Mindwave
Product Designer
Worked with Ziling Li
Overview
During the project, I gained deeper insights into mental health needs in university settings, improved my front-end development skills, and learned how to prioritize features and build an MVP.
Empathize
Problem
After COVID, mental health issues on college campuses worsened, intensifying existing psychological challenges. University health systems struggled to adapt to these new demands, leaving students feeling overwhelmed by academic and extracurricular pressures. Many face stress and anxiety but lack effective tools to manage their well-being. “College is unfortunately made to be stressful, and its not set up to be conducive for mental health.”
Assumptions
We started by identifying our assumptions and what we needed to test. We assumed that students see mental health as an important part of their well-being and academic success. We also believed that many students have difficulty navigating university counseling systems and could benefit from clear, easy-to-follow guidance. Additionally, we thought that students are more likely to use digital platforms, like apps or websites, to access mental health resources. Research Methodologies
To better understand the issue, we combined secondary research with direct input from students. We spoke with 10 students at Boston University and distributed surveys to 20 participants. These surveys provided quantitative insights into mental health challenges, stigma, and access to counseling services, helping us gain a clearer understanding of the problem.Key Takeaways
The research findings revealed several pain points: 65% of students interviewed lacked understanding of how to access counseling services, with many perceiving the process as time-consuming and confusing. Additionally, 50% expressed fear of losing support they were able to find after graduation. This last point was a surprising finding that we hadn't anticipated.“I really want to talk to a therapist asap, and I’m just worried about how they bill us, and how long it usually takes for a new patient to get some therapy.”
“As an alum, I’ve seen that it’s more difficult to find the right support outside of the university systems.”
“Student Health Services is meant for short term issues, and you will end up being referred out in no time, and then you are on your own.”
Define
We used affinity diagramming to organize user insights and identified a pattern, revealing an untapped opportunity. Our research showed that university students, especially those transitioning to the workforce, face significant mental health challenges. These struggles are often made worse by a lack of accessible resources to support them. Based on these findings, we reframed the problem statement to focus on this unmet need.
How might we empower students to feel confident and supported during the transition from academia to professional or personal life?
Ideate
Crazy Eight Exercise
We brainstormed several solutions based on user research, including a 24/7 student mentor hotline, mindfulness prompts, study groups, mini-games, and an emotional progress dashboard. For the MVP, we focused on what we could realistically code. We created a daily check-in with breathing exercises and a calendar for students to track their emotions and reflect on past days.
After the class was over, we expanded the concept. We added emotion tracking, mindfulness prompts, and a "Task of the Day" feature to encourage fun activities. These additions aimed to make mental health management more engaging, help students build coping skills, and track their emotional growth.
Prototype
User Flow and Site Map
We used a user flow exercise to provide a holistic view of the complete user experience. The site map served as a checklist to ensure all necessary pages were designed.Wireframes
Next, wireframes were created to identify any missing components for screens and allow for iteration on the design before moving into the high-fidelity.
Solution
Visual Direction
Inspired by bullet journals, nature, and emotions, Mindwave’s design embodies its mission to provide a tranquil, user-centered space for mindfulness and personal growth. The use of gradients, rounded corners, and bold illustrations creates a sense of warmth and approachability while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic.Illustrations
The illustrations in Mindwave bring a vibrant yet simple touch to the user experience, complementing the platform's focus on mindfulness and well-being.
On-Boarding
Prioritizing simplicity and clarity, each screen gently guides users through the platform's core values: relaxation, personal development, and mental balance.