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OFF.PSYCH
UX RESEARCH | BRANDING | UI DESIGN | LANDING PAGE
An app specially designed to broaden people´s awareness on holistic ways to treat anxiety and depression.
Are you aware of your mental well-being? Have you been diagnosed with depression or anxiety?
This project takes into account that current psychological treatments are often designed with a "one size fits all" mentality. There are many forms of holistic treatments that can help people nurture their well-being.
So, how can we contribute to this issue?
We believe it is time to empower people by opening windows of possibilities that allow them to expand their healing journey.
"off.psych" is designed to achieve increased knowledge and awareness of mental health and promote holistic medicine as a form of treatment. Users have guided exercises to help them cope with a variety of mental health disorders, while also providing them with information on different holistic approaches to be used as treatment. Additionally, the platform connects users with top-qualified providers in the field, allowing them to continue their healing.
Brief
Create an app that provides knowledge on holistic health to battle anxiety and depression.
Goal
For our users to take control of their health by having access to safe and curated information.
Overview
Through research and surveys, we've observed that it is not common to provide patients with information on the side effects and long-term effects of prescription medicine. Only recently have very few holistic forms of well-being been presented to the public as a form of treatment; however, many more remain taboo or hidden under a skeptical eye. We are also aware that educating oneself on different methods of healing is time-consuming and requires a lot of research, so…
HOW MIGHT WE CREATE A SEAMLESS APP THAT OPTIMIZES USERS' TIME AND EFFORT WHILE EMPOWERING THEM THROUGH AWARENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY TO HOLISTIC MEDICINE WHILE ALSO PROVIDE A SAFE COMMUNITY AND TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR LIVES.
“I work a lot and suffer from anxiety. I just wish there was something that could calm me during the day. Prescription pills make me feel worst”.
TARGET USER
Mary Jones
28 years old | Pediatrician | San Diego
A 28 years old recently graduated pediatrician. Mary has been prescribed a control substance as a form of treatment for her anxiety since her adolescence. She grew up skeptical of any type of holistic approach to health, Now that she´s older, she is more open to trying other forms of treatment as she would like to eventually stop a dependency on her medicine that in the long-run has made her feel worst.
GOALS
// Find a better way to cope with her anxiety.
// Learn more about her mental health to make better choices in how to take care of herself.
// Find a community where she can validate what goes on in her mind and the way she feels.
FRUSTRATIONS
// Having a dependency to pills that have side effects.
// Feeling like she's not dealing with what causes her anxiety and depression.
// Feeling emotionally numb after taking pills.
// Not enough time to research on all the topics she'd like.
// Wanting to discover what else is out there to treat herself but not knowing where to start.
Research | Process & Methods
COMPETITORS ANALYSIS
We recognized the importance of understanding the existing landscape and how other apps were addressing similar issues. To achieve this, we conducted both visual and feature analyses of these mental health apps. These analyses enabled us to delve into their communication strategies with users, identifying areas for enhancement and potential changes.
These were the most relevant apps we analyzed.
SURVEYS
After conducting a brainstorming session on the project and engaging in discussions regarding the topics of mental health, depression, and anxiety, we developed surveys to gain insights and comprehend the general public's perspectives on these issues, as well as to gauge the opinions of potential users. This process allowed us to validate several of our assumptions and ideas.
We found that:
85% of Surveyers where between the ages of 20 to 40 years of age.
Most of surveyers are aware of their mental health.
90% of surveyers are diagnossed or have self diagnosed into: depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive, trauma and Stressors, Sleep-Wake and ADHD Dissorders
80% of surveyers are actively taking steps to prevent mental conditions as they age.
60% of surveyers have heard of Holistic medicine as a form of treatment for metal conditions.
70% of surveyers have tried or are willing to try a form holiostic therapy as treatment.
75% of surveyers have a community where they feel confortable being themselves.
AFFINITY MAP | HOW MIGHT WE | PROBLEM STATEMENT | HYPOTHESIS STATEMENT
Following our findings, we successfully synthesized the information and organized it into an affinity map.
We identified four primary categories for our focus:
From there, we created "HMW statements," which helped us shape our Problem Statements and Hypotheses. These statements honed in on the problems we needed to tackle and paved the way forward.
Problem Statement
User Needs:
We have observed that the current approach is not satisfying/ providing users with proper information on the side effects and long-term effects of the current treatment as well as other alternative less popular options.
Business Needs:
How might we improve off.psych so that our users are more successful based on their Empowerment in making educated decisions to take control of their mental health journey.
Goal:
Off.psych was designed to achieve increased knowledge and awareness of mental health and holistic medicine as a treatment.
HMW
HOW MIGHT WE CREATE A SEAMLESS APP THAT OPTIMIZES USERS' TIME AND EFFORT WHILE EMPOWERING THEM THROUGH AWARENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY TO HOLISTIC MEDICINE WHILE ALSO PROVIDE A SAFE COMMUNITY AND TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR LIVES.
