Mindy
Date: Jan 2021 ~ Nov 2021
Role: UI/UX/Content Designer
Range: Ideation to Launch
Collaborators: Jake Kim (Front-end Engineer)
Outcomes: Launched on the App Store and Google Play (2021)
BACKGROUND
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Mindy was designed with a focus on enhancing mental and emotional well-being through interactive mobile tools. In my role as the content and UI/UX designer, I translated complex psychological concepts into accessible, engaging app con- tent and interfaces. The primary goal of the app was to allow the users to easily apply therapeutic tools in their daily lives. These activities were crafted to be approachable and effective, encompassing mindfulness techniques, strategies for anxiety management, and tools to foster healthier social relationships. Key features of Mindy include: Mood Diary: This feature allows users to record and reflect on their emotional states, providing insights and actionable advice based on their diary entries. Daily Prompts & Stories: Based on user preferences, Mindy offers personalized daily content to assist in tracking and understanding emotional progress. Interactive Activities: Mindy includes a variety of engaging guides on mental wellness techniques and concepts, catering to different aspects of mental health from mindfulness to social relationship enhancement.
DESIGN PROCESS - BRAND IDENTITY
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Mindy's brand identity was crafted to align with its core mission: enhancing mental and emotional well-being through user-friendly, interactive tools. The brand's identity is rooted in the principle of simplicity, accessibility, and effectiveness. I aimed to create an identity that resonates with users seeking practical solutions for their mental health. Visual Guidelines: Color Palette: Soft, calming colors like pastel blues, greens, and yellow dominate, creating a soothing visual experience. Typography: We use friendly, rounded typefaces that are easy to read, embodying the app's approachable nature. Imagery: Images and illustrations are gentle, optimistic, and inclusive, depicting diverse individuals engaging in activities that promote mental wellness. Incorporating these elements into Mindy's brand identity ensures a coherent and appealing presence both digitally and in physical merchandise. The brand identity reflects Mindy's commitment to making mental health practices accessible, engaging, and effective for everyone.
DESIGN PROCESS - DESIGN SYSTEM
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The strategy behind the design system was to create a unified and distinctive visual language for Mindy. This language had to be flexible enough to accommodate future growth and changes, yet robust enough to maintain brand consistency. This included defining the basic design elements like spacing, iconography, text fields, and other key components. Components like buttons, input fields, and dialogue boxes were designed with user engagement in mind. Attention to detail was paramount - from the tactile feel of the buttons to the responsiveness of interactive elements. These components were not only functional but also contributed to the overall aesthetic and user experience. They were designed to be consistent yet adaptable, fitting seamlessly into different sections of the app and website. The ultimate goal of the design system was to enhance the user experience. Every element, from the foundational color palette to the interactive components, was designed with the user in mind. The aim was to make the journey through the app not just beneficial in terms of mental wellness but also delightful from a design perspective. The design system was a critical tool in achieving this, ensuring that every aspect of Mindy was coherent, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing.
DESIGN PROCESS - CONTENT STRATEGY
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In developing Mindy's content strategy, I placed a significant emphasis on creating content that resonates with our users' journey towards mental and emotional well-being. The overarching theme is to provide content that is not only informative but also empowering and relatable. This includes a blend of positive storytelling, user-centric narratives, and practical advice. By weaving psychological principles with everyday language, I ensured that the content is both accessible and engaging. For social media, I created a series of assets that reflect the essence of Mindy. These include visually appealing graphics that illustrate key mental wellness concepts. These assets are tailored to fit various platforms, ensuring optimal engagement whether it's on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Understanding the diverse nature of our user base, I've incorporated variations in our content to address different aspects of mental health. This includes series focusing on performance, mindfulness, positivity, and social relationships. Each series adopts a unique narrative style – from reflective and calming to motivational and uplifting – to suit the specific theme and desired impact.
REFLECTION
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The Mindy project was a side venture that I embarked upon with my closest friend, Jake Kim, with whom I had collaborated on long-term projects like Keeper and Charco. Both of us were mentally exhausted from the relentless demands of startup work and our ongoing tangible projects. This shared experience sparked the desire to create a simple product that could bring immediate value to the users. Daily Prompts & Stories, customized for each user, became a key feature of Mindy, offering an enlightening and unique experience. Based on user surveys and focus group interviews, we found that majority of users stopped using journals and/or mental care apps because it was simply too tedious to write everything on their phone. Therefore, we focused on making the input of entries as easy as possible, offering keywords and thought categories to enhance recollection of past events. In addition, the app's interactive activities, covering everything from mindfulness to anxiety management, were designed to make mental wellness practices both accessible and practical. These features embodied our belief in the power of simple, regular mental health practices and were crafted for easy integration into daily life. Mindy became a tool that embodied our vision of mental wellness - approachable, personalized, and profoundly impactful. It was a project that not only addressed the needs of our users but also provided us with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the importance of mental health in our lives.