MindKit

MindKit

Individual project: designed for local communities to access mental health services easily.

My Role

My Role

UX designer

UX researcher

Timeline

Timeline

01/2023 - 03/2023

01/2023 - 03/2023

Scope

Scope

UX Design

UX Research

Mobile Design

Information architecture

Mental healthcare

UX Design

UX Research

Mobile Design

Information architecture

Mental healthcare

The Challenge.

The Challenge.

Navigating NYC's mental health services can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Many struggle to locate affordable and appropriate resources, leaving them without proper care. While online tools aid in therapist searches, they don't cover all options, leading to mismatches between people in need and the right support.

Navigating NYC's mental health services can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Many struggle to locate affordable and appropriate resources, leaving them without proper care. While online tools aid in therapist searches, they don't cover all options, leading to mismatches between people in need and the right support.

How might we design a solution to help local citizens effectively find, evaluate, and access mental health resources?

How might we design a solution to help local citizens effectively find, evaluate, and access mental health resources?

The Outcome. ✨

The Outcome. ✨

  • I created a mobile app for community members to easily find, evaluate, and access mental health services that match their specific needs through different ways of searching.

  • I created a mobile app for community members to easily find, evaluate, and access mental health services that match their specific needs through different ways of searching.

  • The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for MindKit stands at 50, as reported by potential users who participated in our survey.

  • The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for MindKit stands at 50, as reported by potential users who participated in our survey.

  • The feedback received from potential users overwhelmingly reflects a strong positive sentiment towards MindKit.

  • The feedback received from potential users overwhelmingly reflects a strong positive sentiment towards MindKit.

CONTEXT

"I've been feeling pretty down for a long time, and nothing I do to relax seems to help much."

"I've been feeling pretty down for a long time, and nothing I do to relax seems to help much."

This scenario is all too familiar for many of us, especially in today's fast-paced world. As a resident of bustling and competitive NYC, I've noticed significant investments in mental health services each year. This growing commitment piqued my curiosity about the challenges we face. Upon reviewing governmental reports, I was shocked by the data I found.

This scenario is all too familiar for many of us, especially in today's fast-paced world. As a resident of bustling and competitive NYC, I've noticed significant investments in mental health services each year. This growing commitment piqued my curiosity about the challenges we face. Upon reviewing governmental reports, I was shocked by the data I found.

RESEARCH - target groups

Talking to real people:

Lack of knowledge about available services is a key factor.

Talking to real people:

Lack of knowledge about available services is a key factor.

5 Interviews & Offline survey with 16 responses

Based on the government paper's findings, I sought to understand why these individuals struggle to access appropriate care. Engaging directly with users could shed light on this issue. While users vary in their mental health awareness, they universally lack information about available support.

5 Interviews & Offline survey with 16 responses

Based on the government paper's findings, I sought to understand why these individuals struggle to access appropriate care. Engaging directly with users could shed light on this issue. While users vary in their mental health awareness, they universally lack information about available support.

RESEARCH - insights

Clarify why and who I'm designing for

While synthesizing the findings, I identified common complaints and concerns among participants. Using an empathy map, I defined 3 main personas for the target audience, clarifying the design focus. Lily's user journey revealed challenges in finding, evaluating, and accessing help.

REFINE THE PROBLEM

How might we design a solution to help local citizens effectively find, evaluate, and access mental health resources?

How might we design a solution to help local citizens effectively find, evaluate, and access mental health resources?

CONCEPTUALIZE - design goals

What does it mean to be more "effective"?

What does it mean to be more "effective"?

Now that I've reframed the problem, how can I streamline users' searching process? Given the diverse range of users in terms of age, digital literacy, background, and financial status, I identified 3 user goals and brainstormed how these goals could be achieved.

Now that I've reframed the problem, how can I streamline users' searching process? Given the diverse range of users in terms of age, digital literacy, background, and financial status, I identified 3 user goals and brainstormed how these goals could be achieved.

IDEATE - design explorations

Which features will support the design goals?

With a clear understanding of the design goals, I considered how to achieve them and which features could facilitate that process.


Using an affinity mapping exercise, I brainstormed and grouped features into broader phases: find, evaluate, and access. This allowed me to evaluate each idea and prioritize the most essential features aligned with the 3 goals.

With a clear understanding of the design goals, I considered how to achieve them and which features could facilitate that process.


Using an affinity mapping exercise, I brainstormed and grouped features into broader phases: find, evaluate, and access. This allowed me to evaluate each idea and prioritize the most essential features aligned with the 3 goals.

DESIGN - Information architecture

How should users search?

How should users search?

I started drafting the most important user flow for searching next.

As users with varying needs should have the flexibility to search using methods tailored to their goals, I devised three customized search options for them to choose from, aligning the flow design with my goal of being "INCLUSIVE".

I started drafting the most important user flow for searching next.

As users with varying needs should have the flexibility to search using methods tailored to their goals, I devised three customized search options for them to choose from, aligning the flow design with my goal of being "INCLUSIVE".

ITERATIONS

Did the 1st wireframe work efficiently?

Not really, let's make some changes.

Did the 1st wireframe work efficiently?

Not really, let's make some changes.

I created the initial wireflows for the search flow, based on the sitemap, and tested them with 5 potential users through one-on-one interviews. The feedback was not very positive, indicating a need for revisions.


