The Centre for Digital Media (CDM) is providing financial support to students while fostering a sense of community and gratitude through the launch of the Nourish and Flourish initiative. Led by Lana Tang, Manager of Programs and Student Services at CDM, this initiative integrates Emoot—a Vancouver-based tech startup specializing in meaningful digital gifting—to offer students both financial aid and emotional encouragement.
Nourish and Flourish: A Community-Driven Support System
The initiative uses Emoot’s platform to deliver a heartfelt video message accompanied by a cash e-transfer, giving students a boost to their financial well-being. In an inspiring display of generosity, some students even chose to donate part or all of their received funds to an emergency student fund, further strengthening the spirit of mutual support within the CDM community.
“This initiative reinforces the profound impact that community support and financial help can have on a student’s well-being,” says Lana. “Emoot was the perfect partner for this initiative and inspired us to continue building on this in the future.”
In an anonymous survey, students shared how the campaign eased their financial burdens, helping them with essentials like groceries. Many expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, describing it as a timely and uplifting support system that alleviated stress and reinforced their sense of belonging within the CDM community.
The Role of Emoot: Transforming Gifting into Meaningful Connections
Emoot was founded by Nicola Claxton after finding $500 worth of forgotten gift cards. This led to the realization of the wastefulness of traditional gift cards and the need for a more personal, emotion-driven gifting experience. Inspired by research on happiness and the psychology of gifting, Emoot was developed to strengthen connections and show appreciation in a thoughtful, and practical, way.
“Gift cards might be easy to buy but 1 in 3 are never used,” says Nicola. “We’re solving this problem by creating a more meaningful and effective way to give cash directly, instead of giving gift cards.” With co-founder Adam Delfino and funding from National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), the team has built a straightforward yet innovative web application that brings joy to gifters and giftees alike.
Collaboration with Master of Digital Media Students
Beyond its role in the Nourish and Flourish initiative, Emoot has also contributed to student learning and professional growth. In 2023, Emoot partnered with six Master of Digital Media students to create their Minimum “Lovable” Product (MLP). This collaboration allowed students to apply their skills in UI/UX design, research, and product development, culminating in an initial prototype and feature roadmap for Emoot.
“The student projects at CDM were so impressive, and I was struck by the creativity and dedication on display,” says Nicola. Over three months, the students engaged in design iteration, primary research, and creative problem-solving to refine Emoot’s initial concept.
Zikun Zhang, one of the students involved, shared their experience: “Working with Nicola and the Emoot team was an exciting experience. We were given a lot of freedom to explore, which helped our creativity shine. I learned a lot about product development from a new perspective. It was a great opportunity to grow both technically and creatively.”
Meet the Students Behind Emoot’s Prototype Development
A Future of Continued Support and Innovation
With the success of the Nourish and Flourish initiative, CDM and Emoot continue to explore new ways to support students financially and emotionally. By blending technology with heartfelt connection and direct cash giving, this initiative demonstrates how creative solutions can make a real difference in students’ lives.
As Emoot grows, its partnership with CDM stands as a testament to the power of community-driven support—helping students not just get by but thrive.
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