Project Scope: October 2017 - October 2018
Roles: UX Research, UI Design, Usability Testing
Project Type: School Project, Personal
Tools: Paper, Pencil, Figma, Adobe Illustrator
Introduction
The idea for Tribe came along 4 years ago when a friend was going through a difficult time with her mental health. Alone, and stubborn in her insistence that she didn’t need any professional or even peer support, I watched as she fell deeper into a sense of helplessness and isolation.
Fast forward 6 months, and I was assigned a class project to create and prototype an app of my choosing. I spent a few days mulling over what to create, but no real ideas came to my mind. But about a week into my brainstorming session, I ended up talking with this same friend and quickly saw how desperately she needed some form of help, so I suggested she at least go join a support group on campus but was hesitant for two reasons. 1: the fear of stigma due to others at school knowing about her struggles, and 2: insisting that her struggles were very unique and weren’t generally topics of discussion within college support groups.
It was then I had the idea for my app. A massive pain point in the mental health world is accessibility and ease of entry into getting help; in fact, the act of simply beginning the process of reaching out for help is arguably the greatest hurdle in the healing process. So, my idea was to create an app that facilitated virtual video based support groups. The benefits of this are exhaustive (allows for a decrease in perceived stigma, a large pool of members therefor more topics of discussion, ease of entry, etc.)
So, I created Tribe.
The Icon
Before going any further, I would just like to show you the icon I designed for this app.
The one on top is the app icon itself. The one on the bottom is what users see on the login/signup landing page. The latter shows two hands melding together around a globe, symbolic of the communities Tribe offers.
The Challenge
Create an app that allows its users to find virtual video support groups for almost any mental health topic. As well, this app must offer recourses in addition to support groups that gives its users necessary tools to manage their mental health.
Design Process
Empathize - User Interviews
Define - User Persona, Defining problems (Problem — Need — Point of View — How Might We…?
Ideate - Sketch, User flow
Build - Prototype
Test - Usability Testing, Final UI Screens
Research
User Interviews
I began by seeking out members of my community to get some ideas about what this app should consist of. To start, I contacted the Peer Support Network at UBC (a student run support group) to get their input on what they would want to see in such an app. In addition, I talked to a clinical psychologist (one of my professors) to get their point of view based on clients they’ve seen.
I interviewed a total of 9 people (will keep them anonymous). Here are a few of their notable quotes:
Define
Personas
After interviewing members of my community, I decided the next best step would be to create a user persona. This helped me create a general outline for who a common potential user would be — the first step in creating a design that reflect the users needs.
Ideate
Users POV
Point of view = User+Needs+Insights.
By beginning my ideation process from the users POV, I am able to set goals that exactly match the users needs. To begin I start with the “How Might We…?” table below.
“How Might We…?”
Brainstorming Possible Solutions
User Flow
Sketch
There were 5 pages of sketches, but here is an example of just one of those. It includes all pages under the “Meetings”.
Build
Final Prototype
Choose your communities and topics of interest
Choose your community of individuals going through similar challenges. Then, as everybody has specific struggles within each community, narrow your discussions by choosing particular topics of interest. Users can propose any topic they like!
Easily find a meeting that suits your needs
Curated meetings based on your interests, search for your own meetings based on categorical needs, and even set up your own for others to join
Speaker centered with room for all users.
Option to blur your face – if anonymity is a need, this feature provides that.
A speaker oriented video layout so when a user speaks, people listen.
Horizontal scroll to see all users, with the ability to reveal profiles of all users at once.
Hide buttons to maximize screen space, and bezels between each user for a clean, compartmentalized feel.
Reach thousands like you
Choose a topic of interest and reach out with thoughts, advice, questions, support. Every member of that community can read and respond. Like it, rate it as helpful, or even offer validation by clicking “Not Alone”.
Find specific people you relate with
Add friends to talk to 1 on 1. Tribe suggests friends or simply add them after getting to know each other during a meeting.
Keep in touch with those you’re closest with
Send direct messages back and fourth with friends you’ve made around the country, or even the world.
Listen to talks and join workshops
On Tribe there are talks given by industry leading professionals and workshops led by mental health professionals. These are meant to offer users concepts and practical tools to help them help themselves. As these professionals are pulled from all around the country (or even the world), users get top notch advice otherwise beyond their geographical reach.
Set up a custom profile
Tailor your profile by answering questions that tell users who you really are. Talk about your goals, why you chose Tribe, where you hope to be in the future, and much more.
The details you need
Get all the details you want in a clear, concise, yet detailed manner. This makes deciding whether to join a meeting, event or workshop an easy process
Organize your time
This in app calendar helps the user organize their meetings, talks, and workshops. Each registration automatically inputs the information onto this calendar, making it simpler for the user not to forget.
High Fidelity Prototype
Usability Testing/Reflections
Usability Testing
I asked my 6 of my previous interviewees to test the final high fidelity prototype. I asked them 4 questions:
1.) Does the app offer you enough recourses to satisfy your needs?
2.) Is the app easy to navigate and offer an overall intuitive experience?
3.) Do you believe this app could help individuals like yourself?
4.) Could you see yourself actually using this app on a regular basis?
The Results
6/6 participant reported that the app offered the recourses that satisfied their original needs
5/6 participants reported that the app was simple to navigate and offered an intuitive experience
6/6 reported that the app would be helpful for individuals struggling with their mental health
5/6 reported that they themselves would use this sort of app
Reflections
This project was a proud accomplishment. Many hours went into the creation process, and there were a multitude of adjustments along the way, but I feel that no shortcuts were taken.
When I first created this prototype I showed it to one of my psychology professors (also clinical psychologist) and, seeing the potential in it, encouraged me to develop it. I teamed up with a programer at UBC and began the process but ultimately time and finances stopped the progress.
But now, with COVID 19, I have resurfaced this app as I know it could be so indispensable for our current global circumstance. Therefor, I am currently in conversation with the same programer discussing how we could work towards full development. I will keep this page updated as more progress is made.
If I were to redo this project there are a few things that I would do differently. For instance, during the research process I wish I had created a survey in addition to the user interviews– more input amounts to an app that truly reflected all users needs. In addition, it would have been beneficial to connect with a developer earlier as that would have increased the likelihood of currently having a working app