JASMIN
Hugbox
Hugbox is a new app that supports the future of mental health by providing a reliable tool to help unlock new forms of emotional support. It offers users a customizable chatbot character that is available 24/7 for anyone who wants to talk to a sister, teacher, friend, or anyone else. Not feeling comfortable sharing personal stories to others is not a problem anymore with Hugbox.
My Role
User Research
Web UI Design
Visual Identity
With
Jenny Wang
Xiangqing Zhang
Piper Xu
Timeline
2023 Spring
Many people find it challenging to seek out help due to stigma, embarrassment, or lack of access to mental health support materials.
Over 50% of individuals experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
Only 16.5% of individuals with depression worldwide seek help.
Some people may simply fear the vulnerability of telling a stranger their problems.
Design Opportunity 💡
How can we foster comfort and efficiency,
yet help people to safely share their emotions and stories at anytime?
A web based AI-chat service: individuals can express their emotions and share stories with trait customizable characters in a safe & supportive environment they desire
Some platforms…
Lacks deeper understanding of listeners’ skills, keeping up conversations, and efficacy
Some are too-friendly or too-professional based and provides typical feedbacks
Could Look Into…
Direct onboarding process yet less-complicated steps.
Option with character filter categories to establish and develop diverse relationship.
Enough professional feedback suggestions and friendly connections for users.
Detailed On-Boarding Filters
01 — Filtering out Needs
Sophisticated array of filter options, allowing individuals to tailor their preferences based on specific improvement areas
02 — Optimized Floor Plans
Ensures every aspect of the space is meticulously considered and optimized to meet unique needs by providing bespoke approach of room arrangements.
03 — Real time Analyzing
Motion Detector Camera that provides real-time motion feedbacks on alternative suggestions for improving the functionality and aesthetics of the space, beyond furniture alteration.
05
Understanding Targets
Conducted brief interviews with individuals ranging in age from their 10s to 50s to get a better understanding of the problem space surrounding emotional interaction with AI.
Four Key Insights:
Most people lacks empathy to things they don't care about.
Lack of resources for people to reach out with minimal effort.
Aren’t brave enough to go meet professionals due to social reputations / low accessibilities.
Easier affordance: expensive, long-term fight, and scary.
06
Core Values
Since people prioritizes privacy and empathy, fostering a sense of unbiased support among its users should be considered the most.
One cohesive experience solution focused on two goals:
Support — encourage communication to create a more interactive and supportive system within a familiar space
Reflection — inspire users and cultivate their awareness of their own values + being emotional is perfectly normal
07
Visual Identity
08
Main App Features
01 — Onboarding
Actively guides a user through a difficult moment. When interacting, user's personalized counselor will differ as user choose based on the user's input status.
02 — Ready to Chat
Users get to choose all-ready generated characters if they do not want to select and alter specific traits for their conversation.
03 — Advanced Listener Feedbacks
Cutting-edge image and voice recognition technology to enhance the communication feature with users.
09
Reflection📍
During this project, I was also tasked with conducting surveys and interviews as part of a new area of study that required detailed consideration and step-by-step planning. I learned how scaling both micro and macro design questions can be useful to better understand certain stakeholders’ perspectives. I also was delighted to receive positive feedback regarding the character illustrations, and the development of image/voice recognition to improve communication function.
Despite encountering numerous challenges, including the collection of feedback that did not always lead to clear or consistent conclusions, my team and I were able to develop a neutral solution that combined conflicting research. Overall, this multifaceted project was challenging yet rewarding, and I appreciated the opportunity to work with my team members and other stakeholders.