The 2nd iteration was revised based on the 3 design goals I proposed, Inclusive, clear, and fast.

I created the initial wireflows for the search flow, based on the sitemap, and tested them with 5 potential users through one-on-one interviews. The feedback was not very positive, indicating a need for revisions.


The 2nd iteration was revised based on the 3 design goals I proposed, Inclusive, clear, and fast.

FINAL DESIGN

1/4 ways to Find: with keywords

1/4 ways to Find: with keywords

  • If users already got something in mind, they can go directly to the search bar and type in any keywords they are looking for.

  • Users can access the guided search option under the "Help" section if they are unsure of where to start.

  • If users already got something in mind, they can go directly to the search bar and type in any keywords they are looking for.

  • Users can access the guided search option under the "Help" section if they are unsure of where to start.

2/4 ways to Find: through a 4-step guide

2/4 ways to Find: through a 4-step guide

  • If users are not sure about what kinds of services are there and what they need, they can follow the guided search.

  • After going through the 4 steps, service types, problems, location, and visit time have been set automatically.

  • If users are not sure about what kinds of services are there and what they need, they can follow the guided search.

  • After going through the 4 steps, service types, problems, location, and visit time have been set automatically.

3/4 ways to Find: by checking categories

3/4 ways to Find: by checking categories

  • ​Browsing available resources by categories allows users to explore more options.

4/4 ways to Find: the best matches with filters

4/4 ways to Find: the best matches with filters

  • ​Users are able to adjust all filters on the results page.

  • Showing the number of selected filters provides users with enhanced control over their search.

  • ​Users are able to adjust all filters on the results page.

  • Showing the number of selected filters provides users with enhanced control over their search.

FINAL DESIGN

Evaluate services with all the info you need to know.

Evaluate services with all the info you need to know.

  • Users face challenges due to a lack of information about mental health resources and concerns about service quality. To address this, I researched official websites and Reddit mental health community to identify the key topics and details users are seeking.

  • I then organized this information into clearly divided sections on the service detail page, making it easier for users to quickly find and understand the service details.

FINAL DESIGN

Access with confidence

Access with confidence

FINAL DESIGN

Easy onboarding

Easy onboarding

FINAL DESIGN

Colors and fonts

Colors and fonts

I use the dark blue and bright orange as the secondary and accent colors for Mindkit, providing both a cozy and professional vibe. The design of all cards and buttons were checked to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA conformance.

TEST

"It's pretty straight forward!"

"It's pretty straight forward!"

The prototypes were tested with the 3 potential users who have participated in testing before. Tasks were assigned to them and I collected their behaviors, questions, and interactions during the testing. All participants were able to complete assigned tasks with little friction!

ACHIEVEMENTS

50 NPS Score,  with 7/12 Promoters who are willing to recommend!

After the changes were made, I posted the link to the finalized prototypes on Reddit in online communities to collect feedback. Out of the 12 participants, 11 were interested in the proposal, and 7 of them indicated that they would recommend the product if it were to be released.

After the changes were made, I posted the link to the finalized prototypes on Reddit in online communities to collect feedback. Out of the 12 participants, 11 were interested in the proposal, and 7 of them indicated that they would recommend the product if it were to be released.

LOOKING FORWARD

More User Testing

As the user group is very diverse, more user testing needs to be done to make sure MindKit does satisfy users' needs and help them achieve their goals with ease.

As the user group is very diverse, more user testing needs to be done to make sure MindKit does satisfy users' needs and help them achieve their goals with ease.

Accessibility options

For accessibility considerations, this project should explore on dark mode and responsive website design for users who do not have access to mobiles.

For accessibility considerations, this project should explore on dark mode and responsive website design for users who do not have access to mobiles.

Research and design the personal medical care profile

As a mental health services assistive app, MindKit must allow users to create their own medical

care profile, uploading insurance information, and medical history. It is essential to research more

on the protection of data and privacy.

As a mental health services assistive app, MindKit must allow users to create their own medical

care profile, uploading insurance information, and medical history. It is essential to research more

on the protection of data and privacy.

REFLECTIONS

Mobile-first Philosophy

MindKit was developed with a mobile-first philosophy at the forefront, which allowed me to leverage the unique capabilities of mobile devices to optimize functionality and user experience. Through this process, I gained a deeper understanding of how to design with the user in mind and identify features that can have a greater impact on mobile devices, such as emergency contacts.


Moving forward, I will continue to explore the potential of targeted devices and prioritize user scenarios and needs to deliver more impactful and effective designs. By staying focused on the user and utilizing the latest design techniques and technologies, I am confident in my ability to create products that truly enhance people's lives.

MindKit was developed with a mobile-first philosophy at the forefront, which allowed me to leverage the unique capabilities of mobile devices to optimize functionality and user experience. Through this process, I gained a deeper understanding of how to design with the user in mind and identify features that can have a greater impact on mobile devices, such as emergency contacts.


Moving forward, I will continue to explore the potential of targeted devices and prioritize user scenarios and needs to deliver more impactful and effective designs. By staying focused on the user and utilizing the latest design techniques and technologies, I am confident in my ability to create products that truly enhance people's lives.

Let’s connect

Let’s connect

Get in touch for opportunities or just say hi!

Get in touch for opportunities or just say hi!

yanlinli2022@gmail.com

yanlinli2022@gmail.com