Interview about Conexion Mobile Application, winner of the A' Mobile Technologies, Applications and Software Design Award 2025
Conexion is a mobile application designed to strengthen emotional bonds between expectant couples. It features a dual-interface system, providing health tracking and emotional support for mothers while offering guided engagement tools for fathers. AI-driven emotional analysis, biometric sensing via Apple Watch, and real-time mood sharing help foster empathy and understanding. With personalized recommendations, milestone tracking, and expert insights, Conexion enhances communication and support throughout pregnancy, ensuring a more connected experience for both partners
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe inspiration for Conexión started close to home, through conversations with friends who were expecting. We noticed that while there are many apps focused on fetal development or pregnancy education, very few addressed the emotional experience of the couple. Our in-depth research confirmed this: emotional support, especially from a partner, plays a critical role during pregnancy; yet, most existing tools treat the journey as a solo experience for women.We found that expectant fathers often want to be supportive, but lack clear guidance or understanding of what their partner is going through. That’s when we envisioned the dual-interface system — one that recognizes each partner's unique perspective while strengthening their emotional bond.The design includes personalized prompts for men, such as: “Your partner is in week 10 — hormonal changes may affect her mood. Here’s how you can support her today.” These small yet empathetic nudges help bridge the emotional gap with timely, relevant insights.To validate this approach, we conducted user interviews and prototype testing with real couples. Their feedback helped refine how each interface works individually while still feeling connected, creating a shared experience rooted in care, not just content.
The idea to merge AI and biometric sensing came from a desire to move beyond surface-level check-ins. During pregnancy, emotions can shift rapidly, and couples may struggle to communicate those changes in real time. We wanted to create a more intuitive system that could gently help each partner understand how the other is feeling, even when words are hard to find.Emotion detection has always been a fascinating and rapidly evolving field. Even tech giants like Apple are investing heavily in exploring how devices can better sense and respond to emotional states, which shows how important and relevant this space is becoming. For Conexión, bringing this capability into the context of pregnancy allows us to support emotional well-being in a meaningful, personal way.By combining biometric data (like heart rate variability from wearables) with emotional context cues analyzed through AI, Conexión can detect mood patterns and offer thoughtful nudges or insights tailored to each partner. For instance, if one partner shows signs of stress, the app might suggest a small act of kindness or shared mindfulness exercise.This integration was inspired by both neuroscience research and an empathy-driven design mindset, understanding that emotions are deeply tied to physiology and relational dynamics. Instead of replacing connection, the technology quietly supports it in the background, helping partners respond to each other with more understanding, especially during emotionally intense moments.
emotional and biometric data — especially during such an intimate time as pregnancy — requires deep sensitivity and trust. Our goal wasn’t just to collect data, but to handle it in a way that respects each user’s autonomy and emotional safety.Conexión uses privacy-by-design principles, ensuring that data is collected transparently, stored securely, and only shared between partners with explicit consent. Users have full control over what they choose to reveal or hide, and can adjust those preferences anytime. For features like mood sharing or biometric insights, we designed soft, opt-in entry points — so the experience always feels supportive, never intrusive.We also worked to minimize data retention and avoid unnecessary tracking. Our priority is not to “own” user data, but to facilitate meaningful emotional connection between partners. This balance between offering meaningful support and protecting user dignity defines the integrity of Conexión. Ultimately, we believe emotional design and ethical design go hand in hand. Respecting privacy strengthens the very trust and intimacy the app is designed to foster.
Of course! I think it was a very natural part of the design process. For an everyday app like Conexión, one of the most important ways to keep users engaged is to make the experience feel enjoyable and meaningful. Small interactions and gentle game-like elements are often core parts of emotional design. They help users stay connected not just to the app, but to each other.Our team spent a lot of time thinking about how to design these features in a way that would enhance connection rather than distract from it. We weren’t trying to turn pregnancy into a game — rather, we wanted to celebrate small acts of love, encouragement, and daily presence. For example, we might suggest a mini challenge like “Give your partner a small surprise today” or track emotional check-ins as a shared ritual. These elements make the journey more interactive and personal.We also made sure the tone stayed empathetic — always supportive, never superficial. Gamification in Conexión is subtle and human-centered. It’s about reinforcing emotional bonds, reminding couples of their connection, and turning everyday moments into meaningful memories.
As I mentioned before, many existing products focus heavily on educating users about fetal development. While that information is certainly important, what we discovered through our research is that mothers often need something more immediate and emotional: understanding, especially from their partners.We found that many fathers genuinely want to help but often feel lost. They don’t understand why their partner’s mood shifts suddenly, and even after reading articles or searching online, they can’t always find relevant or timely support. There’s a gap between intention and action, and that’s where emotional disconnect begins to grow.These insights became the foundation for Conexión’s dual-interface system. Instead of building a single user flow for both people, we designed two parallel experiences — each tailored to reflect the emotional needs and mental state of the user, while still remaining closely connected to their partner’s experience. For example, the app might tell a father, “Your partner may be feeling more sensitive this week — here’s how you can support her today,” while offering the mother space for emotional journaling or biometric reflections.This interconnected but individualized approach helps both partners feel seen, supported, and included. It’s not just about information — it’s about building daily moments of empathy, which strengthens the relationship during one of life’s most transformative times.
