A mobile app with interactive lessons that teach users about empathy, why it’s important, and how they may benefit by using it in everyday life.
It can be difficult for people to find information about empathy, why it’s important, and how to use it in the real world.
This app will provide an easy and fun resource that teaches top-level points of empathy with real world applications.
Focused on designing a product that offers unique value, I conducted research to understand how users feel about learning interpersonal skills from a digital product and how they might interact with it. I was curious about how effective a product like this could be, and what the process for teaching on a mobile app would look like.
I relied on user feedback to identify the “sweet spot” of content: enough new topics and concepts, but not so much that it overwhelms users. Staying aware of my own inherent bias towards psychology, I was careful to represent a variety of perspectives. I was prepared for users’ reactions and comprehension to affect the direction of the design.
I included a demographically diverse group of users with varied knowledge about empathy who represent a variety of environments in which these skills might be applied.
Primary research included surveys, interviews, and observational studies from a varied selection of user types.
Secondary research revealed few competing or similar products, indicating a gap to be filled.
Requiring information before being able to access content forces users to invest in something they have little or no information about yet.
Users have an expectation that after downloading an app, the experience will be more robust than the results of an internet search.
The connection between psychological education and real-world application is a step that is sometimes omitted from teachings.
“As a loving grandmother, I wish I knew the right thing to say so that I don’t annoy my daughter-in-law and we can all spend more happy times together.”
“As a devoted husband, I want to be better at talking to and comforting my wife so that our marriage continues to thrive.”
If it was easy for people to learn more about empathy and how to use it in the real world, then people might experience a greater potential for healing and deeper connection with others.
Our mobile app teaches users about empathy and how to use it in their lives, which will affect anyone they interact with by guiding them towards closer and kinder communication.
Potential areas for improvement were explored using creative brainstorming exercises like “How Might We?“
Layouts for each unique section of the app were created using Rapid Drawing.
The lo-fi prototype was tested remotely in an unmoderated study. Five participants completed four tasks and rated their overall experience.
I tracked progress toward my research goals with these KPIs:
Answering these questions helped me to forge a clearer path forward with my design.
Some users were unable to find the email newsletter signup.
Two Examples subheadings confused some users.
Too many dots and different ways to swipe.
Originally featuring three different layout styles for visual interest, the Response Examples section was simplified after users expressed confusion during testing.
Most users found the email signup form difficult to find, so the link was moved to the top nav bar, accessible from anywhere in the app.
Luminance contrast ratios were verified accessible and compliant to WCAG level AA requirements.
Text is labeled H1-H6 throughout to aid in navigation and help users determine hierarchy of information.
Users can choose to directly access topics they wish to learn about or to take a sequential journey.
A more robust version could include interactive games and activities to do alone or with others.
I would like to conduct image user testing to understand more about what resonates with users the most.
Provide an arena to share their experiences and knowledge with a like-minded community.
Questions? Ideas?
There’s plenty to talk about.
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