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[Case 02]

Daily Flow - Mental health focused scheduling

Understanding Mental Wellbeing Through Social Media Interactions

Interaction Design Studio (DECO 2200) - The University of Sydney

[Project Overview]

DailyFlow is a collaborative scheduling app designed to optimize students' study-life balance and enhance their mental well-being. It allows users' to collaboratively build and share schedules, while providing de-stressing tools and activities to improve their mental wellbeing. Apart from this, Dailyflow also provides insights into users' current schedules and utilises an AI model to optimise students schedules based on their current study/life commitments. Ultimately, we aimed to create a solution that empowered university students to avoid disruptive lifestyle choices and to lead a more balanced, stressfree lifestyle.

[My Role]

UX/UI Designer, UX Researcher

[Timeline]

August 2023 - November 2023

[Tools]

Figma, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Miro

[The Problem]

University students often face increased stress and reduced mental well-being.

As a university student, I’ve noticed how myself and many of my peers often took our academic pursuits as the sole priority and ignored other aspects of our life, leading to a very unbalanced, unsustainable, and ultimately stressful lifestyle.

[The Solution]

Self-organisation is the key
[Feature 1 - Scheduling]

Allows students to look at their daily schedule and visualize the priority of individual events at a glance.

Students can easily add new events to their calendar.

[Feature 1 - Scheduling]

Allows students to look at their daily schedule and visualize the priority of individual events at a glance.

Students can easily add new events to their calendar.

[Feature 1 - Scheduling]

Allows students to look at their daily schedule and visualize the priority of individual events at a glance.

Students can easily add new events to their calendar.

[Feature 2 - Lifestyle Insights]

Provides students with a visual breakdown of different aspects of their schedule.

Provides students with a visual breakdown of different aspects of their schedule.

Provides students with insights into their current calendar to nudge positive lifestyle habits.

[Feature 2 - Lifestyle Insights]

Provides students with a visual breakdown of different aspects of their schedule.

Provides students with a visual breakdown of different aspects of their schedule.

Provides students with insights into their current calendar to nudge positive lifestyle habits.

[Feature 2 - Lifestyle Insights]

Provides students with a visual breakdown of different aspects of their schedule.

Provides students with a visual breakdown of different aspects of their schedule.

Provides students with insights into their current calendar to nudge positive lifestyle habits.

[Feature 3 - Managing Stress]

Allows students to connect to their smartwatch to monitor stress levels.

Provides de-stressing tools for student well-being based on stress assessment.

[Feature 3 - Managing Stress]

Allows students to connect to their smartwatch to monitor stress levels.

Provides de-stressing tools for student well-being based on stress assessment.

[Feature 3 - Managing Stress]

Allows students to connect to their smartwatch to monitor stress levels.

Provides de-stressing tools for student well-being based on stress assessment.

[Feature 4 - Fostering Accountability]

Allows students to post inquiries, and also search up existing inquiries.

Serves as a platform where students can support each other in staying accountable in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Connects to a profile page where students can keep track of their post activity.

[Our Approach]

[Research]

Our research could be divided into primary and secondary research, where secondary research included white paper research and competitive analysis to understand the problem space and existing solutions.

Our primary research triangulation included questionnaires, user interviews, and dairy studies. All of this data was then synthesized by conducting a thematic analysis, which helped in persona development, storyboards, and developing our design ideas.

[White paper research]

A way to lead a balanced, stress free lifestyle…

"A balanced lifestyle is crucial for maintaining good mental health and reducing stress (Lobo, 2006)."

"A balanced lifestyle is crucial for maintaining good mental health and reducing stress (Lobo, 2006)."
[Context]

People lead an unbalanced lifestyle due to work commitments and no social support.

People lead an unbalanced lifestyle due to work commitments and no social support.

Another exacerbating factor was the lack of awareness regarding the impact of leading an unbalanced lifestyle (Walsh, 2011).

[Context]

People lead an unbalanced lifestyle due to work commitments and no social support.

People lead an unbalanced lifestyle due to work commitments and no social support.

