headway mental health app
with Tyrone Borman & Shaun Jefthas
BRIEF
An app which allows graphic design students to connect with one another without being in the same space, in light of the current COVID19 pandemic. Through the app, students would feel like they belong in a community, especially when they struggle mentally.
THE USER - BOB GREENWOOD
20 y/o Graphic design student in Cape Town
Specialises in illustration, gaming in his spare time.
Enjoys watching anime, has questionable eating habits and gets anxious in crowds (even more since the pandemic).
He really wants to be a successful graphic designer and recognised for his work and talent so that he’s able to turn his passion of illustrating into a career.
TASK
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Create an that app would have support for mental health and through it, students should feel connected.
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Include contact of mental health professionals and their profiles
OUTCOME
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Understand the users needs, and pain points & a user-journey addressing the needs
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An app that is easy to use and assists with student mental health challenges
PAIN POINTS
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Feeling creatively isolated without a visually diverse environment.
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Struggles with time management
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Anxious when needing to talk to other people
NEEDS
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To be able to communicate in a safe space ( without judgment or negative criticism)
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Handle pressure and keep a calm mind in stressful situations
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To remain creatively motivated during the pandemic
THE USER JOURNEY
When using the app, the user should :
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Feel calm, stable, motivated
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Safe
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Not judged & freedom to speak out
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Connected to a community
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Regain creative confidence
BEFORE
DURING
AFTER
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Feelings of lonliness
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Demotived
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Anxious
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“meh“
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Calm
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Serene
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Connected
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Informed
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Hopeful
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Motivated
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Connected
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Inspired
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Confident
THE APP
GOALS
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Offer a variety of avenues of support
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Provide group & individual assistance
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Create community with people who read/choose similar pain points in the beginning
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Create a sense of progression for accomplishment
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Provide certified/reliable mental healthcare information and access to a professional counseling network
OFFERING
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Platform to ask questions that can be answered by mental health professionals.
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Articles & exercises written
by counselors to provide offline help -
Feelings log so you can track your mental health progression and suggestions for articles
THE LOOK & FEEL
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Soothing colours
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Curved shapes & edges
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Clean & simple uncluttered interface
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Curved & line icon selection
PROTOTYPING
Offer a variety of avenues of support
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Personal profile for mental health goals and progress for a sense of achievement
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Create community with people through forums and open question platform to be answered by listed professionals
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Professionals listing, bio and article collection
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Self-help options of reading or listening
HEADWAY
Making “Headway“ is about moving forward and progressing towards goals. This is exactly what the app aims to do for graphic design students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As normal life as we knew it came to a stand still, confined to the indoors, it became difficult for a creative mind to move forward without feeling overwhelmed, anxious and isolated.
The spiral represents the unfurling of overwhelming thoughts and feelings of a journey to mental health experienced by the user.
The app not only provides resources to give the user control of their mental state but also encourages growth and progress tracking through a user profile.
