Product & Experience Design for Mental Health Startup

Product & Experience Design for Mental Health Startup

E-motion Pioneering Emotional Well-being and Awareness Through Innovative Solutions

Client

E-motion is an emotional health startup dedicated to improving emotional well-being and promoting emotional awareness. The company aims to enable users to track their emotional health. E-motion must create a minimum viable product to support its users and expand its business.

Problem

Emotional health has declined over the years, with only 1 in 3 Americans describing their emotional health as excellent. E-motion is committed to addressing this issue by developing a product that enhances emotional well-being and awareness while considering its users' social setting.

User & Audience

This product aimed to attract new customers of all age ranges to E-motion. User personas were created to understand E-motion's target audience so that the product could be tailored to them.

Scope & Constraints

The project aimed to create and showcase a physical and digital product to alleviate emotional distress, monitor the user's emotional state, and enhance emotional awareness. In addition to the functional requirements, the request for the physical and digital product's aesthetic to be inspired by a specific designer and company contributed to the project's constraints.

Role & Responsibilities

As the only designer on the project, I was responsible for every aspect of the design process. Alongside collaborating with the stakeholders to form the product, my responsibilities included conducting research, iterative ideation, creating wireframes and sketches, and developing prototypes.

Social Enterprise Thinking Encourages Human-Centered Design thinking for E-motion

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.

Digital Prototypes
Were created to Showcase the Emotional Health Solutions

A prototype was developed to illustrate how the solution would enhance emotional health awareness. The prototype presentation included a persona, user flow, and interactive elements to effectively demonstrate the design and functionality of the mobile app and diffuser.

A scenario was created based on the Phenomenal Friend persona to highlight the benefits of sharing HRV updates with friends. This narrative helped set the context and showcase the practical advantages of the feature.

A detailed walkthrough using high-fidelity wireframes was presented to explain the entire process of sharing HRV updates. This thorough demonstration illustrated the functionality and user experience of the feature.

A video recording of the clickable prototype was produced to provide a realistic example of inviting a friend to a stress-relieving activity. This visual representation helped convey how the feature operates in a practical setting.

A scenario was created based on the Phenomenal Friend persona to highlight the benefits of sharing HRV updates with friends. This narrative helped set the context and showcase the practical advantages of the feature.

A detailed walkthrough using high-fidelity wireframes was presented to explain the entire process of sharing HRV updates. This thorough demonstration illustrated the functionality and user experience of the feature.

A video recording of the clickable prototype was produced to provide a realistic example of inviting a friend to a stress-relieving activity. This visual representation helped convey how the feature operates in a practical setting.

A scenario based on the Caring Colleague persona was developed to highlight the benefits of meditation and aromatherapy. This setup effectively illustrated how the diffuser supports these wellness activities.

A high-fidelity wireframe walkthrough was conducted to explain the process of starting the diffuser and initiating a meditation session. This demonstration detailed the functionality and user interaction with the product.

A video recording of the clickable prototype showcased a realistic example of starting the diffuser and beginning a meditation session. This helped visualize the user experience and operational aspects of the diffuser.

App
Diffuser
Solution
Produced, Emote - A Comprehensive Integration of Mobile App and Aromatherapy Diffuser

The design process resulted in the creation of Emote, a holistic solution tailored to meet the needs of both Emotion and its users. Emote integrates a mobile app with an aromatherapy diffuser, combining these products to enhance emotional awareness and effectively reduce stress for users. This seamless integration supports Emotion's goal of fostering emotional well-being and stress management.

The Emote diffuser is a versatile portable diffuser equipped with a touch screen that serves as a stress relief device and emotional state indicator. It connects to a mobile app to update and track the user's emotional state and activities.

Complementing the diffuser, the mobile app supports users in monitoring and sharing their emotional well-being while promoting stress relief and emotional awareness for themselves and others.

The Emote diffuser is a versatile portable diffuser equipped with a touch screen that serves as a stress relief device and emotional state indicator. It connects to a mobile app to update and track the user's emotional state and activities.

Complementing the diffuser, the mobile app supports users in monitoring and sharing their emotional well-being while promoting stress relief and emotional awareness for themselves and others.

Memoji

Emote enhances emotional awareness by displaying the user's Memoji on its screen. Users can choose between a live Memoji for real-time facial expression imitation or a static emotional state display, offering a personalized emotional indicator.

Timer

The diffuser reminds the users of scheduled stress relief activities, such as meditation breaks. It also provides suggestions for timed breaks based on historical emotional state data.

Aroma Therapy

The diffuser offers consistent or on-demand aromatherapy, solving the issue of delayed stress relief by allowing users to select an appropriate stress relief method based on their setting. For instance, aromatherapy can be used in public spaces.

Meditation & Music:

Emote addresses stress relief through discreet unguided meditation and music, with options for guided meditation in private settings. This versatility supports stress management in various environments.

Emotional State Display

By using the camera to project a color representing the user's mood on the diffuser’s screen, Emote fosters emotional awareness for both the user and those around them.