Another exacerbating factor was the lack of awareness regarding the impact of leading an unbalanced lifestyle (Walsh, 2011).

[Context]

People lead an unbalanced lifestyle due to work commitments and no social support.

People lead an unbalanced lifestyle due to work commitments and no social support.

Another exacerbating factor was the lack of awareness regarding the impact of leading an unbalanced lifestyle (Walsh, 2011).

[Demographic]

Target demographic : 18 - 25 year olds (University students)

Target demographic : 18 - 25 year olds (University students)

The need to balance academic demands, personal life, and work responsibilities are the main contributors to student burnout (Lawton, 2019).

[Demographic]

Target demographic : 18 - 25 year olds (University students)

Target demographic : 18 - 25 year olds (University students)

The need to balance academic demands, personal life, and work responsibilities are the main contributors to student burnout (Lawton, 2019).

[Demographic]

Target demographic : 18 - 25 year olds (University students)

Target demographic : 18 - 25 year olds (University students)

The need to balance academic demands, personal life, and work responsibilities are the main contributors to student burnout (Lawton, 2019).

[Competitor Analysis + The gap]

None of the competition had integrated habit tracking and wellbeing tools.

While keeping the above research in mind, we analyzed the three most popular apps surrounding the schedule management space. We found that very few apps focused on goal setting, and none of them integrated habit tracking and wellbeing tools.

While keeping the above research in mind, we analyzed the three most popular apps surrounding the schedule management space. We found that very few apps focused on goal setting, and none of them integrated habit tracking and wellbeing tools.

This indicated a big gap in the market and highlighted the need for a centralized application that allows students to manage their schedule and also de-stress.

This indicated a big gap in the market and highlighted the need for a centralized application that allows students to manage their schedule and also de-stress.

[Problem statement]

Once we had an initial understanding of our problem space, we developed a problem statement and made sure that the statement was broad enough to allow for exploration. This served as the starting point for our primary research.

Once we had an initial understanding of our problem space, we developed a problem statement and made sure that the statement was broad enough to allow for exploration. This served as the starting point for our primary research.

[Online surveys]

75% of our respondents admitted to not having a good study/life balance.

We started our primary research with online questionnaires to collect quantitative data exploring the study/life balance, and stress levels amongst university students. We received 40 responses.

We started our primary research with online questionnaires to collect quantitative data exploring the study/life balance, and stress levels amongst university students. We received 40 responses.

This indicated a big gap in the market and highlighted the need for a centralized application that allows students to manage their schedule and also de-stress.

This indicated a big gap in the market and highlighted the need for a centralized application that allows students to manage their schedule and also de-stress.

[User interviews]

A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted, involving Australian university students. This was done to obtain context-specific insights (Flick et al., 2004). The interviews helped us validate our survey findings, explore daily routines of university students, and probe deeper into the effectiveness of current scheduling tools.

A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted, involving Australian university students. This was done to obtain context-specific insights (Flick et al., 2004). The interviews helped us validate our survey findings, explore daily routines of university students, and probe deeper into the effectiveness of current scheduling tools.

A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted, involving Australian university students. This was done to obtain context-specific insights (Flick et al., 2004). The interviews helped us validate our survey findings, explore daily routines of university students, and probe deeper into the effectiveness of current scheduling tools.

[Dairy studies]

Dairy studies allowed us to compare lifestyles between full-time employees and university students. By encouraging participants to record their daily experiences "in the wild," we were able to closely examine their daily routines, explore the leisure activities they engage in, and also their work or study commitments.

Dairy studies allowed us to compare lifestyles between full-time employees and university students. By encouraging participants to record their daily experiences "in the wild," we were able to closely examine their daily routines, explore the leisure activities they engage in, and also their work or study commitments.

Dairy studies allowed us to compare lifestyles between full-time employees and university students. By encouraging participants to record their daily experiences "in the wild," we were able to closely examine their daily routines, explore the leisure activities they engage in, and also their work or study commitments.

