MindUp
MindUp combats burnout & isolation for remote workers with “break-sharing”. Boosts well-being through regular breaks and group connection.
My Role
Lead UX Designer/Researcher
Overview
This project strategically targets the pressing issues faced by remote workers, addressing their need for a tool that combats burnout and isolation through structured breaks and peer connections using “Group Flow”. The primary end-users are remote professionals seeking enhanced well-being and work-life balance. The platform is designed for seamless accessibility across web, mobile, and desktop, while adhering to technical considerations such as compatibility and performance.
The Challenge
Following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of remote work drastically increased. At its peak in April 2020, approximately 42% of the U.S. labor force was working remotely full-time. Post-pandemic, workplaces continued remotely and hybrid. Human’s around the world were thrown into a new situation, experiencing social media addiction, isolation, loneliness.. without any resources to maintain their mental health.
The Solution
TAKE MORE BREAKS! Taking multiple breaks and stepping away from screens is essential for humans to prevent digital eye strain, reduce mental fatigue, and maintain overall well-being. These pauses allow for relaxation, reconnection with the physical environment, and help to prevent burnout in our increasingly digital and screen-driven lives. Sharing breaks with peers and experiencing group flow fosters a sense of connection and camaraderie, combating feelings of isolation and boosting remote workers' overall mental health and productivity.
User Research: Summary
Our user research involved surveys, interviews, and usability studies with remote workers to validate our assumptions about their wellness and social interaction preferences. We discovered varying preferences for break activities and sharing levels, which prompted us to adapt our app's features to better cater to these diverse needs.
Personas
Meet Connor, a 22-year-old software engineer, and Jill, a 38-year-old mother of three. Connor is dedicated to achieving a healthier work-life balance by incorporating regular exercise and a nutritious diet into his daily routine, while Jill is focused on developing efficient time management strategies to balance work tasks and quality time with her children. Both share a commitment to improving their well-being and juggling responsibilities in their unique life contexts.
Ideation
During ideation, I rapidly explored and visualized various concepts for wellness activities and how they could potentially flow into the “Group Flow” style app.
Digital Wireframes
The digital wireframe is designed with a focus on visual engagement, featuring prominently-sized images to instantly captivate users' attention. Through careful placement and consistent aesthetics, these wireframes prioritize a seamless and aesthetically pleasing user experience, guiding users to explore and interact with the featured posts effortlessly.
Low Fidelity Prototype
Usability Study Findings
Mockups
Due to the confusing navigation, it was crucial to add the navigation bar at the bottom. In addition, a tags section was added under each post to simplify the “Break” activity further.
To simplify the navigation further, it was important to show the groups you have connected with, in addition to the “Explore option”.
High Fidelity Prototype
Link to prototype.
Following user feedback and usability studies, the high fidelity prototype is geared toward seamless navigation, interaction, and visual design.
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Accessibility Considerations
Responsive Designs
It was important to ensure design stayed central around your friends posts, no matter what screen size. This will encourage you to take breaks often, and maybe even in sync with your selected group.
Takeaways
Next Steps