HRV Tracking

The mobile app uses a smartwatch to track HRV in real time, enhancing emotional awareness regardless of the user's location.

Emotion State Tracking

Users can update their emotional state in the app, which can also notify friends of consistently low emotional states, enabling support from loved ones.

Emotion Sharing

The app facilitates the sharing of Memoji calls or recordings between friends, providing emotional support and reducing stress when low HRV is detected over extended periods.

Stress Relief Activities

Emote’s mobile app includes unguided or guided meditation, timed breaks, and music as stress relief methods, addressing stress management needs in various environments.

Activity Scheduling Tracking

The app helps manage stress with reminders for breaks and scheduling stress relief activities, supporting both public and private stress management.

Memoji

Emote enhances emotional awareness by displaying the user's Memoji on its screen. Users can choose between a live Memoji for real-time facial expression imitation or a static emotional state display, offering a personalized emotional indicator.

Timer

The diffuser reminds the users of scheduled stress relief activities, such as meditation breaks. It also provides suggestions for timed breaks based on historical emotional state data.

Aroma Therapy

The diffuser offers consistent or on-demand aromatherapy, solving the issue of delayed stress relief by allowing users to select an appropriate stress relief method based on their setting. For instance, aromatherapy can be used in public spaces.

Meditation & Music:

Emote addresses stress relief through discreet unguided meditation and music, with options for guided meditation in private settings. This versatility supports stress management in various environments.

Emotional State Display

By using the camera to project a color representing the user's mood on the diffuser’s screen, Emote fosters emotional awareness for both the user and those around them.

HRV Tracking

The mobile app uses a smartwatch to track HRV in real time, enhancing emotional awareness regardless of the user's location.

Emotion State Tracking

Users can update their emotional state in the app, which can also notify friends of consistently low emotional states, enabling support from loved ones.

Emotion Sharing

The app facilitates the sharing of Memoji calls or recordings between friends, providing emotional support and reducing stress when low HRV is detected over extended periods.

Stress Relief Activities

Emote’s mobile app includes unguided or guided meditation, timed breaks, and music as stress relief methods, addressing stress management needs in various environments.

Activity Scheduling Tracking

The app helps manage stress with reminders for breaks and scheduling stress relief activities, supporting both public and private stress management.

Memoji

Emote enhances emotional awareness by displaying the user's Memoji on its screen. Users can choose between a live Memoji for real-time facial expression imitation or a static emotional state display, offering a personalized emotional indicator.

Timer

The diffuser reminds the users of scheduled stress relief activities, such as meditation breaks. It also provides suggestions for timed breaks based on historical emotional state data.

Aroma Therapy

The diffuser offers consistent or on-demand aromatherapy, solving the issue of delayed stress relief by allowing users to select an appropriate stress relief method based on their setting. For instance, aromatherapy can be used in public spaces.

Meditation & Music:

Emote addresses stress relief through discreet unguided meditation and music, with options for guided meditation in private settings. This versatility supports stress management in various environments.

Emotional State Display

By using the camera to project a color representing the user's mood on the diffuser’s screen, Emote fosters emotional awareness for both the user and those around them.

HRV Tracking

The mobile app uses a smartwatch to track HRV in real time, enhancing emotional awareness regardless of the user's location.

Emotion State Tracking

Users can update their emotional state in the app, which can also notify friends of consistently low emotional states, enabling support from loved ones.

Emotion Sharing

The app facilitates the sharing of Memoji calls or recordings between friends, providing emotional support and reducing stress when low HRV is detected over extended periods.

Stress Relief Activities

Emote’s mobile app includes unguided or guided meditation, timed breaks, and music as stress relief methods, addressing stress management needs in various environments.

Activity Scheduling Tracking

The app helps manage stress with reminders for breaks and scheduling stress relief activities, supporting both public and private stress management.

Memoji

Emote enhances emotional awareness by displaying the user's Memoji on its screen. Users can choose between a live Memoji for real-time facial expression imitation or a static emotional state display, offering a personalized emotional indicator.

Timer

The diffuser reminds the users of scheduled stress relief activities, such as meditation breaks. It also provides suggestions for timed breaks based on historical emotional state data.

Aroma Therapy

The diffuser offers consistent or on-demand aromatherapy, solving the issue of delayed stress relief by allowing users to select an appropriate stress relief method based on their setting. For instance, aromatherapy can be used in public spaces.

Meditation & Music:

Emote addresses stress relief through discreet unguided meditation and music, with options for guided meditation in private settings. This versatility supports stress management in various environments.

Emotional State Display

By using the camera to project a color representing the user's mood on the diffuser’s screen, Emote fosters emotional awareness for both the user and those around them.

HRV Tracking

The mobile app uses a smartwatch to track HRV in real time, enhancing emotional awareness regardless of the user's location.

Emotion State Tracking

Users can update their emotional state in the app, which can also notify friends of consistently low emotional states, enabling support from loved ones.

Emotion Sharing

The app facilitates the sharing of Memoji calls or recordings between friends, providing emotional support and reducing stress when low HRV is detected over extended periods.

