EBI (Emotional Baggage Interface)
EBI (Emotional Baggage Interface)
Facilitating deeper self-reflection through AI-powered interactive journaling, offering guided prompts and personalized insights
Facilitating deeper self-reflection through AI-powered interactive journaling, offering guided prompts and personalized insights
As part of the Build for Good hackathon organised by Open Government Products, our team identified a pressing need in the mental health space; the information discontinuity therapy seekers face between sessions and even different therapists. We eventually emerged as one of the top five finalists, receiving funding and participating in an accelerator program to further develop EBI in the next 2 months.
As part of the Build for Good hackathon organised by Open Government Products, our team identified a pressing need in the mental health space; the information discontinuity therapy seekers face between sessions and even different therapists. We eventually emerged as one of the top five finalists, receiving funding and participating in an accelerator program to further develop EBI in the next 2 months.
My Contributions
My Contributions
User Research, User Testing, UIUX Design, Prototyping
User Research, User Testing, UIUX Design, Prototyping
Team
Team
Richard Xiong, Jackie Tan, Joshua Lai, Ian Ho
Richard Xiong, Jackie Tan, Joshua Lai, Ian Ho
Timeline
Timeline
3 months
3 months
Project summary
Project summary
Problem
Problem
For those seeking mental health support, progress is often a non-linear journey. While journaling is a common tool individuals use to record their thoughts and feelings for self-reflection and sharing their experiences with others, it often falls short. Many find journaling challenging at times, struggling with writer's block or lacking a way to efficiently share all their entries.
For those seeking mental health support, progress is often a non-linear journey. While journaling is a common tool individuals use to record their thoughts and feelings for self-reflection and sharing their experiences with others, it often falls short. Many find journaling challenging at times, struggling with writer's block or lacking a way to efficiently share all their entries.
Solution
Solution
EBI, an AI-powered journaling application, captures a consistent and accessible record for individuals through guided and interactive prompts. This allows users to articulate their thoughts and feelings more effectively, promoting deeper self-reflection and allowing them to monitor their progress over time.
EBI, an AI-powered journaling application, captures a consistent and accessible record for individuals through guided and interactive prompts. This allows users to articulate their thoughts and feelings more effectively, promoting deeper self-reflection and allowing them to monitor their progress over time.
Impact
Impact
As of November 2024, 1 month post-launch:
As of November 2024, 1 month post-launch:
Top 5
Top 5
winning teams awarded $20,00 in funding out of 23 teams
winning teams awarded $20,00 in funding out of 23 teams
140
140
users onboarded within 1 month of launch
users onboarded within 1 month of launch
88.8%
88.8%
of user testers felt this app would greatly benefit their mental health journey
of user testers felt this app would greatly benefit their mental health journey
My contribution
My contribution
As the sole designer in the team, I was in charge of all the design work including user flow, prototypes, UI design. I also led the research, and testing efforts by conducting online interviews and user testing as well as distillation of insights.
As the sole designer in the team, I was in charge of all the design work including user flow, prototypes, UI design. I also led the research, and testing efforts by conducting online interviews and user testing as well as distillation of insights.
Background
Background
Mental health is a growing concern among youth in Singapore
Mental health is a growing concern among youth in Singapore
As part of the hackathon, I had the privilege of engaging with a diverse range of industry experts. Among them, the mental health domain resonated deeply with me, drawing on my own experiences as a former healthcare professional.
As part of the hackathon, I had the privilege of engaging with a diverse range of industry experts. Among them, the mental health domain resonated deeply with me, drawing on my own experiences as a former healthcare professional.
Mental health challenges affect a significant portion of the population, and accessible support is crucial for well-being. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. As part of CBT, journaling is often recommended to facilitate self-reflection and track progress. However, when journaling tools are ineffective, they can lead to frustration and hinder progress.
Mental health challenges affect a significant portion of the population, and accessible support is crucial for well-being. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. As part of CBT, journaling is often recommended to facilitate self-reflection and track progress. However, when journaling tools are ineffective, they can lead to frustration and hinder progress.
1 in 3
1 in 3
youth aged 15 - 35 reported very poor mental health
youth aged 15 - 35 reported very poor mental health
Problem discovery
Problem discovery
Ownership of journaling is largely owned by individuals rather than therapists
Ownership of journaling is largely owned by individuals rather than therapists
To understand more about the role of journaling in therapy, we spoke to 4 therapists from various practices. Our initial assumptions were twofold:
To understand more about the role of journaling in therapy, we spoke to 4 therapists from various practices. Our initial assumptions were twofold:
Therapists frequently assigned journaling as a form of 'homework' and actively monitored the progress.
Therapists could be a valuable channel for widening our reach compared to targeting individual users.
However, our findings revealed a more nuanced reality.We discovered that, while therapists recognize the potential benefits of journaling, it is rarely a mandated practice. Instead, it is employed selectively, tailored to individual client needs and preferences. Therapists emphasized that journaling is one tool among a diverse arsenal, and its efficacy varies significantly.
