INTRO
Project Overview Seasonal Affective Disorder (or “SAD”) is a type of depression that affects people in the winter months caused by a deficiency of sunlight. It is also referred to as “winter depression.” As an answer to SAD and the more common ‘winter blues’ syndrome I created Vela- a weather app that helps people mitigate and manage the negative connotation of darker, colder weather and more specifically the drop in mood, energy and emotions. |
My Role
I executed the entire Design Thinking process for this project- from pinpointing the problem, through research, ideating possible solutions, prototyping, testing and reiteration.
It took me over six months to complete using a variety of tools including Figma, Google Forms, Usability Hub and Zoom.
PROBLEM
Bridging the gap People are negatively impacted by the weather on a physical and mental level resulting in debilitating productivity and low quality of life. In order to bridge the gap the following formula, W+I=E: World+Interpretation=Experience has been used with the Weather representing the World. The focus here is on the 'I' variant influencing the environmental perception towards a positive or neutral impact rather than a negative one. |
RESEARCH
Diving into SAD
Diving into SAD
First
Extensive desk research on SAD was undertaken to understand its cause, symptoms and potential cure. |
Then
Competitive analysis was performed to explore the management tools already available for people struggling with SAD. |
Piecing it all together with interviews
Five people who are likely to experience winter blues were interviewed to find how they form their perception of the weather. |
INSIGHTS
A SAD Reality SAD is a form of depression. According to NHS data, it affects around 2 million people in the UK, including children. The leading theory is that a lack of sunlight causes the brain to produce it at higher than normal levels. There isn’t a straightforward cure. All the remedies usually applied to treat a common depression are also recommended for SAD, with the addition of light therapy- counselling, medication, exercise, good sleep and good food. Competive analysis shows that not even a single weather app addresses the issue. Mental health apps are the next best thing in the digital world. However, the stigma around mental health is still very prominent, so people are less likely to admit to experiencing difficulties. As it turned out from the interviews talking about the weather is perceived as cultural small talk. People don’t admit the depth of much it affects their mood even though they experience symptoms of SAD. They turn to unhealthy meals as easy comfort food and more stationary, antisocial behaviour while wishing they are somewhere else doing something else as the perception of weather is based on the activities at the time. There is no bad weather, just association with different activities. |
Who are these people?
Gathering the above information, I drew a picture of the archetypes representing my audience. Creating scenarios from their life, I followed their mundane daily activities and how they tackled simple goals amidst weather-related adversities.
Gathering the above information, I drew a picture of the archetypes representing my audience. Creating scenarios from their life, I followed their mundane daily activities and how they tackled simple goals amidst weather-related adversities.
WORK FROM HOME
Magi Smith Magi is a busy Art Director who mainly works from home. She needs to boost productivity by maintaining a more inspiring home environment to be creative in her home office. By improving focus and energy levels, she can easier enter the state of ‘flow’ and allow more personal time after a fulfilled work assignment. What stands in the way is her tendency to anxiety, which gets multiplied by the darker weather conditions. Lazy winter mornings followed by guilt and harsh self-critique are often triggers to withdrawal. |
THE COMMUTER
Sofia Schiaparelli Sofia is a freelance yoga teacher who constantly travels to clients’ locations. She needs to wake up early and energised. Most of her classes are early mornings when she is expected to set the tone for other people's day ahead. Her mood is easily picked up by clients so she needs to stay positive and calm to ensure she is fulfilling her professional calling and enjoying it at the same time. The weather very often plays a big part in her mood and travel experience. |
SOLUTIONS
Creating light
After going over these people’s emotions and feelings, their emotional pitfalls pointed to the possible solutions.
Creating light
After going over these people’s emotions and feelings, their emotional pitfalls pointed to the possible solutions.
What you feed your body and Brain with is the direct result of what you get out of your body and brain.
Positive perspective
The UI will present calming visuals that invoke soft smiles. The homepage will have text to speak to users- it could be a funny line or a philosophical perception. It will create a lighter take on the environmental circumstances avoiding the cliche memes. Alarm Clock navigated by the weather Following research findings, the morning experience is a pivital point. For both Sofia and Magi, it will be beneficial if the weather notifies them of the immediate morning weather and preempts their waking up experience. A rain notification, for example, can trigger an alarm sunrise clock to wake them up gently earlier or later according to the current weather. Meditation as a rebalancing tool No one can avoid those frustrating moments 100% of the time. However, it will be easier for Magi and Sofia if they can shake it off as quickly as possible. Meditation has that power. It brings awareness and deeper understanding, which can shift perceptions and moods. Healthy winter recipe Food triggers and dinners are where things can go wrong or right, as it also affects sleep quality. Winter months induce the lazy approach to food- staying in and ordering a greasy takeaway brings comfort, but there is a pang of consequent guilt that turns into a vicious circle. Comfort food can be healthy for the body and mind. Such recipes will be available in carefully designed articles to help boost mood. Movies and Music editorials Influencing the senses is a way to alter perception through users’ habitual behaviour. Netflix editorial will suggest feel-good movies that users can watch simultaneously online with friends. Spotify connection will allow users to create weather-related playlists and have a dance to shake off the low vibe. |
SITEMAP
Building the blocks The information architecture was created before the first wireframes were drawn in order to gain understanding of the different screens that were implemented at the later stages. It also shows a clear map for the user flows. |
I picked two of the main features to focus on developing. The alarm clock was a feature I hadn’t seen anywhere, and I felt proud to have come up with that idea. People are more aware of meditation and use it to combat stress and anxiety. |
USER FLOW
Meditation
Scenario
It is a dark morning, you are on a busy commute, and the motivation for the day ahead isn’t there. You feel sorry for yourself. Listen to a short meditation to reframe your situation and improve your mood to try and make the most of your day. We cannot change the weather, so we must change our mindset to best adapt.
