Role: Researcher, Jr. Designer
June 2022 - Aug 2022
Team: 1 Research Lead, 1 UX Lead, 1 PM, 5 CS Students
Background
SafeLINC was a grant-funded university initiative, developed in partnership with Senior Design CS students, aimed at creating a mobile application specifically tailored for at-risk teens. This application was intended to replace traditional paper safety plans with a digital support network easily accessible via smartphones.
As a research assistant and UI/UX designer on the project, my scope was to conduct focus groups which later informed my designs for UI illustrations and screen states. This project was a 2 month collaboration.
The Problem
Based on qualitative data during focus groups, we discovered that participants felt the UI was "dull" and "lifeless". There was a desire for more color and for the UI to be more "fun". This was especially important given that our participants, were or had been, at-risk for suicide. Participants further noted that users who are dealing with mental health crises need calming and inviting colors.
Solution & Impact
The feedback gained from our participants led to one of my primary contributions to the SafeLINC project — enhancing the visual appeal of the user interface. I designed three dynamic banners in Adobe Illustrator that mirrored different times of the day, changing in real-time.
These banners, were designed using colors inspired by realistic sunrise and sunset photographs and were chosen for their calming and inviting tones.
Result
After this design iteration, we showcased the designs to the previous participants and new participants. The main takeaway was the backgrounds did add more space and color. The general reaction was positive with an improvement in landing page impression. However, the caveat, was these illustrations did not make up for the lacking aesthetics throughout the rest of the application.
Background Research
The research, approved by the University of Central Florida’s IRB, was conducted via two sets of virtual focus groups. Set one interviewed at-risk teens aged 12-17 while set two interviewed mental health professionals such as therapists, social workers, counselors, etc.
Brainstorming
For the SafeLINC project, the focus groups began with a presentation on critical suicide statistics and the potential for innovative technologies to address these issues.
Participants were then encouraged to brainstorm app-based solutions or features they would expect or desire in a hypothetical application. Utilizing Zoom’s whiteboard feature, participants documented their suggestions in real-time.
Demo & Whiteboarding Activity
Following the brainstorming phase of the focus groups, participants tested the latest SafeLINC app prototype. To prioritize unbiased feedback, we kept the app’s association with our study confidential, encouraging participants to provide critical and honest reviews.
Using InVision’s virtual whiteboard, participants were able to annotate directly on the app screens. After this interactive session, we collected their overall impressions on the app’s design and usefulness. This rich feedback proved instrumental in identifying areas for enhancement and further refining the app’s design.
Research
Teen Highlights
Teens expressed a desire for increased color, images, and customization options within the app, including the ability to select calming colors like blue or purple and to create personalized themes.
Participants recommended expanding the app’s resources to include features such as breathing exercises, mood tracking, calming music, informative blogs, and group support options.
The app’s note and journaling functionalities caused confusion among teens, who were uncertain about the distinctions and appropriate uses of each feature.
While the daily check-in feature was well-received, some teens voiced concerns that it might become monotonous over time.
Feedback on the app’s name suggested steering clear of potentially alarming or triggering terms, such as “suicide” or “crisis,” to ensure it remains approachable and discreet.
Therapist Highlights
Therapists expressed concerns regarding their legal responsibilities when engaging with clients through the app, especially in crisis situations.
There was also confusion among therapists about the distinctions between the notes and journal features within the app.
Therapists recommended renaming certain features for clarity and relevance, suggesting “Major Life Events” be changed to “Major Life Stressors” and “Daily Stressors” to “Warning Signs.”
Inconsistencies in feature terminology were noted by therapists, particularly with options like “Invite Parent” and “Add Person” on the support page, highlighting a need for more uniform language.
Outcome & Reflection
Working on the SafeLINC project was an enriching experience that provided invaluable research exposure and fostered close collaboration with fellow designers and developers. During this project, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of sensitivity and empathy in research, especially when interacting with participants coming from difficult and diverse backgrounds. From a UX perspective, the principal of iterative design was continually reinforced as we learned from our participants. The application earned the ‘Best in Show’ award at UCF’s Senior Design panel, which has inspired further development of the project.