However, our findings revealed a more nuanced reality.We discovered that, while therapists recognize the potential benefits of journaling, it is rarely a mandated practice. Instead, it is employed selectively, tailored to individual client needs and preferences. Therapists emphasized that journaling is one tool among a diverse arsenal, and its efficacy varies significantly.
This insight led us to pivot our focus, recognizing that directly targeting individuals would allow us to create the most impactful and accessible solution. By prioritizing the end-user experience, we aimed to build a strong user base by directly empowering individuals to take control of their self-reflection and progress.
This insight led us to pivot our focus, recognizing that directly targeting individuals would allow us to create the most impactful and accessible solution. By prioritizing the end-user experience, we aimed to build a strong user base by directly empowering individuals to take control of their self-reflection and progress.
Insights
Insights
Refining our focus from therapists to individuals
Refining our focus from therapists to individuals
To understand the needs and behaviors of our target users, we conducted online interviews with 16 individuals who have sought or are currently seeking therapy, and/or have experience with journaling (including those who have stopped recently).
Our analysis revealed several key themes:
Challenges with habit formation
Users frequently cited feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin with journaling. Some also described journaling as feeling like a chore, hindering its therapeutic value.
Users frequently cited feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin with journaling. Some also described journaling as feeling like a chore, hindering its therapeutic value.
Desire for deeper insights and reflection
Users expressed a strong need for tools that provide deeper insights into their thoughts and feelings, including identifying trends they might not otherwise recognize. Tracking progress, both positive and negative, was also highly valued.
Users expressed a strong need for tools that provide deeper insights into their thoughts and feelings, including identifying trends they might not otherwise recognize. Tracking progress, both positive and negative, was also highly valued.
Need for social connection
Users desired opportunities to share their stories and reflect with others. Limited time with therapists was a recurring concern, highlighting a need for alternative avenues for connection and support.
Users desired opportunities to share their stories and reflect with others. Limited time with therapists was a recurring concern, highlighting a need for alternative avenues for connection and support.
Based on our findings, 3 key personas emerged:
AMY
AMY
Recently started a demanding new job, leading to increased stress and limited time.
Struggles with anxiety, particularly related to work-life balance.
Recently started journaling as it was recommended by her therapist.
Recently started a demanding new job, leading to increased stress and limited time.
Struggles with anxiety, particularly related to work-life balance.
Recently started journaling as it was recommended by her therapist.
Pain points
Pain points
Enjoys journaling but finds it hard to get started sometimes.
Struggles to put her thoughts into words.
Wants to share her journal entries with her therapist but is often unable to due to time constraints.
Enjoys journaling but finds it hard to get started sometimes.
Struggles to put her thoughts into words.
Wants to share her journal entries with her therapist but is often unable to due to time constraints.
BEN
BEN
Recently broke up with his girlfriend.
Prefers talking about his feelings rather than writing them down.
Doesn’t journal regularly, only when something happens.
Recently broke up with his girlfriend.
Prefers talking about his feelings rather than writing them down.
Doesn’t journal regularly, only when something happens.
Pain points
Pain points
Struggles with writing down his feelings, prefers talking instead.
Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings.
Struggling to find a safe and accessible outlet for his emotions as he does not want to burden his friends.
Struggles with writing down his feelings, prefers talking instead.
Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings.
Struggling to find a safe and accessible outlet for his emotions as he does not want to burden his friends.
CLAIRE
CLAIRE
Recently moved to a new country by herself.
Uses journaling as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.
Enjoys exploring different journaling techniques and prompts.
Recently moved to a new country by herself.
Uses journaling as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.
Enjoys exploring different journaling techniques and prompts.
Pain points
Pain points
Feeling limited by the features of existing journaling tools.
Spending too much time searching for prompts online.
Challenges with identifying trends across time to gain deeper insights.
Feeling limited by the features of existing journaling tools.
Spending too much time searching for prompts online.
Challenges with identifying trends across time to gain deeper insights.
Problem statement
Problem statement
How might we empower individuals to better capture their thoughts for sharing and self-reflection?
How might we empower individuals to better capture their thoughts for sharing and self-reflection?
Key features
Key features
A mental health companion that tracks your progress
A mental health companion that tracks your progress
Based on our research, we designed EBI to empower users in their journaling practice. By combining guided prompts with a conversational chatbot, EBI helps users overcome writer's block, explore their thoughts and feelings more effectively, and gain deeper insights into their experiences. EBI aims to make journaling more accessible, engaging, and ultimately, more beneficial for self-reflection and personal growth.
WHY THE NAME EBI?
WHY THE NAME EBI?
EBI was chosen as an acronym for Emotional Baggage Interface, offering a subtle and approachable way to describe our app's purpose. Additionally, the Japanese word 'ebi (えび)' translates to 'prawn,' adding a touch of whimsy and relatability to our mascot.
EBI was chosen as an acronym for Emotional Baggage Interface, offering a subtle and approachable way to describe our app's purpose. Additionally, the Japanese word 'ebi (えび)' translates to 'prawn,' adding a touch of whimsy and relatability to our mascot.
Choice of entry modes catering to different preferences
Choice of entry modes catering to different preferences
Journal
Journal
Most similar to traditional journaling where subtle prompts offer gentle guidance only when triggered by users.
