Heroes Need Saving Too
BREif
RescYou, bridges the gap for EMS workers hesitant to seek available resources. This digital tool supports mental health by minimizing depression and PTSD in a non-intrusive, community-oriented manner. This is achieved via smart watch, supportive forums and resources.
Final Prototype
WINNER
st
1
Purposeful
InnovationSolving real-world problems with meaningful digital solutions
Role
As part of the design team for this project, I played a multifaceted role that combined research, ideation, and design. As a UX Researcher, I collaborated with colleagues to gather valuable insights about first responders through A/B testing and user interviews, ensuring the product addressed their unique needs. In my role as an Iterator, I contributed innovative ideas that shaped the development of the final product and its key features. Finally, as a UX Designer, I focused on crafting typography, color schemes, and layouts in Figma, delivering development-ready designs optimized for deployment.
PRoblem
Stress and anxiety are pervasive issues, particularly among students and professionals facing high-pressure environments. Existing tools often fail to provide a discreet, effective solution that integrates seamlessly into users' routines. The initial programming-first approach highlighted a gap: the need for a design-first methodology to ensure the widget delivers on user expectations and engagement.
SOLUTION
Fidget Widget evolved into a design-first product, focusing on intuitive, user-approved interactions that leverage advanced haptic feedback. By prioritizing research and iterative design, the widget offers a non-distracting, tactile solution for managing stress, improving focus, and fostering creativity. Key interactions, such as Button and Elastic, provide satisfying tactile experiences, aligning with the core goals of enhancing mental well-being and cognitive function.
DEFINE
Emergency service workers face a mental health crisis exacerbated by the stigma of seeking support. With depression and PTSD rates five times higher than the general population and suicides surpassing line-of-duty deaths, it became clear that first responders' mental well-being was being neglected.
Despite providing critical services during disasters, EMS professionals often lack adequate access to preventative mental health care.
Our team aimed to address these issues by developing a digital solution that supports the mental health of first responders and fosters a community-driven approach.
RescYou focuses on minimizing stress and mental health decline in both employed professionals and volunteers alike
Research
To better understand the mental health challenges faced by first responders, we conducted extensive research using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Qualitative Research: Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth insights into the experiences and needs of EMS workers, focusing on the stigma surrounding mental health support, coping mechanisms, and organizational barriers.
Quantitative Research: Surveys and statistical data from credible organizations were analyzed to explore patterns in mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression, alongside coping strategies.
Key findings revealed a lack of proactive mental health resources, limited organizational support, and high rates of burnout and stress-related health issues. These findings shaped the core features of **RescYou** by addressing stigma, increasing accessibility, and incorporating peer and professional support systems.
DESIGN
Our design process translated research insights into actionable solutions using Figma. The UI/UX design focused on creating a welcoming and accessible interface with the following core elements:
- Typography and Layouts: Easy-to-read fonts and intuitive layouts ensure users can access resources under stress.
- Color Schemes: Calming tones reduce anxiety while remaining professional.
- Features: Designs included anonymous peer chatrooms, stress-level tracking via smartwatches, wellness tracking dashboards, and easy access to mental health resources.
Collaborative ideation led to development-ready prototypes that emphasized usability and inclusivity.
TEST
Testing involved A/B testing and usability interviews with first responders and EMS professionals. Feedback highlighted preferences for anonymous peer support and real-time stress alerts.
Challenges included ensuring data privacy and simplifying navigation for users under duress. Iterative improvements addressed these concerns, ensuring that the design resonated with the target audience while meeting accessibility and functionality goals.
Iterate
Post-testing iterations focused on refining features and workflows to improve engagement and reduce stigma. Based on feedback, we enhanced the app by:
- Streamlining access to professional resources.
- Improving smartwatch integrations for more accurate stress tracking.
- Expanding community-building tools, such as customizable support groups.
These refinements aligned the product with user needs, creating a comprehensive and user-friendly solution.
DEFINE
Emergency service workers face a mental health crisis exacerbated by the stigma of seeking support. With depression and PTSD rates five times higher than the general population and suicides surpassing line-of-duty deaths, it became clear that first responders' mental well-being was being neglected.
Despite providing critical services during disasters, EMS professionals often lack adequate access to preventative mental health care.
Our team aimed to address these issues by developing a digital solution that supports the mental health of first responders and fosters a community-driven approach.
RescYou focuses on minimizing stress and mental health decline in both employed professionals and volunteers alike
Research
To better understand the mental health challenges faced by first responders, we conducted extensive research using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Qualitative Research: Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth insights into the experiences and needs of EMS workers, focusing on the stigma surrounding mental health support, coping mechanisms, and organizational barriers.
Quantitative Research: Surveys and statistical data from credible organizations were analyzed to explore patterns in mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression, alongside coping strategies.
Key findings revealed a lack of proactive mental health resources, limited organizational support, and high rates of burnout and stress-related health issues. These findings shaped the core features of **RescYou** by addressing stigma, increasing accessibility, and incorporating peer and professional support systems.
DESIGN
Our design process translated research insights into actionable solutions using Figma. The UI/UX design focused on creating a welcoming and accessible interface with the following core elements:
- Typography and Layouts: Easy-to-read fonts and intuitive layouts ensure users can access resources under stress.
- Color Schemes: Calming tones reduce anxiety while remaining professional.
- Features: Designs included anonymous peer chatrooms, stress-level tracking via smartwatches, wellness tracking dashboards, and easy access to mental health resources.
Collaborative ideation led to development-ready prototypes that emphasized usability and inclusivity.
