Inclusivity by Design:
ADHD-Centric Wellness App

My Role

Product Manager -

UX Designer -

UI Designer

Deliverables

Hi-fi wire-framing App version
Hi-fi prototype App version

Timeline 2023

2 months

Overview

This case study unveils the development of a wellness app designed for neurodivergent individuals, with a focus on ADHD challenges. The design thinking was rooted in empathetic research. Through innovative features like "Task at Hand", an AI-powered Companion Chat and Community chat, the app addresses distractions and loneliness.

This exploration showcases the transformative potential of inclusive design.

Mission

The focus is on creating a user-friendly interface that is intuitive and accessible, taking into account the ADHD requirements of the users. The goal is to prioritise inclusivity and emotional well-being, creating a sense of belonging and community among the users.

Problem

The problem was a lack of engaging content or services to attract and retain subscribers. They needed a fresh approach to captivate and grow their audience, emphasizing the need for user-focused content or services.

Research

Our research focused on the well-being of remote workers post-2020, acknowledging the pandemic's profound impact on social relationships and mental health. Our goal was to explore challenges related to loneliness and depression.

Following this initial exploration, our research evolved into a quantitative survey that provided valuable insights:

  • approximately 40% of the participants were devoting an average of 8 to 10 hours per day to work or study, indicating a significant commitment to their daily tasks.

  • Surprisingly, 90% of the surveyed individuals considered their mental health to be in good condition.

  • A substantial 52% either had a neurodivergent condition or suspected they might have one, with 30% expressing a high degree of certainty regarding ADHD.

  • It was eye-opening to learn that 66% of respondents believed that the wellness apps they used were not customized for individuals with ADHD or neurodivergent conditions.

    • 65% expressing the need for a Daily Routine planner.

    • the same 65% percentage desiring mindfulness and meditation features.

    • 49% seeking tips related to physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

    • Virtual social interaction was also considered essential by 30% of the participants.

This discovery in Mental health question led us to reconsider our focus on remote workers and explore alternative avenues.

These revelations inspired us to shift our focus towards this specific target group and create a solution tailored to their unique needs.

"I often find it hard to keep a routine; it feels like my day is all over the place."

Secondary Research & Survey

Following our survey findings, we pivoted our goal to develop an app catering specifically to neurodivergent individuals, filling a gap identified in existing solutions.

The survey and secondary research distinctly highlighted the needs and pain points of our target user:

  1. Needs revolve around enhancing focus, organising tasks, managing time effectively, supporting emotional well-being, and fostering social interactions.

  2. Pain points difficulties in focusing, organising tasks, managing time, dealing with emotional challenges, and combating social isolation.


Competitors Analysis

Based on the comparison shown in the table below, it's clear that existing wellness apps lack comprehensive features, with none offering more than three essential aspects. This gap presents a prime opportunity.

The future app could stand out in the market and address the diverse needs of neurodivergent individuals and other users seeking comprehensive mental health and well-being support.

User Persona &

Dana is a 32-year-old graphic designer with a strong passion for creative pursuits. She aspires to enhance her focus and productivity in her work while struggling with ADHD.

Her daily challenges revolve around managing tasks and organizing her personal and professional life, leading to considerable stress. Despite her creative flair, Dana often experiences feelings of social isolation due to difficulties in social interactions. She is seeking emotional support and a sense of connection with others.

Dana and others facing ADHD challenges with distractions, organization, and isolation lack tailored solutions.

We propose a wellness app addressing these issues by enhancing focus, offering task management tools, emotional support, and meaningful social interactions. The goal is to rejuvenate memberships for a more inclusive and supportive community.

Problem Statment


Ideation

These categories guided the development of features in the wellness app. The team used the Impact Effort Matrix to prioritize high-impact, low-effort ideas. A key focus was the personalized login process to deliver tailored user experiences based on individual conditions

The rest of the features where organised in this way (following the matrix in the picture):

During the ideation phase, the team conducted a creative brainstorming session, generating ideas focused on enhancing the well-being of individuals with ADHD. Ideas were categorized into Task organization, Motivation & Encouragement, Mental health & Emotional management, Concentration, and Routines.

