Easel
Easel
Mobile first solution to personalizing access to accredited resource and well-being care.
Mobile first solution to personalizing access to accredited well-being care resources.
Easel
Mobile first solution to personalizing access to accredited well-being care resources.
Duration
Duration
10 weeks
10 weeks
Platform
Platform
iOS app
iOS app
Team
Team
1 (myself)
1 (myself)
Tools
Tools
Figma, Figjam,
Illustrator
Figma, Figjam, Illustrator
Role
Role
UI/UX Designer
UX Researcher
UI/UX Designer, UX Researcher
Overview
Overview
Users can find resources tailored to users' specific needs, such as mental health support or self-care practices through personalised search.
Users can find resources tailored to users' specific needs, such as mental health support or self-care practices through personalised search.
With a user-centered design approach, Easel provides a seamless and intuitive experience that empowers young adult (18-29 year old) users to take control of their well-being.
With a user-centered design approach, Easel provides a seamless and intuitive experience that empowers young adult (18-29 year old) users to take control of their well-being.
My Role
My Role
The UX designer and researcher
The UX designer and researcher
The UX designer and researcher
I was involved in the end-to-end process of conceptualizing an easy-to-use platform to support young adults in managing their well-being.
I was involved in the end-to-end process of conceptualizing an easy-to-use platform to support young adults in managing their well-being.
Problem
Problem
How might we design a user-centered digital platform that offers accessible, credible, and personalized resources?
How might we design a user-centered digital platform that offers accessible, credible, and personalized resources?
How might we design a user-centered digital platform that offers accessible, credible, and personalized resources?
Many young adults struggle to find effective digital resources to support their well-being, and may face barriers to accessing in-person healthcare services.
Many young adults struggle to find effective digital resources to support their well-being, and may face barriers to accessing in-person healthcare services.
Goal
Goal
Drive users to utilize resources in the Easel platform
Drive users to utilize resources in the Easel platform
Drive users to utilize resources in the Easel platform
Easel aims to be a one-stop-shop for a range of well-being resources, making it easier and more convenient to find the support users will need.
Easel aims to be a one-stop-shop for a range of well-being resources, making it easier and more convenient to find the support users will need.
Curate personalized resources for users
Curate personalized resources for users
Curate personalized resources for users
Personalisation can help users find resources that are tailored specifically to their unique needs and preferences, which could increase their engagement with the platform and the resources Easel provides.
Personalisation can help users find resources that are tailored specifically to their unique needs and preferences, which could increase their engagement with the platform and the resources Easel provides.
Impact
Impact
"I know this is a side project, but I would love to use this if it was launched as a product."
- T.C., user testing participant, senior biochemistry university student
"I know this is a side project, but I would love to use this if it was launched as a product."
- T.C., user testing participant, senior biochemistry university student
"I know this is a side project, but I would love to use this if it was launched as a product."
- T.C., user testing participant, senior biochemistry university student
Users loved Easel, and wished it was something they can use on a daily basis.
Users loved Easel, and wished it was something they can use on a daily basis.
92%
92%
found Easel to be easy to navigate through
found Easel to be easy to navigate through
found Easel to be easy to navigate through
95%
95%
would like Easel to be compatible with wearables
would like Easel to be compatible with wearables
would like Easel to be compatible with wearables
87%
87%
would like to use Easel in conjunction with professional appointments
would like to use Easel in conjunction with professional appointments
would like to use Easel in conjunction with professional appointments
User Research
Young adults have struggled to find suitable support for their well-being on a daily basis.
Young adults have struggled to find suitable support for their well-being on a daily basis.
Young adults have struggled to find suitable support for their well-being on a daily basis.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, mental health services have been disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions in the US.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, mental health services have been disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions in the US.
70%
70%
of mental health services disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions
of mental health services disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions
of mental health services disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions
78%
78%
of young adults want to start digitally enabled support for their well-being
of young adults want to start digitally enabled support for their well-being
of young adults want to start digitally enabled support for their well-being
User interviews have revealed user frustrations with repetitive, pricey, and non-verifiable resources presented on platforms they have tried.
User interviews have revealed user frustrations with repetitive, pricey, and non-verifiable resources presented on platforms they have tried.
User interviews have revealed user frustrations with repetitive, pricey, and non-verifiable resources presented on platforms they have tried.
"I feel suspicious about these well-being resource platforms, there are always so many ads popping up"
"I feel suspicious about these well-being resource platforms, there are always so many ads popping up"
"I want to have access to support and resources digitally, so I can feel relieved about receiving help anytime, anywhere."
"I want to have access to support and resources digitally, so I can feel relieved about receiving help anytime, anywhere."
"The resources offered by the app I'm using are very pricey, repetitive and useless. They're not very accessible and inclusive for people with specific and special needs"
"The resources offered by the app I'm using are very pricey, repetitive and useless. They're not very accessible and inclusive for people with specific and special needs"
To explore design opportunities, we have created Lina.
To explore design opportunities, we have created Lina.
To explore design opportunities, we have created Lina.
Lina is a young adult who struggles to find appropriate support due to time constraints and lack of knowledge.
Lina is a young adult who struggles to find appropriate support due to time constraints and lack of knowledge.
As a busy young adult, online resources are my go-to, but they spread so much misinformation and have worsened my anxiety.
"As a busy young adult, online resources are my go-to, but they spread so much misinformation and have worsened my anxiety."
-Lina
Lina's user journey has revealed opportunities for a more personalised experience to cater to the constantly changing needs to improve her day-to-day well being.
Lina's user journey has revealed opportunities for a more personalised experience to cater to the constantly changing needs to improve her day-to-day well being.
Lina's user journey has revealed opportunities for a more personalised experience to cater to the constantly changing needs to improve her day-to-day well being.
