Happy Hearts
Context.
During a 48-hour hackathon, our team explored ways to improve engagement on a socially sensitive mental health platform while ensuring user anonymity. The challenge was to encourage people to share personal experiences without feeling exposed or disconnected.
Happy Hearts is designed to support individuals through peer-to-peer storytelling while providing policymakers with insights to improve mental health services.
Our solution introduced a hybrid chatbot assistant to connect users with shared experiences, an anonymous messenger to facilitate safe and meaningful conversations, and interactive content features to encourage engagement and community support.
Client : Happy Hearts
[Client’s name and logo have been changed for copyright purposes]
Type : Hack-a-thon
Duration : 48 hours
Role : UX/UI Designer
Team : 2 members
Building design model in a limited time.
As it was a 48-hour design Hack-a-thon, we made a tight schedule which included user background study, journey map, problem definition, ideation process, wireframe sketching, prototypes, and pitch preparation.
Due to the time limitation, we did not get the chance to conduct the usability tests and iterate, but we would definitely include those process in the future steps.
Problem Space.
Using a chatbot to provide support for individuals struggling with mental distress can be perceived as cold and unhelpful.
The lack of human interaction may make people feel disconnected and unheard, especially during times of emotional vulnerability.
A socially sensitive platform that requires users to share their personal stories publicly faces challenges related to interactivity and content conversion.
The nature of the platform requires higher level of engagement from users, but it is difficult to achieve due to the sensitive nature of the topics being discussed.
Requiring users to publicly link their identity with sharing their mental health problems is ineffective on a social media platform.
As for many people, anonymity is a crucial factor in feeling comfortable sharing their experiences and seeking support online.
Ideation Process.
Our Solution.
A hybrid Chatbot assistant to match users.
Through initial support by a friendly chatbot Vera to match their situation with someone with similar values and transfer to a relevant human connection.
An anonymous messenger for people.
Connecting like-minded people with minigames for icebreakers and exercises to improve their mental struggles together, and share their stories personally.
Seamless Content generation.
Let users post their shared progress and display their milestones, stories and common connections. Encouraging other users to connect and also share.
USER FLOW
FAST ITERATIONS
We did multiple mockups of the product starting from initial solution sketching to high fidelity prototypes in five hours. Because of the limited time at hand, we focused on the major features and user flows in the system which would be sufficient for final presentations and usability studies. If we had more time, we would have mocked up the end-to-end flow, to gain a holistic understanding of the user experience.
INITIAL SKETCHES
MID-FI WIREFRAMES
BRAND GUIDE
Step 1 : Vera shows users app features and invites them to take a survey.
Step 2 : Vera recommends connecting with other users who face similar challenges.
Step 3 : The user selects a relevant person to connect with, and they start with some games and exercises to break the ice.
Step 4 : The users connect and grow together, sharing their stories and milestones they achieve along the way.
The ice-breaking games and anonymous chatting are the main features of the app that encourage users to connect with like-minded people and make friends.
Users create stories through conversation and help generate positivity in the community.
The user interface is designed in a way that reforms opening up, giving individuals seamless support and expression over their stories.
Users are encouraged to share their progress together and help others with relevant resources.
Takeaways.
• Designing for Sensitive Topics Requires Care
Working on a mental health platform reinforced the importance of building trust through thoughtful design. Providing anonymity and a sense of human connection were crucial in making users feel safe and heard.
• Balancing Automation with Human Connection
While chatbots can enhance accessibility, they can also feel impersonal. Finding the right balance between automation and human interaction was key to improving engagement and support.
• Encouraging Participation through Interaction
Engagement isn’t just about providing a space to share—it’s about making the experience meaningful. Features like icebreakers and progress-sharing helped foster a sense of community while maintaining user comfort.
• Collaboration Under Tight Deadlines
The hackathon environment pushed me to rapidly prototype and iterate while working closely with a diverse team. It reinforced the value of quick decision-making and adaptability in design.