Example
“Play a guided meditation with a duration of 10 minutes or less.”
Meditation
Scenario
It is a dark morning, you are on a busy commute, and the motivation for the day ahead isn’t there. You feel sorry for yourself. Listen to a short meditation to reframe your situation and improve your mood to try and make the most of your day. We cannot change the weather, so we must change our mindset to best adapt.
Example
“Play a guided meditation with a duration of 10 minutes or less.”
Allowing the weather to adjust alarm clock
Scenario
It can be stressful waking up on an unexpected rainy morning when the body needs longer to reactivate, but there is not enough time to get ready and nourish well.
Allowing the weather forecast to take over your Sunrise alarm clock can be the answer. Presetting the desired conditions and time intervals will make users feel more in control even when sleeping.
Example
“If it is going to rain at 7 am (that is when the alarm is set for), move my alarm half an hour earlier (6:30 am).”
Scenario
It can be stressful waking up on an unexpected rainy morning when the body needs longer to reactivate, but there is not enough time to get ready and nourish well.
Allowing the weather forecast to take over your Sunrise alarm clock can be the answer. Presetting the desired conditions and time intervals will make users feel more in control even when sleeping.
Example
“If it is going to rain at 7 am (that is when the alarm is set for), move my alarm half an hour earlier (6:30 am).”
PROTOTYPE
Wireframes
Starting with the essential tools- pen and paper, my ideas began to take shape in sketched journey flows. It looked and felt very playful, and I couldn’t wait to see where this process takes me.
Wireframes
Starting with the essential tools- pen and paper, my ideas began to take shape in sketched journey flows. It looked and felt very playful, and I couldn’t wait to see where this process takes me.
MEDITATION Low Fidelity
MEDITAION Mid Fidelity
MEDITATION High Fidelity
Minimum viable product was developed to allow usability testing before the full UI content was created
Minimum viable product was developed to allow usability testing before the full UI content was created
ALARM CLOCK Low Fidelity
When I came up with the idea, I thought of linking a Sunrise Alarm clock to the app. It gives users an option for the weather app to control their alarm time according to preset weather conditions. Thus the users can enjoy a burst of early sunshine or have extra time to get
ready on a rainy morning.
ready on a rainy morning.
ALARM CLOCK Mid Fidelity
ALARM CLOCK High Fidelity MVP
The high fidelity wireframes were created to a bare minimum to ensure early stage of usability testing.
TESTING
What did users think The goal of the testing the product with real users is to assess the usability as well as the general perception of the app. I had a clickable prototype that I had developed using Figma. |
The design was presented to 6 participants. I gave them two tasks to complete as I stepped into the shoes of the mediator. Testing was undertaken mainly online using Zoom. |
User feedback
The moment of Truth- Following observations and analysis of the final results, 10 errors came up as issues to be addressed on the next iterration. I decided to tackle the results by prioritizing the most severe errors and addressing the top 3 for the simple reason of producing an MVP within the timeline.
The moment of Truth- Following observations and analysis of the final results, 10 errors came up as issues to be addressed on the next iterration. I decided to tackle the results by prioritizing the most severe errors and addressing the top 3 for the simple reason of producing an MVP within the timeline.
High Priority Issues
Issue 1: Could not determine how to get to the Alarm Clock Adjustment.
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Issue 2: Found the filtering on Meditation screen confusing/too lengthy.
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Issue 3: The Ellipse timeline is not intuitive.
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REFINE
Solutions
I returned to my personas and the problem statements and cross-examined them with the usability testing results. The root cause for most errors lies in the navigation and the need for more clarity. So I looked at each of the top 3 issues individually and logically worked out a solution. Putting them together meant an overhaul of the entire sitemap.
Solutions
I returned to my personas and the problem statements and cross-examined them with the usability testing results. The root cause for most errors lies in the navigation and the need for more clarity. So I looked at each of the top 3 issues individually and logically worked out a solution. Putting them together meant an overhaul of the entire sitemap.
Problem:
Could not determine how to get to the Alarm Clock Adjustment |
Solution:
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Before
After
Before
After
REFINE
Updated Sitemap
Updated Sitemap
Other Changes
Following the users' feedback, a few more changes were implemented to refine the final product:The Spotify tab became the Music tab to allow a variety of music apps and products to be integrated;
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FINAL DESIGN
Results
After iterating the design to solve the usability issues, I further refined it to comply with accessibility standards and Material Design guidelines.
Results
After iterating the design to solve the usability issues, I further refined it to comply with accessibility standards and Material Design guidelines.