[Summary of findings from interviews and dairy studies]

Workload intimidation and unbalanced lifestyle are the leading causes of mental health issues.

[Data synthesis]

We conducted a thematic analysis to synthesize our findings from the questionnaires, interviews, and diary studies. A bottom up analysis of the data was done to identify trends that appeared from similar clusters of data.

We conducted a thematic analysis to synthesize our findings from the questionnaires, interviews, and diary studies. A bottom up analysis of the data was done to identify trends that appeared from similar clusters of data.

[Insights]

Following our thematic analysis, we identified four core themes within our data. These themes were subsequently converted into actionable insights, with each insight addressing a specific research question.

Following our thematic analysis, we identified four core themes within our data. These themes were subsequently converted into actionable insights, with each insight addressing a specific research question.
Direct correlation between level of self organization and mental health.

[Refining the problem]

After synthesizing our findings and converting them into insights, We revised our initial problem statement to better align with the problem area (Schicker, 2022).

After synthesizing our findings and converting them into insights, We revised our initial problem statement to better align with the problem area (Schicker, 2022).

[Personas & storyboards]

Our research findings were condensed into 3 different personas, each persona representing a university student with varying study/life balances and tolerance to stress.

We also created storyboards for each persona to visually communicate how they would navigate a "day in their life". This allowed for a deeper understanding of the different situations, feelings, and contexts our target demographic would engage with (Van Der Lelie, 2005).

Our research findings were condensed into 3 different personas, each persona representing a university student with varying study/life balances and tolerance to stress.
We also created storyboards for each persona to visually communicate how they would navigate a "day in their life". This allowed for a deeper understanding of the different situations, feelings, and contexts our target demographic would engage with (Van Der Lelie, 2005).

[Concept ideation]

Once we refined our scope and analyzed our data, we started to ideate design solutions that collectively addressed our research findings and gaps found through secondary/market research. We came up with three divergent design ideas that tackled our problem space.

Once we refined our scope and analyzed our data, we started to ideate design solutions that collectively addressed our research findings and gaps found through secondary/market research. We came up with three divergent design ideas that tackled our problem space.
[Design idea 1]

Smartwatch and app based concept.

Smartwatch and app based concept.

Schedule and stress management.

[Design idea 1]

Smartwatch and app based concept.

Smartwatch and app based concept.

Schedule and stress management.

[Design idea 1]

Smartwatch and app based concept.

Smartwatch and app based concept.

Schedule and stress management.

[Design idea 2]

Interactive whiteboard and app.

Interactive whiteboard and app.

Focused on collaborative scheduling.

[Design idea 2]

Interactive whiteboard and app.

Interactive whiteboard and app.

Focused on collaborative scheduling.

[Design idea 2]

Interactive whiteboard and app.

Interactive whiteboard and app.

Focused on collaborative scheduling.

[Design idea 3]

AI based scheduling app.

AI based scheduling app.

Well-being tool integration and event sharing capabilities.

[Design idea 3]

AI based scheduling app.

AI based scheduling app.

Well-being tool integration and event sharing capabilities.

[Design idea 3]

AI based scheduling app.

AI based scheduling app.

Well-being tool integration and event sharing capabilities.

[Decision matrix]

Evaluating our concepts

We used a decision matrix to evaluate our design concepts. The criteria for this decision matrix was determined based on our target audiences, and research findings from our analysis. We also considered multimodality, social interactions, and the 3 Cs (Coordination, Collaboration, Communication).

We used a decision matrix to evaluate our design concepts. The criteria for this decision matrix was determined based on our target audiences, and research findings from our analysis. We also considered multimodality, social interactions, and the 3 Cs (Coordination, Collaboration, Communication).

We decided to focus on Design Idea 3 as it was the most well-rounded and consistent, scoring high in the 4-5 range across all criteria. However, it didn’t perform well in the collaboration category. To address this, we incorporated the collaborative scheduling feature from Design Idea 2, resulting in a final concept that was both comprehensive and aligned with all our research findings.

