WhatSob
Experience a journey of empowerment and support through the sobriety diary diary that addresses the unique challenges college students encounter. Users can now track progress, confront triggers, and navigate recovery with personalized features tailored for a healthier, happier lifestyle.
Role
WhatSob was a group project for the Design Methods class, where I did research, testing, prototyping, and branding.
Duration
3 months (Jan 2023 - March 2023)
Overview
WhatSob is a digital sobriety diary that caters to individuals who are struggling with substance abuse. The app utilizes a sobriety buddy to provide a more personalized experience, encouraging users to engage in thoughtful and reflective journaling. Additionally, WhatSob features an AI chatbot that provides assistance to users by answering questions and acting as a potential approach for those in need of a listening ear.
Team
INFO 360 Design Methods Final Project
Team Krusty Krab — Oscar Shen, Tiffany Lu, William Tom
Tools
Figma
Scope
UI/UX Design, User Testing, Research
Introduction
College students often experience high levels of stress related to various aspects of their lives, including academic performance, social relationships, and mental health, which may turn to different substances as a way of coping mechanisms for negative or unpleasant feelings. While substance intake may seem to help students cope with difficult feelings, many reports have shown that it leads to a decrease in academic performance, physical well-being, and can also result in legal issues. Some of the common challenges that individuals may face during their sobriety journey may include cravings and triggers, social isolation, stigma and shame, and relapse.
why sobriety diary?
As a habitual digital journal-er, I find comfort and productivity in jotting down my daily experiences and thoughts. Journaling allows me to bring clarity to my mental state, particularly when facing challenging emotions or experiences. Similarly, a sobriety diary can serve as a valuable tool for individuals in recovery from addiction, providing a safe space for one to reflect on their journey towards sobriety and can be used to track progress. With a healthy outlet for self-expression, the act of journaling can become an empowering and supportive tool for individuals to navigate challenges of recovery.
Individuals struggling with addiction faces significant obstacles to maintaining sobriety, often due to personal stress and other reasons. How might we supports them in their efforts to stay sober, making the process easier and more enjoyable?
User Research
In order to get a better understanding of people’s goals and their experiences in substance abuse and sobriety journey, we proceeded to conduct 10 interviews, with 30-60 minutes each.
Based on the interviews, I was able to break down the problem statement further and divide the participants into two categories: those who had no desire to start the sobriety process and those who are/were interested in beginning the sobriety process to better understand about:
No progress:
➤ What is stopping them from making their first move?
➤ How do they view the risks and consequences of continued substance abuse?
➤ What role does peer pressure play in their decision to continue using substances?
➤ Are there any external factors, such as socioeconomic status or cultural norms, that influence their decision to continue using substances?
In progress:
➤ What kind of support do they need to begin their sobriety journey?
➤ How do they view the role of family, friends, and community in their sobriety journey?
➤ Learn about how they interact with online communities (e.g. Instagram and Facebook)
➤ What kinds of information are they willing to share on the internet?
➤ What motivated them to start/continue their sobriety journey?
➤ How can technology and social media be used to support individuals on their sobriety journey?
Competitve Analysis
Prior to developing the essential features for WhatSobs, we wanted to find out what available apps offered.
Synthesis
➤ Users may withhold the mindset of “you only live once” when engaging in substance use.
➤ Family involvement or health issues can be motivators for users to quit their substance abuse.
➤ Users find it difficult to maintain sobriety without sufficient motivation.
➤ Users often initiate substance abuse as a coping mechanism to stressful events or peer pressure.
User Persona
User Flow
Our process started with formulating a couple of personas to help guide the content of the app. By creating personas on our target users, we were able to view from the user’s perspective to meet their needs and prioritized features.
Paper Prototype
I started iterating on the wireframe design by conducting the preliminary usability testing. The users provided feedbacks on accessibility, readability, and usability of the low-fidelity prototype.
Initial Wireframes and Feedback
After completing the initial prototype, we reviewed the necessary features and identified screens that needed improvement.
By interviewing a total of 10 users, we discovered that the sobriety buddy was the highlight of the app. However, we also found that a common issue raised by users was how many expressed the desire to increase privacy. Initially, our idea was to provide an anonymous discussion forum where users could openly discuss their sobriety process. Taking their advice into consideration, we adjusted the discussion board into a private AI chatbot for users to message any questions without feeling pressured to disclose their identity or personal experiences.
We also found that integrating a gamified approach can be effective in motivating individuals during throughout their sobriety process, which utilizes game elements to engage and motivate users. Recognizing the need for more tailored gamified solutions that address the unique needs and preferences of individuals struggling with substance abuse, we made the decision to expand upon our sobriety buddy feature. This expansion aims to heighten motivation and anticipation among users by incorporating additional features that foster a supportive and interactive environment.
High-Fidelity Prototype
The Solution -
Onboarding
The onboarding screens introduce the core features of the app. During this process, users will have the opportunity to personalize their experience by selecting their sobriety buddy, choosing a preferred color palette for the app, and setting their primary goals.
SOBRIETY BUDDY FEATURE
WhatSob offers a virtual companion to support users in every step of the way on their sobriety journey. By tailoring the sobriety buddy to the user’s preference, we emphasized this gamified feature as the focal point of the user experience.
Customizable Virtual Companion
The diary is a safe and private space, serving as an emotional outlet for users to self-reflect on their sobriety journey. By utilizing the calendar, the users can stay organized and monitor their journaling progress over time.
Sobriety Diary
AI CHATBOT FEATURE
Incorporating cutting-edge AI Chatbot technology, our app offers an extra layer of support for users as they navigate any questions or obstacles that arise during their sobriety journey. The AI Chatbot is designed to provide immediate assistance and encourage users to openly express their thoughts, concerns, and challenges.
Messages
Style Guide
Retrospective
The focus of this project was to concentrate on a specific task: building a design system from start to finish. As we delved into the emphasizing and ideation phase, our team had the chance to generate numerous ideas that helped us come up with the solution for substance abuse. Throughout this project, I acquired a variety of transferable skill sets, including proficiency in user research and usability testing, that I could apply to my future projects. I also enjoyed working with my group members who are from diverse backgrounds, which helped me fuel my creative juices in the design process.
Being intentional
As our project involved addressing a problem that was relatively unfamiliar to us, I gained a profound understanding of the important role interview play in comprehending the users’ perspective and navigating the project through the lens of our stakeholders’ personal experiences. Thereby, our design must prioritize effectiveness and empathy by delivering the message to our audience and user group with utmost clarity.
Communication is key
Throughout the design process, our team encountered several situations where diverse ideas and suggestions for our app. I found that communicating our thoughts, feelings, and empathizing with one another played a pivotal role in enhancing our team chemistry as the quarter progressed. Moreover, the group project has taught me the value of transparent thinking and articulating my ideas patiently and appreciatively while considering the perspectives of others.