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BraceU is a mobile app designed to help users track and regulate their moods through personalized mood tracking and VR venting experiences. I led the 0-1 design phase, developing user flows, wireframes, and prototypes to create a seamless, user-centered experience.
Solo designer and VR engineer
March - May, 2023
Lead the end-to-end design for both the mobile and the VR UI
How might we leverage technology to meet the growing demand for accessible and scalable mental health care?
01. Mood Check-in
Starting with the mobile application, I designed an intuitive mood check-in process that concludes with a personalized touch—a pop-up gently inviting users to explore a custom VR experience tailored to their emotions.
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02. View Recommended VR Experience
While real-life venting and coping strategies are effective, they aren't always feasible or convenient. That's where VR steps in, offering a safe, private space for users to express their emotions freely.
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03. VR Interface Connection
The mobile and VR accounts are seamlessly connected, offering users an immediate, tailored VR experience for daily venting. If users want to explore more, they can browse and install new experiences from the Store, or quickly access their favorites through a dedicated page on the app for a personalized and convenient experience.
04. VR Experience
A demo scene of the"Dynamic venting in a natural forest park" I developed in Unity
Why worth solving
Around 20% of U.S. adults experience mental illness annually, yet many struggle to find help, with 24% unsure where to start. Barriers like stigma, cost, and access prevent effective care, even as 43% rely on medication alone for mental health support
Key findings
01.
Mood-tracking apps often fail to deliver effective solutions for users
Mental health apps hold promise, many fail to meet users' expectations. Only a small percentage of these apps—often fewer than 30%—offer evidence-based solutions
Competitive Analysis
02.
Mood tracking reveals patterns that foster effective coping strategies
By conducting interviews with psychology experts, I learnt that a coping strategy is any action or technique used to manage stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions, such as exercise, relaxation, or creative activities.
Effective Coping Strategies
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Brainstorming
Using Virtual Reality (VR) for mental health tools offers a highly immersive way to engage users and empower them to seek support and improve well-being. The initial idea is that BraceU is a VR-only product, where the mood check-in and the suggested coping strategies all happen in VR.
User Testing
I conducted 5 one-on-one interviews and received 92 online survey responses to understand user expectations for VR venting.
Key Feedbacks
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Mobile APP Incorporation
I integrated a mobile app as an extension of the VR experience, ensuring accessibility when the headset cannot be easily reached. The app includes a mood analysis system to track emotional patterns and provides personalized VR venting recommendations, offering continuous support for emotional regulation across devices.
Low-fi Wireframes
Iteration 1 - VR Experience Recommendation
Before
The inclusion of the Help Page recommendationafter MoodCheck-in has led to confusion amongusers, as some interpret it as a call button
After
The VR venting experience following the MoodCheck-in offers users a more personalised and informative user journey
Iteration 2 - VR Scene Preview
Before
The presentation of information feels cluttered with excess content. Additionally, the visibility of the "View All" option could be enhanced to draw more attention
After
Minor adjustments to the font size and weight weremade to draw attention to the "View All" option
01. Design Across Platforms
Through this project, I gained valuable experience in designing for both mobile and VR platforms, deepening my understanding of how to create cohesive and engaging multi-device experiences. I learned to navigate the distinct design considerations and constraints of each platform while ensuring a consistent, seamless, and user-friendly interface
02. Setting the right branding tone
I discovered that crafting the right branding tone is fundamental to product development, as it not only shapes users' perception but also fosters emotional resonance, influencing their trust, engagement, and long-term connection with the product