GoodMood
GoodMood
The Weather Company App
Assignment — UCLA Extension
Scroll ↓
A two-week case study look into The Weather Company with the affects of weather and mental health. This project focuses on methods to help those susceptible to mental health affected by weather bring positive changes in their lifestyle to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder or other damaging mental health changes.
Summary
-
UX Designer, Researcher, UI Designer, Prototyper, Ideator
-
Figma, InVision, UserTesting, Pen & Paper
-
New Mobile App / 2-Week UCLA Extension Solo Project
Project Overview
Problem: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, majority of people were stationing themselves indoors. Unable to be outdoors, many people were being affected mentally and by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Solution: A mobile weather app from The Weather Company that features tools to combat negative mental health impacts and improve daily function.
Impact: Weather impacts can have deep long term effects that are damaging to the affected. People that live in areas that have longer gloomy months are likely to see impacts on their mental health, such as depression. Some other negative impacts can be population migration, food scarcity, loss of employment and loss of social support.
The Challenge
Everyone is at risk, but not everyone is affected equally.
— American Public Health Association (APHA)
Many people around the world are affected by weather and climate changes. The effects can impact mental health to those that are at risk:
People with mental health conditions
Pregnant/Postpartum women
Children
Economically disadvantaged
Unhoused population
Elderly
Even those less susceptible are at risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons (Mayo Clinic).
Why It Matters
“Understanding how a changing climate can impact mental health is important for minimizing adverse health impacts and equipping public health workers with the tools necessary to protect communities from negative health outcomes.”
- Nick Bradford, neefusa.org
"Limited bright sunlight means the brain isn’t sure when to get up and continues to produce low levels of melatonin, our sleep hormone, even during daytime hours. On overcast days, the brain also produces less serotonin, our happy hormone – too little and we may feel blue."
Our Mission
Discovery:
Relatively a large issue, but rarely talked about or believed to be a hoax.
"SAD affects an estimated 10 million Americans, with women four times more likely to be diagnosed with it than men." (Madeleine O'Keefe, BU.edu, 2019)
Goal: The goal of this project is to assist those with Seasonal Affective Disorder or anyone who may be affected by seasonal change. By using this app, users that are affected by SAD can seek ways to alleviate any negative emotions that come with seasonal change.
The Solution
Weather App
The weather feature on this app is pleasing to the eye, with muted colors and simple visuals to represent the weather for the moment.
Has all the weather information you may want/need.
Showcases weather data for easy access all in one app.
Profile
Within your personal profile, you have access to 3 different records:
Social: Connect with friends and family and watch their progress.
For those users that may want privacy on their activities, there would be an option to opt out in sharing data.
Stats: Keep track of your own progress.
Timeline: Look back at the activities you accomplished.
Additional Features
GoodMood features 3 different categories of activities that are proven to improve mental health:
Games: Stimulates and engages brain activity.
Exercise: Releases endorphins and promotes overall good health.
Meditation: Relaxes the mind and assists in stress-relieving.
Treatment Methods
-
Exposure to Light
Spending at least a couple of hours in the sun can improve mood
Light therapy available (at-home and more)
Opening windows and blinds can also help
-
Physical Activities
Staying active and keeping your body moving
Sweating can release endorphins
Will increase melatonin and benefit sleep
-
Communication
Connecting with friends and family can make people feel better
Communicating your thoughts to a therapist
Connecting with yourself and understanding your feelings
Meet Rebecca
“Health, both mental and physical, is the most important priority for myself. If I’m healthy, I can do anything with confidence.”
Age: 28 years old
Job: Creative Director
Location: Seattle, WA
Income: $85K
-
Bio
Rebecca is an outgoing, active woman who loves being outdoors and keeping busy. She is diagnosed with OCD and Anxiety and has to stick to her workouts for her mental health. Rebecca usually goes hiking with her closest friends and also enjoys other forms of exercise. Living in Seattle, Rebecca is aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and her mood changes depending on the weather.
-
Goals
Rebecca wants to continue a schedule of staying active, even when the weather is bad. Rebecca wants to combat SAD and does not want to let the weather bring her down. She also wants to spend time destressing from stressors in her daily life. Rebecca wants to work on her mental health and find a good balance to take care of herself during SAD months. She wants to keep herself healthy in all ways.
-
Obstacles
Rebecca finds her mood changing when the weather is bad. Because the weather in Seattle changes constantly, sometimes within hours, Rebecca finds it frustrating to plan out hiking trips with her friends. She feels that she isn’t getting enough sun and Vitamin D. During the fall and winter months, Rebecca loses motivation to meet with friends. She feels lethargic on the days she doesn’t get a workout in her schedule.
Design Concept
The design concept behind GoodMood is to be inviting to all users.
Using easy-to-read fonts and bright and cheery colors, GoodMood is an app that is simple to use and enjoyable at the same time.
Wireframes
Notification Alerts
Additionally included are the Notification features to remind the user to utilize the app when the weather is nice or not-so-nice. The banner notifications and reminders are there to assist the user in being proactive in their mental health.
The final prototype of GoodMood shows the different features that I found was necessary for a wellness app.
The Weather feature shows accurate weather data in the immediate area of the user, provided by The Weather Company.
The App features include: the aforementioned Weather, Games, Exercise, and Meditation features. Each of the features are there to give the user options to combat their seasonally affected moods.
The Personal features allow the user to keep track of their progress in using the app. They can also connect with friends and family by viewing what others have achieved and can keep each other accountable. The achievement section allows the user to feel accomplished for using GoodMood and gamifies the app experience.
Rebecca’s Post-App Journey
Final Thoughts
Seasonal Affective Disorder can be prevented with preparation and determination.
Exercising, socializing, meditating, and other small changes to your daily routine can benefit your mental health.
Would like to improve upon this experience to connect it to a smart speaker & brighten up lights to improve moods (https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2176925/how-weather-affects-your-mental-health-science-behind).
Like other meditation and wellness apps, GoodMood is an app that assists in creating a better lifestyle. This app is not meant to be a cure-all solution. Contact your doctor or therapist for other health related changes and solutions.