The Problem
In the winter months people tend to face challenges and frustrations and struggle with the logistical issues associated with colder weather. The desire to be part of a community in colder months clashes with the tendency to become insular, contributing to a sense of isolation and potential depression. The user recognizes the mental block preventing them from being active outdoors during winter, exacerbated by shorter days and increased darkness. This complex set of challenges necessitates a solution that not only addresses the practical aspects of winter but also promotes mental well-being, social engagement, and motivation to embrace the season more enjoyably.
After conducting user interviews and reflecting about my own experience, I wanted to design for our fellow classmate who struggles to find time in the winter to go outside. I wanted to create a digital solution to help students seek solutions to their challenges in the winter.
Understanding The User
I wish winter was
more enjoyable
Define
Industry Research
User interviews
Empathy Maps
Persona
POV statements
HMW questions
Brainstorming
Crazy 8s
Solution Sketches
Feature List
UI Brainstorm
Grayscales
Hi-Fi Prototype
Next Steps
Key Takeaways
RESEARCH
DEFINE
IDEATE
REFLECT
PROTOTYPE
The concept of sunlight and its impact on well-being, particularly during the winter months, presents a compelling avenue for further study. While the initial design challenge highlighted the significance of addressing seasonal challenges and promoting outdoor activities, a more in-depth examination is essential. Further research could delve into the psychological and physiological aspects of sunlight exposure, exploring its role in combating feelings of isolation, boosting mood, and potentially mitigating conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Understanding the nuanced relationship between sunlight, mental health, and overall winter experience can inform the development of more targeted interventions and solutions.
Further iterating this design and conducting user testing and accessibility testing are crucial next steps in refining the app's design and functionality. As this project originated as a design challenge, real-world user feedback becomes invaluable for optimizing the app's effectiveness and user experience. By incorporating user perspectives and ensuring accessibility, the app can evolve into a more robust and user-friendly solution for enhancing the winter experience.
Key Takeaways
Project Overview
Team
Individual
24 hours
This project was a design challenge application to DALI lab at Dartmouth college. The prompt was: Every season (e.g., summer, fall, winter, spring) comes with its own set of difficulties. Pick a seasonal problem, inconvenience, or annoyance and design a solution for it.
UI/UX Design
User Research
Skills
Duration
Feature Hierarchy
Community
The Exposure To Sunlight
Creating a feature hierarchy was a difficult design process as I wanted to emphasize community and individual light intake goals, while providing the user with the correct resources. As this idea would develop, there would be developed guided walks and different resources on the hope page for the user to be able to go outside. There is also registered events on the bottom of the home page to remind the user of their commitments.
I wanted the aspect of community to encourage the user to go outside. I provided a segmented control with the option to search through events during high sunlight and all events. There is an option to add an event at the bottom of the page and join any event. This join would add it to your home page.
The reduced exposure to sunlight during the winter months emerged as a significant factor contributing to the user's diminished enjoyment of winter. The impact of shorter days and decreased sunlight on mood and well-being was present in the user interviews, and is often associated with conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). However, further research into this concept is necessary, considering its potential implications for mental health and overall winter experience and the lack of time taken to implement this solution into the design.
Key Design Decisions
Brighter Days
A mobile app that aims to help people combat SAD by going outside when there is maximum light.
Brighter Days
Personalized Goals
Suggested Activities during peak sunlight
A solution to the darker winter months that can induce SAD by encouraging the user by notifying them of the peak sunlight each day with promted activities.
Emma Sinclair
Is social and active outside in non-winter months
Frustrated with...
The shorter days and lack of vitamin D that affect her mental and physical health
Feeling unmotivated to be outside
Being antisocial in the winter term
Goals are to...
Find more activities outside
Be more social in the winter months
Targeted User Persona
Kenzie (F): 18-25 yrs old
I interviewed students from Dartmouth College. The interviews revealed a common trend to find more motivation to go outside in the winter months. The users struggled with being social as they wanted to stay inside due to the darkness and weather. They lacked confidence in facing winter challenges because they originally grew up in warmer states in the south and west, and wanted to find solutions.
I wanted to enhance these students’ experiences in winter and allow them to enjoy their time outside with the help of their friends. From personal experience, if I am feeling unmotivated and a friend asks me to join them it benefits not only my mental health as I get social time, but encourages me to do activities that I normally wouldn't do. My goal was to create an experience that encourages the user from multiple directions to be successful in the winter, and enjoy the season more.
Key Quotes
Bringing Light into the lives of antisocial students
“Transitioning from a warm place was very hard... the winter is not accommodating for my lifestyle”
“Dartmouth could do something to encourage students to be outside”
“I am always sick in the winter, antisocial, and spend a lack of time outside”
How might we increase physical activity and community in the winter to make it more enjoyable overall?
Solution
Brighter Days
An application for phones inspiring users to enjoy their time outside with the community.
The process
With a college student in mind I wanted create an app that is visually appealing, fun, and bright, providing a cheerful atmosphere for users each time they open the app. Simplicity was a key consideration to ensure that the user interface remains straightforward and easy to navigate, preventing any potential feelings of overwhelm. The goal was to strike a balance between vibrant and uncomplicated design, enhancing the overall user enjoyment and encouraging frequent interaction with the app.
Narrowing Down the Solution
Crazy 8’s
Flow Sketches
Low-Fi Grayscales
Hi-Fi Prototype
