As an Interaction Designer, Valentine has imagined an alternative to WeChat online messaging. Although effective, WeChat is not adapted to the complexity of family relationships. In Chinese culture, the expression "have you eaten? " is a way of getting news. A low-tech way to see if everything is going well. In contrast to WeChat’s fleeting messages, the device’s printer allows everyone to keep a tangible memory of family interactions, a collective memory.

"School competition sometimes leads Chinese students to study far away from their hometown and family. With this in mind, Valentine, UX/UI designer, created a connected object with a discreet interface. It enables warm exchanges between the student and his/her family, far removed from social networks. After extensive research in China, the designer identified mealtimes as a key element in maintaining family relationships. She therefore focused on the little words that are exchanged at these times that strengthen the relationship. To build this project, Valentine has developed a network linked to Chinese students living in China or Europe. Several experiments carried out alongside them have led her to a series of possible answers. Being far away from their relatives, students abroad are on a quest for independence. If they were in contact with their parents on social networks, they could feel deprived of a form of freedom. It is by skilfully targeting the needs of Chinese students that Valentine has designed a successful and carefully thought out project." Eric Mazodier, China Studio course leader