I designed this project as my entry for the Microsoft Design Challenge 2022, well-being, which everyone needs to keep in mind is an important part of our life, mental or physical. So, I present Jaya.

Problem Statement

The objective was to identify an issue in the field of “Well Being” and create a product utilising human-centered design methodologies to promote well-being and assist an individual in producing an effective output using digital technology.

Identified Problem

People are putting in an excessive amount of screen time as a result of this work from home environment and everything being online, affecting mental health problems as well as physical well-being.

Product Video

Design Process

For this project, I followed the double diamond design model:

• User Research (Search of new questions)
• Define Problem (Synthesized knowledge into insight)
• Brainstorm Ideas (Explore the best potential solutions)
• Ideate and design final soultion (Creating and optimising working product)

Double diamond design model

User Research

To get a better understanding of the situation, I read a lot of articles and papers about well-being, mental health, and the integration of well-being with technology on health websites, news channel websites, organizational websites, and more.

• As per a study, working from home “increased work expectations and distractions, reduced our communications with co-workers, and ultimately lessened our productivity.”
• The quality of your home workspace is important; having a dedicated workspace signals to others that you are busy, minimizes the chances of being distracted and interrupted.
• Increased satisfaction with the environmental quality factors in your workspace, such as lighting, temperature, is associated with a lower chance of having new health issues. Also, knowing how to adjust your workspace helps with physical health.”
• In its most recent study on remote work, it says those who work from home are actually more likely to experience burnout. Some 66 percent of remote tech professionals say they’re fried, compared to 64 percent who go into an office daily.
• A staggering 82 percent of stateside remote-working professionals feel burnt out. When asked why they felt that way, 52 percent of remote employees said they end up working longer hours; meanwhile, 40 percent said they felt as though they were expected to contribute more.
• Isolation can be a major source of burnout among remote employees.

Qualitative Research

I performed a few in-depth interviews with potential users to better understand their perspectives, pain points, and needs and requirements.

“I am missing out on all the fun, and interaction I can have in office because of this remote situation, and I am not forming any new connections.”

“After a long screen time I go for a walk, whenever I can, which is rare now-a-days. If nothing then I just with eyes closed for few seconds.”

“Whenever I feel low, I talk to my friends. They make me realize that I’m not alone in the situation.”

Quantitative Research

I also used Google Forms to conduct a survey of a few employees and working professionals in India. The purpose was to gain insight into their mental health and learn about their viewpoints on work from home.

User Persona

Based on the study findings from the user interview, I created a proto-persona. Personas simplified the design process at hand and aided in the achievement of the objective of generating a good user experience for the target user group. Using these personas, all design decisions can be assessed and reevaluated while keeping the user and their perspective in mind.

User Persona

Proposed Solution

Following the definition of a solution area, I envisioned four elements that would address the previously identified problems.

• Stories - Stay aware of everything that goes on in healthcare.
• Health - Get notified with interactive tasks, whenever you feel down.
• Chat - Engage your coworkers in a heart-to-heart, don’t be shy.
• Support Groups - Join support groups, be open, and express your emotions.

Proposed Solution

Information Architecture

Information Architecture

Low-fidelity Wireframes

Here, I created a few low fidelity wireframes that helped me visualize the solutions to the problems that users have and helped me in attaining the goal of making a good user experience for them.

Low-fidelity wireframes

High-fidelity Prototypes

Home

• Home screen showing navigations to all highlight features of the application.
• Smooth navigation accross the application, no compications.
• Simple, elegant use of illustrations to lighten or calm the mood.

StoriesArticle

Stories

• You don’t even have to read them, to lessen your eye strain we have installed a feature that will speak the whole article.
• Get latest updates related to healthcare, at one place.

Health

Health

• This section is referred to as “Health” since it immediately, and without any inconvenience to you, improves your health.
• Allow it to access your camera, and it will inform you if you are fatigued, how your mood is?, everytime you access your camera, and it will also recommend activities to help you get better depending on the scenario.
• Give us access to your headsets, and we’ll tell you how long you’ve been straining your ears nonstop, and what you should do now to lighten up.
• Allow it to monitor your screen; it will assess your screen time and recommend ways to improve it. It will also remind you to take breaks and relax.

Chats

Chats

• Engage in group chats with your colleagues, broaden your connections.
• Work on projects, brainstorm ideas with your teams.
• Have heart-to-heart with people, as if they are in right there with you.

Support GroupsGroup ChatStage

Support groups

• Providing many types of support groups, join whichever you connect to.
• These support groups are completely anonymous.
• People who join these groups are suffering form situatuion similar to yours. Connect with them, help them too.
• Talk with them over group chats or live face to face meetings.

Account

Account

• Access your profile, add or update your personal details.
• Invite colleagues to join you in chats.

Conclusion

Our application, Jaya, will redefine digital well-being and will ensure that people don’t overdo themselves and stay aware of their technolgy usage. The workplace groups feature will help us stay connected with our colleagues.
The support group feature enables people to talk about their issues without any fear of feeling exposed or ashamed, with other members facing similar difficulties. People will know that there is nothing wrong with talking about our challenges with other people, it only helps us grow.

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