Work > Neurologue
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health has become a deeply personal concern for many, including myself, as we often struggle to find effective ways to manage our emotional well-being.
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health has become a deeply personal concern for many, including myself, as we often struggle to find effective ways to manage our emotional well-being.
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health has become a deeply personal concern for many, including myself, as we often struggle to find effective ways to manage our emotional well-being.
Neurologue was conceived as a solution to bridge this gap—a user-centered mood tracking app in the mental health technology space designed to empower individuals by providing them with personalized insights into their mood patterns.
Neurologue was conceived as a solution to bridge this gap—a user-centered mood tracking app in the mental health technology space designed to empower individuals by providing them with personalized insights into their mood patterns.
Neurologue was conceived as a solution to bridge this gap—a user-centered mood tracking app in the mental health technology space designed to empower individuals by providing them with personalized insights into their mood patterns.
Duration
Duration
6 weeks
6 weeks
Role
Role
User Research, Information Architecture, Graphic Design, Branding, Wireframing, Interface Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing
User Research, Information Architecture, Graphic Design, Branding, Wireframing, Interface Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Tools
Tools
Figma, Zoom, Canva, Google Suite, Dovetail
Figma, Zoom, Canva, Google Suite, Dovetail
Project Overview
Project Overview
Project Overview
In our increasingly busy lives, it can be difficult for individuals to maintain an awareness of their mental health and emotional well-being. Many people struggle to recognize patterns in their moods or identify when they need support. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental health often discourages open communication, making it challenging for individuals to reach out to friends or loved ones during difficult times.
In our increasingly busy lives, it can be difficult for individuals to maintain an awareness of their mental health and emotional well-being. Many people struggle to recognize patterns in their moods or identify when they need support. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental health often discourages open communication, making it challenging for individuals to reach out to friends or loved ones during difficult times.
Grounded in comprehensive user research and iterative design, this case study chronicles the development of Neurologue, a concept project deeply personal to me, created to address these pressing mental health challenges.
Grounded in comprehensive user research and iterative design, this case study chronicles the development of Neurologue, a concept project deeply personal to me, created to address these pressing mental health challenges.
Research & Insights
Research & Insights
Research & Insights
To better understand the current pain points in the mental health tech industry and where I can make an impact, I conducted 5 user interviews with participants who have used or are interested in using apps in this space. I also conducted a Competitive Analysis of other mood tracking apps on the current market to assess what features make each platform stand out from the others.
To better understand the current pain points in the mental health tech industry and where I can make an impact, I conducted 5 user interviews with participants who have used or are interested in using apps in this space. I also conducted a Competitive Analysis of other mood tracking apps on the current market to assess what features make each platform stand out from the others.
I realized that...
I realized that...
Lack of Consistency
Many users struggle to stay motivated to use an app without feeling overwhelmed or pressured by streak-based features and constant notifications.
Many users struggle to stay motivated to use an app without feeling overwhelmed or pressured by streak-based features and constant notifications.
Difficulty Connecting With Others
Despite the availability of various features aimed at fostering connection, many users feel a lack of genuine social interaction and community.
Despite the availability of various features aimed at fostering connection, many users feel a lack of genuine social interaction and community.
Ideation
Ideation
Ideation
How might we better support users in achieving their mental health and wellness goals without feeling overwhelmed or isolated?
How might we better support users in achieving their mental health and wellness goals without feeling overwhelmed or isolated?
How might we better support users in achieving their mental health and wellness goals without feeling overwhelmed or isolated?
To tackle these challenges, I set out to design a mood-tracking app with two key features:
To tackle these challenges, I set out to design a mood-tracking app with two key features:
01.
01.
01.
Progress Visualization
Displaying users' mood trends over time not only provides them with a clear overview of their emotional journey, but also motivates them to continue logging their moods as they witness tangible results.
Displaying users' mood trends over time not only provides them with a clear overview of their emotional journey, but also motivates them to continue logging their moods as they witness tangible results.
02.
02.
02.
Check-In With Friends
A social component that allows users to add close friends and check-in digitally by sending supportive messages or quick responses to offer encouragement and foster a sense of connection.
A social component that allows users to add close friends and check-in digitally by sending supportive messages or quick responses to offer encouragement and foster a sense of connection.
With this in mind, I created a sitemap and several user flows to ensure a seamless and intuitive experience. The goal was to make mood tracking, progress visualization, and friend check-ins effortless and engaging.
With this in mind, I created a sitemap and several user flows to ensure a seamless and intuitive experience. The goal was to make mood tracking, progress visualization, and friend check-ins effortless and engaging.
By carefully considering the user journey from onboarding to daily interactions, I aimed to design 3 flows that minimized friction and maximized user engagement:
By carefully considering the user journey from onboarding to daily interactions, I aimed to design 3 flows that minimized friction and maximized user engagement:
Flow 1: Create an account and complete the onboarding questions to determine user goals and preferences.
Flow 1: Create an account and complete the onboarding questions to determine user goals and preferences.
Flow 2: View user’s progress reports over various periods of time.
Flow 2: View user’s progress reports over various periods of time.
Flow 3: Locate one of close friend’s activity and digitally check-in with them.
Flow 3: Locate one of close friend’s activity and digitally check-in with them.
Click here to view the sitemap and user flows on Figma.
