In a significant recognition of innovation in mental health technology, Memory Land, a groundbreaking digital memorial app created by accomplished artist and designer Qihang Zhang, has been nominated for the prestigious UX Design Awards 2025. The nomination, part of the awards’ milestone 10th anniversary year, distinguishes Memory Land from over 440 submissions across 38 countries, demonstrating its transformative approach to grief and remembrance in the digital age.

Addressing Critical Needs in Mental Health Support

The nomination comes at a pivotal time in digital mental health solutions. The global digital mental health market, valued at $5.5 billion in 2023, is projected to exceed $15 billion by 2030, with grief support emerging as a crucial yet underserved segment. Traditional grief support services, while valuable, face accessibility challenges and limitations in meeting the needs of an increasingly digital-native population.

Memory Land bridges this gap with a technologically sophisticated and emotionally intelligent platform for grief processing. “Grief is deeply personal, but it doesn’t have to be isolating,” explains Zhang. “Memory Land offers people a sense of agency and creativity in honoring their lost loved ones while embracing technology’s power to heal.”

Innovative Features of Memory Land

Photo Courtesy: Memory Land

Memory Land stands as a breakthrough in digital memorial platforms, combining cutting-edge technology with empathetic design. At its core, the app leverages generative AI technology to help users create and preserve meaningful connections with their loved ones. The platform’s distinctive features include:

• Advanced 3D Scanning Technology: Users can digitize physical mementos, from handwritten notes to cherished family heirlooms, preserving them in precise detail within their digital memorial spaces.
• Immersive Virtual Spaces: The app enables users to construct personalized memorial environments that can be customized with various media elements including photos, videos, and audio recordings.
• Collaborative Memory Sharing: Families and friends can collectively contribute to and maintain memorial spaces, fostering connection and shared remembrance even across geographical distances.
• Intuitive User Interface: The platform’s design achieves the perfect balance between simplicity and depth, ensuring accessibility for users of all technical backgrounds while supporting profound personal expression.

Scientific Foundation and Therapeutic Approach

Memory Land’s design is grounded in scientific research, particularly the dual process model of grief (Stroebe & Schut, 1999), which emphasizes the importance of balancing loss-oriented and restoration-oriented activities for healthy grieving. Studies have consistently shown that creative expression enhances emotional resilience and facilitates healing during the grieving process.

The platform’s approach aligns with established research demonstrating that digital tools, when thoughtfully designed, provide effective support for mental health challenges. By combining creative expression with technological accessibility, Memory Land creates a unique therapeutic environment that complements traditional grief support methods.

Real-World Impact and User Experiences

Memory Land’s transformative impact is evident in user experiences. One international student shared how the platform helped preserve connections to their late father’s calligraphy and poetry, creating a portable sanctuary of memories accessible from anywhere in the world. Such testimonials showcase the platform’s effectiveness in addressing the unique challenges faced by globally mobile individuals in maintaining meaningful connections to lost loved ones.

About Qihang Zhang

As a senior product designer at Chartmetric, Qihang Zhang has solidified his reputation as a leading innovator in user experience design, shaping industry standards with his award-winning work. His portfolio exemplifies a deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital interaction, combining cutting-edge technology, human-centered design, and data-driven insights to create products that resonate with users.

At Chartmetric, Zhang has led the design and strategic vision for several high-impact initiatives, including Talent Search, Artist Milestone Social Media Campaign, Chartmetric Mobile App, and Landing Page—all of which have been recognized with prestigious industry awards. His contributions have enhanced product usability, streamlined workflows for artists and industry professionals, and reinforced Chartmetric’s position as a leader in music data analytics.

Beyond traditional UX design, Zhang’s work masterfully blends technology with emotion, bringing a unique perspective to digital experiences. His design philosophy is rooted in scientific research and psychological insights, ensuring that products are not only intuitive but also foster emotional well-being. Through Memory Land, an AI-driven platform that helps individuals process grief, and his broader work at Chartmetric, Zhang showcases how creative technology can address universal human needs while delivering seamless, engaging user experiences. His ability to synthesize design, technology, and storytelling makes him a powerful force in shaping the future of user experience.

Photo Courtesy: Qihang Zhang

Future Implications and Market Impact

As the digital mental health landscape evolves, Memory Land leads the frontier of emotional support technology. The widespread adoption of digital solutions for mental health, coupled with sophisticated understanding of grief’s complex nature, validates the significance of innovative approaches to emotional wellness.

Memory Land’s nomination for the UX Design Awards 2025 adds to its impressive list of accolades, including being a finalist for the iF Design Award and winning Gold at the London Design Awards. These recognitions affirm Zhang’s vision and underscore the crucial role of technology in supporting emotional well-being.

The public can vote for Memory Land in the UX Design Awards Public Choice category until February 25, 2025, through the awards website. Winners will be announced on March 5, 2025, in a live-streamed ceremony.

Published by Anne C.