  • We were including features like

    • Mood tracking

    • Setting alarms for breaks and exercises

    • Goal tracking

    • Motivation prompts

    • Concentration mode.

  • features like :

    • Personalised Loggin

    • Prioritizing tasks

    • Customizable profiles

    • AI chat functionality

    • Community chat

    • Gamifying daily tasks.

    • Multiple characters for the AI buddy

    • Earning badges for achieving milestones

    • Receiving mood-based memes

    • Tracking pain levels

    • Incorporating breathing exercises.

Solution

Our wellness app, crafted for individuals like Dana managing ADHD, provides personalized solutions. With features like 'Task at Hand,' mood tracking, and AI Companion Chat, users enhance focus and well-being. The app fosters community through Community Chat, offers gamified tasks, and provides personalisation options, promoting a sense of accomplishment and well-being.

User flow

User flow or "Happy path" design for the Login action in the App


, to Mid-Fi

In the initial phases, we created low-fidelity wireframes, outlining the fundamental app structure. Progressing to medium-fidelity designs, we prioritized basic elements and interactions, deferring colors and typography for the high-fidelity stage. These mid-fi designs served as a refined visual guide, bridging concepts to the final product in our development process.

Some wireframes on mid-fi of how the app should be structured

To gain a clearer understanding, we created a structured outline detailing the content for each section or screen. This approach allowed us to divide tasks efficiently, enabling simultaneous work on different screens. Our goal was to converge all aspects in the final high-fidelity prototype.

Scheme of the sections and content in each of them

, to Hi-Fi.

We began by creating a moodboard, guiding the design with a calming and unobtrusive visual direction.

To meet our target audience's needs, we selected a calming color palette overstimulating hues. The primary colors balance vibrancy and serenity, providing an engaging yet non-disruptive visual experience.

Through thorough research and comparison, we chose Helvetica as our main font. Its clean and straightforward design enhances readability, aligning with our goal of providing a clutter-free interface for focused user interactions.

With colors, typography, and style decisions settled, we crafted a comprehensive style tile, serving as a visual guide for consistency and a cohesive user experience. Our hi-fi design prioritized simplicity and usability for individuals with ADHD.

Problem/Solution

Problem: Starting the day feeling overwhelmed and disorganized, lacking a clear task list and prioritization strategy.

Solution: The introduction of a daily task setup and a priority-based task creator feature was shaped by the survey finding that 65.4% of participants expressed a desire for a structured task organization system. This solution directly addresses their need for a clear and organized approach to their daily tasks, aligning with the majority of participants' requests and ensuring a user-friendly experience for individuals with ADHD.


Problem: Difficulty in prioritizing tasks due to distractions.

Solution: The "Focus Mode" and "Task at Hand" features were designed in response to 55% of participants reporting distraction as a significant challenge. By focusing attention on high-priority tasks, these solutions directly target the needs of users struggling with distractions.


Problem: Stressful thoughts impacting bedtime.

Solution: The integration of Audio-Journaling, meditation, and wind-down sessions was influenced by the 28.6% of participants who identified stress and 65% who desired mindful and meditation features. These solutions directly address the stress-related challenges faced by users.


Problem: Feelings of loneliness during overwhelming days.

Solution: The AI chat feature and community chat were introduced based on 30% of participants indicating loneliness as a challenge. These solutions provide social support and companionship, addressing the specific needs expressed by the survey participants.


Next steps

  1. Registration of Medication Set-up: A feature was implemented allowing users to register and set up reminders for their medications.

  2. Mental Health Check Suggestions: An intelligent system was incorporated to detect prolonged low moods tracked by users. When such patterns were identified, the app automatically suggested mental health check-ins or provided relevant resources to support users during difficult times

  3. User Community Features: Implementing discussion forums or community groups where users can share experiences, tips, and support one another. Moderation tools could also be developed to ensure a safe and supportive environment.

  4. Integration with Wearable Devices: such as smartwatches or fitness trackers. This integration can provide real-time data on users' physical activity, sleep patterns, and stress levels, enhancing the app's approach to well-being.

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