Challenge
In today's hectic world, people face mounting stressors that can take a toll on mental well-being. Existing solutions are often time-consuming and inaccessible when needed, leaving a gap in addressing immediate and short-term emotional needs. This demands a practical and user-friendly approach to manage negative emotions effectively.
My goal was to create an artefact - a compassionate tool designed to swiftly tackle pessimistic emotions and bolster cognitive skills. With exercises tailored for quick relief and the serene repetition of the "Om" mantra for sustained mental health, Halt provides both immediate and enduring solutions.
Research
To help in define the user needs and values of the users’ in-app behaviour these personas were important to personifying user scenarios, thereby aiding in the development of the project.
Beginning with the "crazy 8s" method, I swiftly visualized the app's flow, leveraging my understanding of user stories. As I sketched, I envisioned screen transitions and outlined a basic site map. This simple flow guided the creation of a paper prototype for user testing, allowing me to observe reactions and refine interactions.
Visualization
From the flash screen offering a breather to the homepage's four options, each element was meticulously crafted to enhance user engagement. Through categorized emotional statuses and sliders defining intensity, users seamlessly navigated to their chosen activities, providing feedback along the way. This iterative process culminated in a user-centered design(seen below).
Wireframes
Transitioning to digital wireframes allowed for deeper exploration of diverse activities within Halt. While maintaining the flow of the paper prototype, I noticed a significant uptick in user engagement and feedback. Experimentation with background soundscapes proved successful in enhancing navigation, while integrating ChatGPT for activity interactions yielded genuine and productive responses. Recognizing the importance of animated and clickable user flows, I focused on refining interactions to enhance user experience.
Clickable Prototype >
Information Architecture
The iterative design and testing process laid a strong foundation for Halt's information architecture, seen below. This comprehensive structure evolved based on user feedback and design refinements, serving as the blueprint for the app's functionality and navigation.
Prototype
Based on the testing results received from wireframes I began with low-fidelity designs. I opted for vector-based imagery to ensure adaptability across various devices and resolutions, enhancing user accessibility. Leveraging vectors enabled easy customization of shapes and colors, fostering a personalized connection and elevating visual appeal. Maintaining simplicity and aesthetic appeal, the style guide followed the latest version of Material Design, prioritizing user comfort and functionality. Transitioning to high-fidelity screens ensured consistency across the app, fostering user comprehension without the need for elaborate explanations. This approach prioritized user understanding and engagement, setting the stage for detailed screen flows and user testing in subsequent sections.
Clickable Prototype >
Final App
Transitioning from design to coding, I faced challenges with my limited coding knowledge, especially when learning React Native. Setting up the framework and emulator connection was a week-long endeavour marked by slow progress and difficulties. To overcome these hurdles, I adopted Expo, a tool that streamlined code compilation and enabled real-time testing on physical Android devices, offering a more accessible and efficient solution.
Try if for yourself!
Click on the app logo to download the app