Stress Relief Activities

Emote’s mobile app includes unguided or guided meditation, timed breaks, and music as stress relief methods, addressing stress management needs in various environments.

Activity Scheduling Tracking

The app helps manage stress with reminders for breaks and scheduling stress relief activities, supporting both public and private stress management.

Memoji

Emote enhances emotional awareness by displaying the user's Memoji on its screen. Users can choose between a live Memoji for real-time facial expression imitation or a static emotional state display, offering a personalized emotional indicator.

Timer

The diffuser reminds the users of scheduled stress relief activities, such as meditation breaks. It also provides suggestions for timed breaks based on historical emotional state data.

Aroma Therapy

The diffuser offers consistent or on-demand aromatherapy, solving the issue of delayed stress relief by allowing users to select an appropriate stress relief method based on their setting. For instance, aromatherapy can be used in public spaces.

Meditation & Music:

Emote addresses stress relief through discreet unguided meditation and music, with options for guided meditation in private settings. This versatility supports stress management in various environments.

Emotional State Display

By using the camera to project a color representing the user's mood on the diffuser’s screen, Emote fosters emotional awareness for both the user and those around them.

HRV Tracking

The mobile app uses a smartwatch to track HRV in real time, enhancing emotional awareness regardless of the user's location.

Emotion State Tracking

Users can update their emotional state in the app, which can also notify friends of consistently low emotional states, enabling support from loved ones.

Emotion Sharing

The app facilitates the sharing of Memoji calls or recordings between friends, providing emotional support and reducing stress when low HRV is detected over extended periods.

Stress Relief Activities

Emote’s mobile app includes unguided or guided meditation, timed breaks, and music as stress relief methods, addressing stress management needs in various environments.

Activity Scheduling Tracking

The app helps manage stress with reminders for breaks and scheduling stress relief activities, supporting both public and private stress management.

Memoji

Emote enhances emotional awareness by displaying the user's Memoji on its screen. Users can choose between a live Memoji for real-time facial expression imitation or a static emotional state display, offering a personalized emotional indicator.

Timer

The diffuser reminds the users of scheduled stress relief activities, such as meditation breaks. It also provides suggestions for timed breaks based on historical emotional state data.

Aroma Therapy

The diffuser offers consistent or on-demand aromatherapy, solving the issue of delayed stress relief by allowing users to select an appropriate stress relief method based on their setting. For instance, aromatherapy can be used in public spaces.

Meditation & Music:

Emote addresses stress relief through discreet unguided meditation and music, with options for guided meditation in private settings. This versatility supports stress management in various environments.

Emotional State Display

By using the camera to project a color representing the user's mood on the diffuser’s screen, Emote fosters emotional awareness for both the user and those around them.

HRV Tracking

The mobile app uses a smartwatch to track HRV in real time, enhancing emotional awareness regardless of the user's location.

Emotion State Tracking

Users can update their emotional state in the app, which can also notify friends of consistently low emotional states, enabling support from loved ones.

Emotion Sharing

The app facilitates the sharing of Memoji calls or recordings between friends, providing emotional support and reducing stress when low HRV is detected over extended periods.

Stress Relief Activities

Emote’s mobile app includes unguided or guided meditation, timed breaks, and music as stress relief methods, addressing stress management needs in various environments.

Activity Scheduling Tracking

The app helps manage stress with reminders for breaks and scheduling stress relief activities, supporting both public and private stress management.

Memoji

Emote enhances emotional awareness by displaying the user's Memoji on its screen. Users can choose between a live Memoji for real-time facial expression imitation or a static emotional state display, offering a personalized emotional indicator.

Timer

The diffuser reminds the users of scheduled stress relief activities, such as meditation breaks. It also provides suggestions for timed breaks based on historical emotional state data.

Aroma Therapy

The diffuser offers consistent or on-demand aromatherapy, solving the issue of delayed stress relief by allowing users to select an appropriate stress relief method based on their setting. For instance, aromatherapy can be used in public spaces.

Meditation & Music:

Emote addresses stress relief through discreet unguided meditation and music, with options for guided meditation in private settings. This versatility supports stress management in various environments.

Emotional State Display

By using the camera to project a color representing the user's mood on the diffuser’s screen, Emote fosters emotional awareness for both the user and those around them.

HRV Tracking

The mobile app uses a smartwatch to track HRV in real time, enhancing emotional awareness regardless of the user's location.

Emotion State Tracking

Users can update their emotional state in the app, which can also notify friends of consistently low emotional states, enabling support from loved ones.

Emotion Sharing

The app facilitates the sharing of Memoji calls or recordings between friends, providing emotional support and reducing stress when low HRV is detected over extended periods.

Stress Relief Activities

Emote’s mobile app includes unguided or guided meditation, timed breaks, and music as stress relief methods, addressing stress management needs in various environments.

Activity Scheduling Tracking

The app helps manage stress with reminders for breaks and scheduling stress relief activities, supporting both public and private stress management.

Product fostered Stakeholder Enthusiasm for Development and Monetization

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.