Designing the real-time mood sharing feature was one of the most ambitious — and emotionally delicate — parts of Conexión. Our goal was to create a way for partners to stay emotionally attuned to each other throughout the day, even without needing to constantly check in or explain how they feel. But achieving that balance — between accuracy, subtlety, and emotional safety — was a major challenge.First, we had to consider the sensitivity of emotional data. We didn’t want to reduce complex feelings into something overly simplistic or mechanical. So instead of forcing users to rate their mood manually or in fixed categories, we explored a blend of biometric cues (from wearables like the Apple Watch), passive journaling, and optional mood check-ins to give context to emotional states. The system gently interprets patterns over time rather than reacting to a single signal.Second, we had to design for tone. We didn’t want users to feel exposed, judged, or overwhelmed. So every notification or mood update is softly framed — more like a whisper of support than a spotlight. For example: “It seems your partner might be feeling a little anxious today — a warm gesture could help.”We also made the system two-way and respectful. Both partners must opt in, and mood sharing is never one-sided or intrusive. This ensures the feature builds trust rather than tension.Overall, the hardest part was not the technology — it was the emotional nuance. But it’s that nuance that makes Conexión feel truly human.
Winning the Gold A' Design Award is undoubtedly a huge affirmation and encouragement. For a startup studio like us, there are still many things to learn. We are currently in the early stages of development, and this recognition motivates us to continue refining and expanding Conexión.Looking ahead, we see Conexión evolving to become an even more holistic companion for expectant couples — one that integrates deeper emotional insights, personalized guidance, and community support.We plan to enhance the AI-driven emotional analysis to better understand complex feelings over time, tailoring suggestions not just to mood but also to communication styles and relationship dynamics. This would help partners navigate the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy with more grace and confidence.Additionally, we aim to incorporate more interactive and shared experiences — like joint mindfulness exercises, partner challenges, or even virtual support groups — to foster a sense of togetherness beyond the app. We’re also exploring integrations with healthcare providers to seamlessly connect emotional well-being with medical care, making Conexión a bridge between the personal and clinical sides of pregnancy support. Ultimately, the goal is to continuously deepen emotional connection and understanding, supporting couples in ways that truly transform their journey into parenthood.As a new company, we are also actively seeking partnerships and investment opportunities to help us grow and make Conexión accessible to more families worldwide.
Throughout our research and testing phases, the feedback from expectant couples was invaluable in shaping Conexión into what it is today. One of the most consistent points was that many felt existing pregnancy apps focus almost exclusively on fetal development, leaving emotional and relational needs largely unaddressed.Expectant mothers shared that while educational content is helpful, what they truly needed was emotional support and understanding, especially from their partners. Meanwhile, fathers expressed feeling sidelined and unsure how to actively participate or support their partners effectively.This dual feedback motivated us to create separate yet connected experiences within the app, ensuring both partners feel seen, heard, and involved.Another key insight was the desire for simplicity and warmth in the user interface — users wanted an app that felt like a caring companion rather than a medical tool or textbook. This led us to focus on gentle reminders, mood sharing, and interactive features that promote connection without overwhelming the user.Ultimately, the honest, real-world voices of expectant couples guided us to build a more empathetic, human-centered experience that challenges traditional app norms by prioritizing relationship dynamics and emotional wellness.
The integration with Apple Watch is a key component in making Conexión a truly seamless and intimate experience. Traditional pregnancy apps often require users to actively open the app and input data, which can sometimes feel like a chore or add stress.Interestingly, in the early days of this project, we actually aimed to develop a watch-type product ourselves. The mobile app was initially planned as an auxiliary tool. We hoped to combine this new wearable device with emotional interaction features to create real-time, subtle communication between partners. However, given the development complexities and resource limitations, we pivoted to focus on the mobile app integrated with existing wearable technology like Apple Watch.With Apple Watch integration, Conexión can passively collect biometric data such as heart rate variability and stress levels in real time. This allows the app to detect subtle emotional changes without constant manual input. Partners can receive gentle, real-time notifications and mood updates directly on their wrists, creating an ongoing emotional dialogue that is both natural and unobtrusive.This constant, subtle communication bridges the emotional distance that can sometimes grow during pregnancy, especially when partners are busy or physically apart. It allows each partner to feel more connected and empathetic by sharing feelings as they arise, rather than relying solely on scheduled check-ins or text messages.Moreover, the watch’s convenience supports moments of mindfulness and connection, encouraging partners to pause, reflect, and respond with care in the moment.In this way, Apple Watch integration elevates Conexión from a traditional app to a living, breathing emotional support system that partners carry with them every day.
As we look toward the future, Conexión aims to redefine how digital pregnancy support embraces the emotional and relational dimensions of this unique life stage. Traditionally, maternal health apps have focused heavily on medical tracking and fetal development, but Conexión challenges this by placing the couple’s emotional connection at the center.We believe that emotional well-being is a foundational part of a healthy pregnancy, and digital tools should empower both partners to engage actively and empathetically. This approach encourages the development of more holistic maternal health applications that integrate emotional intelligence, relationship dynamics, and personalized support — areas that have been overlooked until now.Moreover, by leveraging biometric sensing, AI-driven emotional analysis, and wearable tech integration, Conexión exemplifies how emerging technologies can be harnessed to create deeply human-centered experiences.We hope that our work inspires other developers and healthcare providers to prioritize emotional connection alongside clinical data, making pregnancy apps not just informative but truly supportive.Ultimately, we envision a future where maternal health applications help couples build stronger bonds, reduce stress and anxiety, and prepare together for parenthood — transforming pregnancy into a shared, joyful journey.
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