We decided to focus on Design Idea 3 as it was the most well-rounded and consistent, scoring high in the 4-5 range across all criteria. However, it didn’t perform well in the collaboration category. To address this, we incorporated the collaborative scheduling feature from Design Idea 2, resulting in a final concept that was both comprehensive and aligned with all our research findings.

[Solution]

The omni-channel solution
[Mobile app]

A self-organization tool that helps university students balance their study and personal life schedules. Provides de-stressing tools, assesses study-life balance, and includes a community forum to foster accountability and motivation.

[Mobile app]

A self-organization tool that helps university students balance their study and personal life schedules. Provides de-stressing tools, assesses study-life balance, and includes a community forum to foster accountability and motivation.

[Mobile app]

A self-organization tool that helps university students balance their study and personal life schedules. Provides de-stressing tools, assesses study-life balance, and includes a community forum to foster accountability and motivation.

[Desktop app]

Users are able to create and share events on desktop and tablet devices, allowing them to manage events on larger screens. Another added functionality is the ability for users to manually write or draw event descriptions using a stylus, catering to those who prefer a more tangible approach to self-organization.

[Desktop app]

Users are able to create and share events on desktop and tablet devices, allowing them to manage events on larger screens. Another added functionality is the ability for users to manually write or draw event descriptions using a stylus, catering to those who prefer a more tangible approach to self-organization.

[Desktop app]

Users are able to create and share events on desktop and tablet devices, allowing them to manage events on larger screens. Another added functionality is the ability for users to manually write or draw event descriptions using a stylus, catering to those who prefer a more tangible approach to self-organization.

[Smartwatch integration]

Users are able to connect to a smartwatch through our app and measure their stress levels. Our app then provides de-stressing tools and general well-being insights.

[Smartwatch integration]

Users are able to connect to a smartwatch through our app and measure their stress levels. Our app then provides de-stressing tools and general well-being insights.

[Smartwatch integration]

Users are able to connect to a smartwatch through our app and measure their stress levels. Our app then provides de-stressing tools and general well-being insights.

[Sketching and wireframing]

After finalizing our design concept, We sketched out our prototypes which were then converted into low fidelity static wireframes. High-fidelity mockups and prototypes were developed in later iterations; and subsequently tested at every stage.

After finalizing our design concept, We sketched out our prototypes which were then converted into low fidelity static wireframes. High-fidelity mockups and prototypes were developed in later iterations; and subsequently tested at every stage.

[Testing + Improvements]

Once we iterated upon our initial sketches and designed wireframes, we started to test the usability of our wireframes through user-testing. Using a mix of 'Expert' and 'User' testing methods allowed us to leverage the expertise of peers to assess design principles while also incorporating feedback from actual users.

Once we iterated upon our initial sketches and designed wireframes, we started to test the usability of our wireframes through user-testing. Using a mix of 'Expert' and 'User' testing methods allowed us to leverage the expertise of peers to assess design principles while also incorporating feedback from actual users.

Once we iterated upon our initial sketches and designed wireframes, we started to test the usability of our wireframes through user-testing. Using a mix of 'Expert' and 'User' testing methods allowed us to leverage the expertise of peers to assess design principles while also incorporating feedback from actual users.

[Iteration 2]

Pain points from user testing are quoted below along with the issue and solution implemented (Note - Only major changes between iterations are shown below).

Pain points from user testing are quoted below along with the issue and solution implemented (Note - Only major changes between iterations are shown below).
✨

Connect to Content

Add layers or components to swipe between.

Testing method

Cognitive Walkthroughs - 3 sessions.

Think Aloud Protocol & SUS Survey - 6 sessions.

6 tasks to be completed.

[Key findings]

Improve button size and placement for better visibility.

Include visual indicators to inform users of the function of less obvious features.

Place relevant options closer to each other for better discoverability.

Have multiple options to navigate to the same result for convenience.

Simpler options and functions are better understood as they give the user less to think about.

[Iteration 3]

Testing method

Heuristic Evaluation - 3 expert testing sessions .