Most similar to traditional journaling where subtle prompts offer gentle guidance only when triggered by users.
Chat
Chat
For those who are less familiar with journaling, this alternative helps users discover new perspectives on their thoughts and feelings through engaging in natural conversations.
For those who are less familiar with journaling, this alternative helps users discover new perspectives on their thoughts and feelings through engaging in natural conversations.
Voice
Voice
For users who find it easier to express themselves verbally, they can let their thoughts flow freely with real-time voice journaling in a familiar Singlish accent.
For users who find it easier to express themselves verbally, they can let their thoughts flow freely with real-time voice journaling in a familiar Singlish accent.
Play the video above to see EBI in action! (36 seconds) 🔊
Play the video above to see EBI in action! (36 seconds) 🔊
Safety first
Safety first
While the app may engage in human-like conversation, it is not a substitute for a therapist and cannot provide professional advice. To prevent harmful interactions. safeguards were put in place to remind users to seek professional help when in need.
While the app may engage in human-like conversation, it is not a substitute for a therapist and cannot provide professional advice. To prevent harmful interactions. safeguards were put in place to remind users to seek professional help when in need.
Receive key insights for each entry
Receive key insights for each entry
Receive key insights for each entry
After completing an entry, a concise summary is generated highlighting important themes, emotions, and patterns.
After completing an entry, a concise summary is generated highlighting important themes, emotions, and patterns.
After completing an entry, a concise summary is generated highlighting important themes, emotions, and patterns.
Generate personalised summaries for self-reflection or sharing
Generate personalised summaries for self-reflection or sharing
Once they have sufficient entries, users can easily generate summaries to gain valuable insights into their mental wellness journey. These summaries can be used for self-reflection or shared with their therapist to improve communication. Each point in the summary links back to the original journal entry, accessible by tapping on the # icon.
Once they have sufficient entries, users can easily generate summaries to gain valuable insights into their mental wellness journey. These summaries can be used for self-reflection or shared with their therapist to improve communication. Each point in the summary links back to the original journal entry, accessible by tapping on the # icon.
Style Guide
Style Guide
Colors
Colors
Primary
Secondary
Neutrals
Typography
Typography
Buttons
Buttons
COMPONENTS
COMPONENTS
Journal prompts
Journal prompts
Chatbot speech bubbles
Chatbot speech bubbles
Entry cards
Entry cards
user testing
Validating our solutions with real users
To ensure our solution effectively meets user needs, we conducted user testing with 9 participants from our initial interview group. In addition to formal testing sessions, we encouraged them to use the app independently over time to assess its long-term effectiveness.
Through this process, we identified a few usability issues:
Journal
Users attempted to tap the "Inspire Me" button before writing any content, but it is designed to be only activated after text input.
Chat
Users reported that it felt like a "never-ending conversation" due to the chatbot's persistent follow-up questions.
Voice
Due to technical limitations, there a 15-minute time limit after which reconnection is required although the conversation is still saved. This was perceived by some users as an error.
Additionally, we also received some positive feedback:
8 out of 9
felt this app would greatly benefit their mental health journey
Design iterations
Design iterations
Enhancements based on user feedback
Enhancements based on user feedback
Before
Before
Journal mode
Journal mode
Users attempted to tap the "Inspire Me" button before writing any content, but it is designed to be only activated after text input.
Users attempted to tap the "Inspire Me" button before writing any content, but it is designed to be only activated after text input.
After
After
Button is greyed out initially and only activates after the user has typed in some content. A tooltip was also introduced explaining how it works.
Button is greyed out initially and only activates after the user has typed in some content. A tooltip was also introduced explaining how it works.
Before
Before
Voice mode
Voice mode
Due to technical limitations, there a 15-minute time limit after which reconnection is required although the conversation is still saved. This was perceived by some users as an error.
Due to technical limitations, there a 15-minute time limit after which reconnection is required although the conversation is still saved. This was perceived by some users as an error.
After
After
A friendly notification appears 1 minute before expiry, giving users the option to extend their conversation. If time runs out, a playful message assures users that their progress has been saved.
A friendly notification appears 1 minute before expiry, giving users the option to extend their conversation. If time runs out, a playful message assures users that their progress has been saved.
Final designs
Final designs
Animations
Animations
Next steps
Next steps
This is only the beginning
This is only the beginning
We're thrilled to announce that our team, emerged as part of top 5 winners in the Build for Good hackathon, has received funding and will be participating in an accelerator program! This exciting opportunity will allow us to conduct further user research and develop innovative, personalized features for EBI. We're also excited to share that a public hospital has expressed interest in customizing EBI for their patients, further validating the potential of our app to make a real difference in mental health support.
We're thrilled to announce that our team, emerged as part of top 5 winners in the Build for Good hackathon, has received funding and will be participating in an accelerator program! This exciting opportunity will allow us to conduct further user research and develop innovative, personalized features for EBI. We're also excited to share that a public hospital has expressed interest in customizing EBI for their patients, further validating the potential of our app to make a real difference in mental health support.
Other resources
Other resources
Featured on Open Government Products Youtube channel
Featured on Open Government Products Youtube channel
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