TEST
Testing involved A/B testing and usability interviews with first responders and EMS professionals. Feedback highlighted preferences for anonymous peer support and real-time stress alerts.
Challenges included ensuring data privacy and simplifying navigation for users under duress. Iterative improvements addressed these concerns, ensuring that the design resonated with the target audience while meeting accessibility and functionality goals.
Iterate
Post-testing iterations focused on refining features and workflows to improve engagement and reduce stigma. Based on feedback, we enhanced the app by:
- Streamlining access to professional resources.
- Improving smartwatch integrations for more accurate stress tracking.
- Expanding community-building tools, such as customizable support groups.
These refinements aligned the product with user needs, creating a comprehensive and user-friendly solution.
DEFINE
Emergency service workers face a mental health crisis exacerbated by the stigma of seeking support. With depression and PTSD rates five times higher than the general population and suicides surpassing line-of-duty deaths, it became clear that first responders' mental well-being was being neglected.
Despite providing critical services during disasters, EMS professionals often lack adequate access to preventative mental health care.
Our team aimed to address these issues by developing a digital solution that supports the mental health of first responders and fosters a community-driven approach.
RescYou focuses on minimizing stress and mental health decline in both employed professionals and volunteers alike
Research
To better understand the mental health challenges faced by first responders, we conducted extensive research using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Qualitative Research: Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth insights into the experiences and needs of EMS workers, focusing on the stigma surrounding mental health support, coping mechanisms, and organizational barriers.
Quantitative Research: Surveys and statistical data from credible organizations were analyzed to explore patterns in mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression, alongside coping strategies.
Key findings revealed a lack of proactive mental health resources, limited organizational support, and high rates of burnout and stress-related health issues. These findings shaped the core features of **RescYou** by addressing stigma, increasing accessibility, and incorporating peer and professional support systems.
DESIGN
Our design process translated research insights into actionable solutions using Figma. The UI/UX design focused on creating a welcoming and accessible interface with the following core elements:
- Typography and Layouts: Easy-to-read fonts and intuitive layouts ensure users can access resources under stress.
- Color Schemes: Calming tones reduce anxiety while remaining professional.
- Features: Designs included anonymous peer chatrooms, stress-level tracking via smartwatches, wellness tracking dashboards, and easy access to mental health resources.
Collaborative ideation led to development-ready prototypes that emphasized usability and inclusivity.
TEST
Testing involved A/B testing and usability interviews with first responders and EMS professionals. Feedback highlighted preferences for anonymous peer support and real-time stress alerts.
Challenges included ensuring data privacy and simplifying navigation for users under duress. Iterative improvements addressed these concerns, ensuring that the design resonated with the target audience while meeting accessibility and functionality goals.
Iterate
Post-testing iterations focused on refining features and workflows to improve engagement and reduce stigma. Based on feedback, we enhanced the app by:
- Streamlining access to professional resources.
- Improving smartwatch integrations for more accurate stress tracking.
- Expanding community-building tools, such as customizable support groups.
These refinements aligned the product with user needs, creating a comprehensive and user-friendly solution.
DEFINE
Emergency service workers face a mental health crisis exacerbated by the stigma of seeking support. With depression and PTSD rates five times higher than the general population and suicides surpassing line-of-duty deaths, it became clear that first responders' mental well-being was being neglected.
Despite providing critical services during disasters, EMS professionals often lack adequate access to preventative mental health care.
Our team aimed to address these issues by developing a digital solution that supports the mental health of first responders and fosters a community-driven approach.
RescYou focuses on minimizing stress and mental health decline in both employed professionals and volunteers alike
Research
To better understand the mental health challenges faced by first responders, we conducted extensive research using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Qualitative Research: Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth insights into the experiences and needs of EMS workers, focusing on the stigma surrounding mental health support, coping mechanisms, and organizational barriers.
Quantitative Research: Surveys and statistical data from credible organizations were analyzed to explore patterns in mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression, alongside coping strategies.
Key findings revealed a lack of proactive mental health resources, limited organizational support, and high rates of burnout and stress-related health issues. These findings shaped the core features of **RescYou** by addressing stigma, increasing accessibility, and incorporating peer and professional support systems.
DESIGN
Our design process translated research insights into actionable solutions using Figma. The UI/UX design focused on creating a welcoming and accessible interface with the following core elements:
- Typography and Layouts: Easy-to-read fonts and intuitive layouts ensure users can access resources under stress.
- Color Schemes: Calming tones reduce anxiety while remaining professional.
- Features: Designs included anonymous peer chatrooms, stress-level tracking via smartwatches, wellness tracking dashboards, and easy access to mental health resources.
Collaborative ideation led to development-ready prototypes that emphasized usability and inclusivity.
TEST
Testing involved A/B testing and usability interviews with first responders and EMS professionals. Feedback highlighted preferences for anonymous peer support and real-time stress alerts.
Challenges included ensuring data privacy and simplifying navigation for users under duress. Iterative improvements addressed these concerns, ensuring that the design resonated with the target audience while meeting accessibility and functionality goals.
Iterate
Post-testing iterations focused on refining features and workflows to improve engagement and reduce stigma. Based on feedback, we enhanced the app by:
- Streamlining access to professional resources.
- Improving smartwatch integrations for more accurate stress tracking.
- Expanding community-building tools, such as customizable support groups.
These refinements aligned the product with user needs, creating a comprehensive and user-friendly solution.
Low Fidelity
Mid Fidelity
High Fidelity
Watch & Function
Phone Prototype
Try Prototype
Watch Prototype