6 experts in total (3 sessions - 2 features each).

Average time per session - 1h 40m.

[Key findings]

Added an info icon next to collaborate/personal tabs.

Users found the wellbeing page to be un-engaging.

Included an onboarding screen explaining locking events.

Simplified the layout of the community page to avoid information overload.

Changed font sizes and iconography to fit industry standards.

[Iteration 4]

Testing method

Think Aloud Protocol + Loop 11

Tested by 17 users

Average time per session : 11 minutes.

All sessions were monitored and conducted remotely.

[Key findings]

Made intended features more obvious - had consistent visual hierarchy to improve legibility.

Included infographics and icons where required for greater user engagement and comprehension.

[High-fidelity re-design]

Testing and improvements on our project originally ended here but after some self-reflection, I realized there were areas of the UI that could be enhanced. The UI at this stage felt unengaging in some areas and did not feel modern.

With a strong desire to elevate the aesthetic and make it more visually appealing and modern, I started redesigning the interface based on feedback gathered from peers in my cohort using a Think Aloud Protocol.

Testing and improvements on our project originally ended here but after some self-reflection, I realized there were areas of the UI that could be enhanced. The UI at this stage felt unengaging in some areas and did not feel modern.
With a strong desire to elevate the aesthetic and make it more visually appealing and modern, I started redesigning the interface based on feedback gathered from peers in my cohort using a Think Aloud Protocol.

[Iteration 5]

Testing method

Think Aloud Protocol

Tested with 6 users.

[Key findings]

Improved color palette to be more inviting and visually appealing.

Included icons and descriptors where necessary.

Improved the general aesthetics of the UI to be more modern and visually appealing.

[Final screens]

[Key Learnings]

Design is iterative

Participating in this project provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the iterative design process. Through multiple cycles of ideation, prototyping, testing, and refining, I gained insight into how design solutions evolve over time. This iterative approach allowed us to incorporate user feedback iteratively, ensuring that our final design met user needs effectively.

Design is iterative

Participating in this project provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the iterative design process. Through multiple cycles of ideation, prototyping, testing, and refining, I gained insight into how design solutions evolve over time. This iterative approach allowed us to incorporate user feedback iteratively, ensuring that our final design met user needs effectively.

Design is iterative

Participating in this project provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the iterative design process. Through multiple cycles of ideation, prototyping, testing, and refining, I gained insight into how design solutions evolve over time. This iterative approach allowed us to incorporate user feedback iteratively, ensuring that our final design met user needs effectively.

Technical proficiency across different prototyping software is important

Transitioning from Adobe XD to Figma posed a learning curve initially, but I quickly adapted to Figma's layout and tools. However, overlooking key considerations such as including components in our prototype proved to be a significant mistake as it resulted in making a lot of the same changes across different screens.

Technical proficiency

Transitioning from Adobe XD to Figma posed a learning curve initially, but I quickly adapted to Figma's layout and tools. However, overlooking key considerations such as including components in our prototype proved to be a significant mistake as it resulted in making a lot of the same changes across different screens.

Technical proficiency across different prototyping software is important

Transitioning from Adobe XD to Figma posed a learning curve initially, but I quickly adapted to Figma's layout and tools. However, overlooking key considerations such as including components in our prototype proved to be a significant mistake as it resulted in making a lot of the same changes across different screens.

[Future work]

Expand on omni-channel interactions

We could not fully flesh out the features on our web app due to time constraints. Improving the functionalities of our web app to enhance the omni-channel experience for users would ensure consistency and continuity in user interactions regardless of the channel they choose to engage with.

Expand omni-channel

We could not fully flesh out the features on our web app due to time constraints. Improving the functionalities of our web app to enhance the omni-channel experience for users would ensure consistency and continuity in user interactions regardless of the channel they choose to engage with.

Expand on omni-channel interactions

We could not fully flesh out the features on our web app due to time constraints. Improving the functionalities of our web app to enhance the omni-channel experience for users would ensure consistency and continuity in user interactions regardless of the channel they choose to engage with.