HYPOTHESIS STATEMENT
WE BELIEVE THAT DEVELOPING OFF.PSYCH FOR DIAGNOSED PATIENTS AND THOSE SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION WILL ENHANCE AWARENESS AND EMPOWERMENT, ENABLING USERS TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THEIR TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR COPING WITH AND PREVENTING MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.
EMPATHY MAP & USER JOURNEY MAP
Now that we had identified our destination, we crafted an empathy map to gain a deeper understanding of the users' pains and gains. This process guided us in creating a user journey map depicting Mary BJones' worst day. By examining the gaps in her day, we could pinpoint precisely what our app required.
PAINS
GAINS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
High Point
Some sort of release by doing a video breath work
Low Point
Morning Podcast, where the long term use of prescription medicine has significant side effects.
Greatest Gift
The opportunity to slowly come off prescription medicine while finding other treatment options on a holistic approach.
Greatest Threat
Finding unscrupulous practitioners that will not provide aid but will take your money.
Planning for Execution
MOSCOW MAP
Once we had this part figured out we used a Moscow method to write down exactly what our app needed to be whole.
COULD HAVE
// Connection with real therapist with in the app- they would pay a commission
// Global directory of holistic providers
// Daily morning and before bed affirmations to make you feel better
// Through the app get appointments with health providers
// A connection to websites and blogs that provide insight in topics our community and app value
MUST-HAVE
// A community based by disorder
// Daily check ups
// Directory of providers of holistic health
// Library of information organized by technique
// AI instant support system
// A.I. Chatting
// Tracking of your emotions
// An account with saved info
// At-home resources
// A donate base business model
SHOULD HAVE
// In case of emergency, alert local authorities to rescue and provide Aid
// Podcast and Videos from certified and local physicians, coaches, and gurus
// Monthly summary of well-being and health state
WONT HAVE
// Won't have direct messages between users to avoid any unprofessional advice
// Dating, matching, or flirting between users
// Hate speech, or discriminating content
// It will not be pro-prescription medicine
// Other users won't be able to know the content being reviewed.
// Advertisement
// A freemium business model
USER FLOW
After having listed out all the necessities for our app we created a user flow that would help us understand better what the app would look like and the tasks that needed to be done for the user to meet their goals.
Designing the Branding
MOOD BOARD
We created two mood boards alongside names and conducted surveys to find the best look and feel for our app. Users chose a freeish-calm-looking spiritual vibe with greens and purples in it. So, Off.psych was created. The moodboard´s goal was to effectively express the vibe and overall feeling of the app as well as a guide to show us colors and the type of images we would use to design the app.
From the visual competitor analysis, we studied the colors and fonts they were using. We used the mood board as guidance and the competition as boundaries to design something different from what's being offered.
FREEDOM | SPIRITUAL | NEW ANCIENT | KNOWLEDGE | GOING WITHIN
NAME & LOGO
The name Off.psych is rooted in a powerful concept: helping users transition away from medications that may be doing more harm than good. The "off" signifies the app's mission to support users in reducing or eliminating their dependency on these medications. The "psych," following the period, represents the journey within—once off the meds, Off.psych aims to guide users to explore their own psyche, providing tools and therapies that promote holistic healing and self-discovery.
LOGO VARIATION USAGE
Designing the App
LOW-FI & MID-FI
After establishing the right tone for our app, we developed a low-fidelity prototype to understand the optimal layout. Once we selected the ideal layout, we advanced to a mid-fidelity prototype, which allowed us to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions moving forward. We conceptualized a design that prioritized user needs while maintaining a harmonious and crisp aesthetic, ensuring the application effectively showcases various holistic medicine methods for mental health treatment.
Following initial testing with a small group of trusted peers, we felt confident in creating a mid-fidelity prototype to send out for broader testing. This step was crucial to validate our initial assumptions, ensure the information was presented logically, and confirm the app's usability and ease of navigation for our target users.
HI-FI
NIGHT MODE
Landing Page
This project involved creating the landing page for the Off.psych app. The goal was to design a user-friendly and visually appealing introduction to the app, highlighting its unique approach to mental health treatment through non-medicinal methods. The landing page was crafted to communicate the app’s mission, features, and the role of Atma, the AI chatbot, in providing support to users.
Conclusion
The Off.psych project represents a thoughtful fusion of design, user experience, and holistic mental health care. From initial concept development to the final landing page, each step was carefully executed to ensure that the app not only meets the needs of its users but also provides a seamless and supportive experience. The integration of Atma, the AI chatbot, as well as the clear and intuitive design, showcases the potential of Off.psych to make a meaningful impact in the realm of mental wellness. This project exemplifies my commitment to creating solutions that are not only functional but also deeply empathetic to the user’s journey.
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