Meemo
Creative note-taking and a memo system for permanent storage
ORGANIZATION
UNIST
YEAR
2020 (6m)
ROLE
디자인 엔지니어
기여
100%
RESPONSIBILITIES
Product Design, Prototyping
PROBLEM
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Paper Notes vs. Digital Notes: Which Do You Prefer?
Analog memos offer the advantage of free expression and intuitive accessibility, making them excellent tools for capturing creative ideas. However, they present clear limitations in terms of systematic organization and long-term storage. In contrast, digital notes provide vast storage capacity and powerful search capabilities but often restrict the freedom of creative expression.
Many users combine both analog and digital memo methods, but this hybrid approach often leads to weakened information consistency and difficulties with systematic organization and efficient retrieval. Therefore, there is a growing need for a new solution that can seamlessly integrate the freedom of analog memo-taking with the structured management capabilities of digital notes.
APPROACH
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To overcome the limitations of analog and digital systems, this project aimed to design an integrated solution that combines the intuitiveness of analog memos with the efficiency of digital notes. The goal was to address the shortcomings of both approaches and enable users to enjoy a more creative and efficient memo-taking experience.
System Design Connecting Analog and Digital: Analog memos are well-suited for intuitive and creative information generation, while digital memos excel in storage and retrieval efficiency. To combine the strengths of both systems and compensate for their weaknesses, we conducted user interviews and research to deeply analyze real-world usage patterns of analog and digital memo practices. As a result, we identified the need for a medium that could naturally transition memos created in the physical environment into the digital space. Based on this insight, we designed an integrated approach that connects both environments seamlessly without disrupting users’ existing memo habits.
Meemo: The Integrated Note-Taking Solution: Building on this system design, we developed a product called Meemo. Meemo features an intuitive interface and real-time conversion functionality, efficiently linking analog and digital memos. It preserves the creative freedom of analog memo-taking while maximizing the convenience of searching and managing notes digitally, providing a creative and efficient memo environment distinct from existing tools.
MEEMO
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Instant Cloud Upload and Digitization: When a user inserts a handwritten paper memo into Meemo, the device automatically converts it into a digital image and uploads it instantly to the cloud (e.g., Dropbox). This allows users to maintain the freedom of handwriting while gaining the advantages of easily searching and utilizing their memos across other digital devices. With Meemo, ideas generated during meetings or casual notes can be quickly and effortlessly digitized, naturally bridging the gap between analog and digital environments.
Intuitive Feedback System: During the upload process, Meemo’s front-facing disc rotates, providing both visual and physical feedback. This tactile motion helps users intuitively recognize the upload status and enhances their overall satisfaction with the digitization process. Beyond functional feedback, the rotating disc adds an element of enjoyment to the experience, offering a sensory-rich interaction during memo creation and digitization.
Seamless Connection Between Analog and Digital: Meemo is designed to handle the input and output of paper memos in a simple and efficient manner. Once a memo is inserted, it is automatically digitized, and after processing, the paper is smoothly ejected for reuse or storage. This process supports a seamless transition into the digital environment without disrupting the analog workflow. Users can continue writing memos intuitively on paper while experiencing the efficiency and convenience of digital memo management.
IMPLEMENTATION
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Physical Interaction Implementation: To naturally implement physical interactions, we designed a system based on Arduino. When users insert a sheet of paper, an infrared sensor detects it and a servo motor moves the paper accordingly. A DC motor drives the rotation of a disc, allowing users to intuitively monitor the upload progress. These physical interactions played a key role in seamlessly bridging the analog experience with the digital environment.
Cloud Integration and Application Development: To implement the core function of cloud storage, we developed a data communication system by integrating a Raspberry Pi with Arduino. The camera module captures handwritten memos, and the images are uploaded to the cloud in real time via the Dropbox API. This system enabled immediate digitization and storage of memos upon paper insertion, establishing a foundation for efficiently linking analog and digital environments.
Product Design and Mockup Production: Utilized Fusion 360 for 3D modeling to design the external appearance and internal structure of the product, and fabricated the exterior using CNC machining. Internal structural components were produced using 3D printing, with the design optimized for ease of assembly and maintenance. Through this process, Meemo was completed as a prototype featuring a user-friendly physical interface and a functional internal structure.
ACHIEVEMENT
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HCI Korea Creative Award Excellence Prize Winner: The Meemo project received the Excellence Prize at the HCI Korea Creative Award, recognized for its user experience design and innovative implementation of physical interactions. The judging panel highly praised Meemo’s original approach to integrating analog and digital memo systems, particularly commending the intuitive interface that enabled seamless transitions between paper and digital notes. One judge also highlighted Meemo’s potential for commercialization, positively evaluating its successful combination of technological innovation and market viability. This award served as a key acknowledgment of Meemo’s technological and design excellence.
Published in HCI Korea 2021 Conference Proceedings: The Meemo project was presented at the HCI Korea 2021 Conference as a case study focused on enhancing user experience through the integration of analog and digital memo systems. The paper discussed the use of physical computing technologies (such as infrared sensors and motor systems) and the design of a user-centered memo management interface, bridging academic discussions with practical design solutions. Through this work, Meemo demonstrated new possibilities for creating tactile memo experiences that connect analog and digital environments.
REFLECTION
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Turning Imagination into Reality Is as Complex and Unpredictable as Untangling Yarn
Meemo was the first project where I transformed an idea into a tangible product, and I quickly realized that even a simple idea requires countless problem-solving steps to come to life. In particular, connecting paper-based notes with digital technology led to unexpected technical challenges. We had to consider factors such as the thickness, strength, and edge shape of the paper—thin sheets struggled to move properly, and sharp corners would catch inside the device. Solving these issues demanded extensive time and numerous iterations to identify the optimal paper material and form.
Facing many first-time experiences, I sometimes burned PCBs or had to redo designs due to errors. However, I approached these challenges with the belief that overcoming each problem would lead to growth. I actively sought help from experts when needed and continuously improved the technology integration and structural design through repeated trials. Through this process, I built solid hands-on skills in technology integration using Arduino and Raspberry Pi, internal structure design, and mockup fabrication using 3D printing and CNC machining. The completed Meemo prototype was later awarded the Excellence Prize at the HCI Korea 2021 Creative Awards, recognized for both its clearly defined problem and creative solution.
This project was more than just a product development experience—it was an opportunity to sharpen both my technical skills and creative thinking. It taught me that even ideas that seem simple in imagination can become highly complex and unpredictable puzzles when brought into reality, much like the intricate task of untangling yarn.