Social enterprise thinking involves using business tools to address social needs and create positive change. This approach was employed to develop a solution for E-motion, as it is inherently human-focused and the project had a significant social component. To complete this project effectively, the human-centered design approach was used as a framework for each step of the design thinking process.
The preliminary research aimed to understand the context of emotional stress and explore methods to increase emotional awareness. Three specific questions guided this research, which led to findings that provided a deeper understanding of the subject.
What physical markers can reflect someone's emotional health? HRV (Heart Rate Variability) measurements can create awareness of how lifestyle and thought patterns influence emotional states. HRV is a valuable tool for motivating behavioral change by monitoring susceptibility to stress and improving resilience.
What causes the most stress? The research identified that excessive responsibilities, financial issues, and work-related challenges are major contributors to stress and anxiety. These insights help in pinpointing specific social spaces to target the product.
What methods can bring awareness to mental health? According to Great Mountain Behavioral Healthcare, discussing mental health is crucial for ending stigma and supporting those affected. Educating oneself on the common signs and symptoms of different mental disorders is also essential.
The preliminary research discovered that HRV (Heart Rate Variability) measurements can raise awareness of how lifestyle and thought patterns impact emotional states, aiding in stress management and resilience. Key stressors include excessive responsibilities, financial issues, and work-related challenges. Improving emotional awareness involves discussing mental health to reduce stigma and educating oneself on the signs and symptoms of mental disorders.
What physical markers can reflect someone's emotional health? HRV (Heart Rate Variability) measurements can create awareness of how lifestyle and thought patterns influence emotional states. HRV is a valuable tool for motivating behavioral change by monitoring susceptibility to stress and improving resilience.
What causes the most stress? The research identified that excessive responsibilities, financial issues, and work-related challenges are major contributors to stress and anxiety. These insights help in pinpointing specific social spaces to target the product.
What methods can bring awareness to mental health? According to Great Mountain Behavioral Healthcare, discussing mental health is crucial for ending stigma and supporting those affected. Educating oneself on the common signs and symptoms of different mental disorders is also essential.
The preliminary research discovered that HRV (Heart Rate Variability) measurements can raise awareness of how lifestyle and thought patterns impact emotional states, aiding in stress management and resilience. Key stressors include excessive responsibilities, financial issues, and work-related challenges. Improving emotional awareness involves discussing mental health to reduce stigma and educating oneself on the signs and symptoms of mental disorders.
The secondary research aimed to identify the best existing solutions for stress relief. This exploration was crucial for understanding market offerings and guiding the design of a unique and competitive product.
The research identified nine effective methods for reducing stress, with meditation, exercise, and proper sleep being the most impactful. Additional beneficial practices include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, aromatherapy, spending time in nature, journaling, socializing, and maintaining healthy eating habits.
The research identified nine effective methods for reducing stress, with meditation, exercise, and proper sleep being the most impactful. Additional beneficial practices include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, aromatherapy, spending time in nature, journaling, socializing, and maintaining healthy eating habits.
To better understand the needs of the client's target customers, personas were developed. Through discussions with the client and additional research, three user personas were created to represent the primary customer segments for the client's product.
These users prioritize their friends' mental health as much as their own. They are likely to use the product to support and monitor the emotional well-being of their friends.
Often leaders or directors managing large teams, these individuals use the product to promote positive mental health in the workplace, aiming to enhance productivity and employee well-being.
Although typically parents, this group uses the product to monitor the emotional health of family members. While their primary focus is on their family's well-being, they also consider their mental health important.
Creating these user personas highlighted that E-motion's target customers come from diverse environments and relationships. The product is designed to be used not only for personal mental health monitoring but also to support the well-being of others, including friends, colleagues, and family members.
These users prioritize their friends' mental health as much as their own. They are likely to use the product to support and monitor the emotional well-being of their friends.
Often leaders or directors managing large teams, these individuals use the product to promote positive mental health in the workplace, aiming to enhance productivity and employee well-being.
Although typically parents, this group uses the product to monitor the emotional health of family members. While their primary focus is on their family's well-being, they also consider their mental health important.
Creating these user personas highlighted that E-motion's target customers come from diverse environments and relationships. The product is designed to be used not only for personal mental health monitoring but also to support the well-being of others, including friends, colleagues, and family members.
Overall, the project was a success. The digital prototype effectively represented the key features of both the physical and digital solutions, and it was very well received by stakeholders, who were eager to start the development process.
This project underscored the importance and value of mental health. Stakeholders expressed, that the diffuser’s approach to emotional awareness and stress relief methods could have the potential for collaboration with brands like Headspace and Calm.
Despite the prototype being of lower fidelity than initially planned, stakeholders felt that it still showcased the potential of the product. This project also highlighted an opportunity for the mobile application to be monetized for therapist-to-patient communication and monitoring.