Additional features such as introducing a filtered search process before proceeding to an anxiety relieving task can be beneficial for a young adult like Lina.
It can help pinpoint her current feelings, and ensure that the support can be accommodated to her needs and goals.
Additional features such as introducing a filtered search process before proceeding to an anxiety relieving task can be beneficial for a young adult like Lina.
It can help pinpoint her current feelings, and ensure that the support can be accommodated to her needs and goals.
Our competitor products do not take into account of users’ changing feelings, emotions, and situational needs.
Our competitor products do not take into account of users’ changing feelings, emotions, and situational needs.
Our competitor products do not take into account of users’ changing feelings, emotions, and situational needs.
Headspace
Headspace
Happify
Happify
Bloom
Bloom
Despite having 'personalised content' and 'progress tracking features', users are unable to curate and personalise their content based on current and changing user needs every time they use the product.
Despite having 'personalised content' and 'progress tracking features', users are unable to curate and personalise their content based on current and changing user needs every time they use the product.
Ideation
Ideation
Recommending resources through personalised search functions.
Recommending resources through personalised search functions.
Recommending resources through personalised search functions.
Understanding user needs
Understanding user needs
Understanding user needs
Personalising recommendations through machine learning algorithm
Personalising recommendations through machine learning algorithm
Personalising recommendations through machine learning algorithm
Completing an exercise with media player
Completing an exercise with media player
Completing an exercise with media player
Test and Iterate
Test and Iterate
"Umm… where do I go now?"
"Umm… where do I go now?"
01
01
01
70% of our users have expressed confusion and did not know what to do once they entered the app
70% of our users have expressed confusion and did not know what to do once they entered the app
70% of our users have expressed confusion and did not know what to do once they entered the app
Added on-boarding process
Added on-boarding process
Added on-boarding process
02
02
02
80% of our users would like a flexible exercise viewing and selection process
80% of our users would like a flexible exercise viewing and selection process
80% of our users would like a flexible exercise viewing and selection process
Added Home Page
Added Home Page
Added Home Page
"Can I save this exercise? I really like it and might want to do it again next time."
"Can I save this exercise? I really like it and might want to do it again next time."
"Can I save this exercise? I really like it and might want to do it again next time."
03
03
03
90% of our users would like to bookmark an exercise
90% of our users would like to bookmark an exercise
90% of our users would like to bookmark an exercise
Added 'Save' and 'Like' Capabilities
Added 'Save' and 'Like' Capabilities
Added 'Save' and 'Like' Capabilities
"I would seriously love to keep track of my progress"
"I would seriously love to keep track of my progress"
"I would seriously love to keep track of my progress"
04
04
04
100% of our users want to keep track of their progress through their account
100% of our users want to keep track of their progress through their account
100% of our users want to keep track of their progress through their account
Added 'My History' + 'My Saved' + 'My Liked'
Added 'My History' + 'My Saved' + 'My Liked'
Added 'My History' + 'My Saved' + 'My Liked'
Final Designs
Final Designs
Here's a detailed walkthrough of the high fidelity prototype.
Here's a detailed walkthrough of the high fidelity prototype.
Onboarding for new users
Onboarding for new users
New users can set up a new user account, afterwards there will be slides to introduce them to Easel's navigation and properties
New users can set up a new user account, afterwards there will be slides to introduce them to Easel's navigation and properties
Customised search for resources
Customised search for resources
Users can search for a resource to access based on their current needs, goals, emotions and preferences
Users can search for a resource to access based on their current needs, goals, emotions and preferences
Resource selection
Resource selection
Based on the personalised search answers, users can begin to access a list of recommended resources generated by Easel's machine learning algorithm
Based on the personalised search answers, users can begin to access a list of recommended resources generated by Easel's machine learning algorithm
Access to resource with user customised experience
Access to resource with user customised experience
Users can now enjoy their selected resource and customise their experience using the media control panels to accommodate to their needs
Users can now enjoy their selected resource and customise their experience using the media control panels to accommodate to their needs
Flexible access to previously completed, bookmarked and favourite resources
Flexible access to previously completed, bookmarked and favourite resources
Users can now keep track of their progress and exercise preferences through 'Home' and 'Profile' under 'My History', 'My Saved', and 'My Liked'
Users can now keep track of their progress and exercise preferences through 'Home' and 'Profile' under 'My History', 'My Saved', and 'My Liked'
Future Steps
Future Steps
A potential future for in-app and in-person community engagement
A potential future for in-app and in-person community engagement
Bringing in a community feature can create a support network to help one another on the platform, and to create an easel for users to lean on.
Bringing in a community feature can create a support network to help one another on the platform, and to create an easel for users to lean on.
Expansion to compatibility with wearables
Expansion to compatibility with wearables
I am curious to see how the functionalities, user experience, responsiveness, and visual design would translate to a smaller screen.
I am curious to see how the functionalities, user experience, responsiveness, and visual design would translate to a smaller screen.
My Learnings
My Learnings
Engage, and have conversations
Engage, and have conversations
Our users were very open to meaningful conversations, I was able to learn about their user goals and behaviour, which helped a lot when iterating and developing the final design despite the challenges of having to synthesise and come up with design solutions on my own.
Our users were very open to meaningful conversations, I was able to learn about their user goals and behaviour, which helped a lot when iterating and developing the final design despite the challenges of having to synthesise and come up with design solutions on my own.
Want to see more? Here you go.
Want to see more? Here you go.
Visual Design, Animation, Illustration
Playground Zone
Experimenting with tactile design methodologies
Experimenting with tactile design methodologies
Higher Education, Brand Identity
HKULSA
Establishing visual identity to enhance brand recognition
Establishing visual identity to enhance brand recognition