Ke Kai

Overview

BACKGROUND

Inspired by my Hawaiian roots and driven by my recent completion of Google's UX Design Certification, Ke Kai, meaning "Tide" in Hawaiian, is a passion project aimed at increasing mental health accessibility among college students. While still in the project phase, I am eager to turn this vision into a reality.

ROLE

UX Designer, multiple hats (UX researcher, product manager, visual designer, copywriter, marketer.

TIMELINE

January 2024 - April 2024.

AUDIENCE

College students

PROBLEM

College campuses are facing record rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, with students and staff overwhelmed by the demand for mental health services.

GOAL

Our mental health app is dedicated to fostering the overall well-being of students. It aims to empower users to enhance their mental health by providing comprehensive tools and support, promoting confidence, resilience, and a positive mental outlook.

IMPACTFUL OUTCOME

To be determined, as this is an ongoing project.

Understanding the Challenge

Rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation on college campuses have never been higher. Meanwhile, faculty and staff in the counseling department overwhelmed and experiencing burnout.

Process

MENTAL HEALTH APP INSIGHTS

I conducted a survey among 200 college students across California to gain deeper insights into their perceptions and experiences with mental health apps. We had an impressive participation rate of 69%. Here’s what I found:

DESIGN SPRINTS

As a sole proprietor, I embarked on developing my mental health platform. Through design sprints, I aimed to create a user-centric product roadmap, despite the lack of dedicated departments. By assuming multiple roles and strategically navigating the sprint process, I cultivated a cohesive vision prioritizing usability, accessibility, and effectiveness in promoting mental well-being.

USER FLOWS

I developed user flows for both registered and non-registered students, with the main difference being the intake form process. While ensuring a personalized experience akin to a "choose your own adventure" for students, I strategically placed the call to action of scheduling a session on each page.

EARLY DESIGNS

Clear information hierarchy was crucial for the student dashboard's clarity. Prioritizing simplicity and ease of navigation, I discarded designs with unclear user journeys and cluttered layouts.

USABILITY TEST

I tested the scheduling session feature with five users to ensure a smooth experience. The testing revealed two key insights: the process was straightforward and engaging, and placing the scheduling session feature higher on the dashboard increased user engagement. I redesigned the layout based on feedback to prominently display the call-to-action above the fold.

Final Designs

Embark on a personalized journey to well-being with Ke Kai. In the whirlwind of college life, emotional challenges can be overwhelming. That's why our innovative product steps in as a beacon of support for college students navigating the complexities of this crucial life transition.

ONBOARDING EXPERIENCE

Given that students seeking assistance often find themselves in a state of overwhelm or emotional distress, the onboarding process has been meticulously crafted to be straightforward and effortless to complete.

PERSONALIZED JUST FOR YOU

Personalized features and recommendations based on student' preferences and mental health goals enhance engagement and efficacy.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

User-friendly, intuitive interface catering to diverse needs and accessibility requirements.

Impactful Outcome

Since Ke Kai is an ongoing project with results yet to be determined, the following highlights feedback from students who have explored the prototype.

Insights and Learnings

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA

The presence of mental health stigma highlights the importance of building trust, safety, and credibility within our platform. To combat this, I propose on-campus activations to directly engage with students, answering their questions and addressing concerns, thus easing their transition into using the platform.

SCALABILITY AND DESIGN SYSTEM

To ensure scalability, I developed a design system using Figma, drawing inspiration from Material UI. This allows for consistent and coherent design elements across the platform, enhancing user experience and facilitating future growth.

ENHANCING QUALITY CARE

Moving forward, the next phase of the project involves focusing on the back-end experience for college counselors. By optimizing counselor workflows, we aim to improve the quality of care provided to students, ensuring a more effective and supportive mental health service.