Click here to view the sitemap and user flows on Figma.
UI Design
UI Design
UI Design
Brand Identity
Brand Identity
#1B1B1B
#1B1B1B
#005BA6
#005BA6
#FAD2D0
#FAD2D0
#FBC547
#FBC547
#ED7237
#ED7237
Aa
Aa
Aa
Open Sauce One
Neurologue’s brand identity embodies warmth, empathy, and empowerment—qualities that are reflected in the app's visual and verbal elements. The color palette was chosen to evoke a sense of calm and reassurance, with tones that create a welcoming environment.
Neurologue’s brand identity embodies warmth, empathy, and empowerment—qualities that are reflected in the app's visual and verbal elements. The color palette was chosen to evoke a sense of calm and reassurance, with tones that create a welcoming environment.
For the typography, I chose Open Sauce One because it is modern yet approachable, striking a balance between professionalism and friendliness.
For the typography, I chose Open Sauce One because it is modern yet approachable, striking a balance between professionalism and friendliness.
In addition to designing the interface, I also created all the mood states, graphics, and backgrounds on the app myself, ensuring that every visual element aligned with the app’s brand identity.
In addition to designing the interface, I also created all the mood states, graphics, and backgrounds on the app myself, ensuring that every visual element aligned with the app’s brand identity.
In addition to designing the interface, I also created all the mood states, graphics, and backgrounds on the app myself, ensuring that every visual element aligned with the app’s brand identity.
Wireframes
Wireframes
After conducting usability testing on the low-fidelity wireframes, I incorporated the feedback into the design of the high-fidelity wireframes with the following adjustments:
After conducting usability testing on the low-fidelity wireframes, I incorporated the feedback into the design of the high-fidelity wireframes with the following adjustments:
Moved the Skip button to the bottom of the screen in every onboarding question, near the Continue button, as this placement felt more intuitive.
Combined the Log In and Sign Up pages into tabs on the same screen, allowing users to easily switch between them.
— Onboarding
— Onboarding
— Onboarding
The onboarding process was designed to be smooth and welcoming, guiding users through the initial setup. It not only allows users to personalize their experience by setting their preferences and goals, but also complete their first mood check-in.
The onboarding process was designed to be smooth and welcoming, guiding users through the initial setup. It not only allows users to personalize their experience by setting their preferences and goals, but also complete their first mood check-in.
Home & Progress —
Home & Progress —
Home & Progress —
The Home page allows users to effortlessly view their current mood activity and access personalized resources tailored to their goals.
The Home page allows users to effortlessly view their current mood activity and access personalized resources tailored to their goals.
The Progress page provides users with an at-a-glance view of their mood patterns over time. This focus on progress helps keep users engaged and motivated by showing them how far they’ve come.
The Progress page provides users with an at-a-glance view of their mood patterns over time. This focus on progress helps keep users engaged and motivated by showing them how far they’ve come.
— Friend Check-In
— Friend Check-In
— Friend Check-In
This feature allows users to send supportive messages or quick responses to check in on their friends’ well-being, aimed to help reduce the sense of isolation that can often accompany mental health struggles.
This feature allows users to send supportive messages or quick responses to check in on their friends’ well-being, aimed to help reduce the sense of isolation that can often accompany mental health struggles.
Prototyping & Testing
Prototyping & Testing
Prototyping & Testing
I then conducted various usability tests where I asked the participants to perform a series of tasks with the goals of:
I then conducted various usability tests where I asked the participants to perform a series of tasks with the goals of:
01.
01.
01.
Assessing the overall usability and effectiveness of the app.
Assessing the overall usability and effectiveness of the app.
02.
02.
02.
Identifying any navigation, usability issues, or any points of friction that may hinder user experience.
Identifying any navigation, usability issues, or any points of friction that may hinder user experience.
03.
03.
03.
Evaluating if the visual design interface, content organization, and layout are intuitive.
Evaluating if the visual design interface, content organization, and layout are intuitive.
04.
04.
04.
Gathering user feedback on their satisfaction of using the app to make iterations.
Gathering user feedback on their satisfaction of using the app to make iterations.
These tests were performed via moderated in-person sessions as well as moderated sessions via Zoom.
These tests were performed via moderated in-person sessions as well as moderated sessions via Zoom.
Based on the feedback I received, I added an emoji-reaction option to the Friend Check-In feature for users who prefer a quicker, non-text-based way to check in with their friends.
Based on the feedback I received, I added an emoji-reaction option to the Friend Check-In feature for users who prefer a quicker, non-text-based way to check in with their friends.
Takeaway
Takeaway
Takeaway
Creating Neurologue was a journey driven by my deep passion for mental health and a desire to provide people with a tool that not only helps them understand their emotional well-being but also fosters meaningful connections. From the early stages of ideation to the final design, every decision was made with the user’s mental health journey in mind.
Creating Neurologue was a journey driven by my deep passion for mental health and a desire to provide people with a tool that not only helps them understand their emotional well-being but also fosters meaningful connections. From the early stages of ideation to the final design, every decision was made with the user’s mental health journey in mind.
This project reinforced my belief that technology, when designed with care and purpose, can make a profound difference in people’s lives.
This project reinforced my belief that technology, when designed with care and purpose, can make a profound difference in people’s lives.