Project 2

Snap Lounge

A feature that prioritizes mindfulness and reflection on Snapchat

Final Screen of a learning activity within Phonics Friends.

background

I worked alongside a team of one designer, two marketers, and two engineers to define and develop a new product feature for the Snapchat platform. Over the course of a two-week design sprint, we created a mental health check-in bot. This feature encourages mindfulness and self-reflection by allowing Snapchat users to check in on their well-being through thoughtful questions about their mental state and emotions.

see the prototype

project type

Internship — Design Challenge

role

Product Designer — Responsible for delivering wireframes, prototypes, user research, user journey maps, visual design choices, and final mockups.

timeline

July - August 2021 (2 weeks)

team

Arthur Jensen (Me)
Andy Liu Cynthia Arellano Chamindri Brahakmanage Kevin Baker Phoenix Ngan

problem

There is a large stigma surrounding mental health and not enough resources accessible for younger individuals to better understand their own thoughts, emotions, and feelings.

solution

Create a safe space on Snapchat for users to decompress and reflect on their emotions, allowing them to take a break from their daily norms to assess their mental health.

impact

The team pitched their product to Snap Inc. employees and the CEO which opened up discussions to incorporate more features that prioritize mental health on Snapchat.

introduction

The Snap Academies

During Snap Design Academy 2021, I participated in a design sprint that challenged us to create a potential new feature within the Snapchat application.
My group of six—two designers, two marketers, and two engineers—recognized the importance of mental health, a topic that gained personal significance for many in the year following the pandemic.
As we opened up to each other, we identified similar experiences, hardships, and beliefs when it came to mental health.

Images of the Snapchat offices and participants of the Snap Design Academy 2021.

A photo of the members from the Snap Design Academy 2021 alongside a picture of me at the Snap offices.

talking to a nonprofit partner

Learning about the Mental Health Challenges Young Adults Face

To kick off the design process, I led a group interview with Dr. Tanya Bass from Active Minds to learn about the mental health challenges teens face.
Dr. Bass shared strategies for combating negative emotions, such as meditation, journaling, and self-reflection, which inspired our team with potential solutions to incorporate into our feature.

Image representing research findings from the mental health organization, Active Minds.

desktop research

Conducting Desktop Research to Understand how Digital Tools can help Young Adults

I gathered data from academic papers, health reports, and articles discussing the tools and channels teens use to improve their mental health.
The findings show that most young adults turn to social media for mental health information, presenting an opportunity for Snapchat to position itself as a platform that connects users to reliable and relevant resources.

Circle chart showing how teens learn about mental health.

Young Adults Rely on Social Media for Info on Mental Health

During the pandemic, many teens and young adults turned to social media to get answers about their mental health challenges.

Bar chart showing the effectiveness of consistent self-reflection.

Self-Reflection Can Help Combat Mental Health Challenges

Self-reflection is key to improving mental health, as it helps identify negative patterns, regulate emotions, and develop healthier coping strategies.

defining features

Daily Check-Ins Can Improve Wellbeing

I examined key aspects of Snapchat's user experience, highlighting the app's "streaks" feature, which fosters routine interaction among young adults.
I leveraged the psychology and functionality behind streaks, to illustrate how Snapchat can encourage users to engage in regular mental health check-ins, making these activities a habitual part of their daily routine.

Streaks feature on Snapchat.

engagement

Understanding User Retention

Snapchat’s streak-based feature encourages daily engagement, which could be utilized to establish a mental health check-in feature that asks questions regarding wellbeing and fosters community accountability.

user Journey

Designing a User Flow for a Quick Self-Reflection Exercise on Snapchat

To enhance clarity and visualize the user journey, I developed a user flow that guided my team in understanding key touch-points and optimizing the step-by-step process.
To promote user well-being, I prioritized questions within the user flow that encouraged self-reflection on stressors, mood, and emotions.
Culminating in a call to action prompting users to express gratitude, this feature fostered a sense of appreciation and positive self-regard.

User Flow outlining the steps and key touch-points within the mental health check-in feature.

prototyping

Creating Mid-Fidelity Prototypes to Define the Key Aspects of the Feature

I had one-on-one meetings with a established Snap Inc. engineer who had 5+ years of experience to gain feedback on the screens.
To promote user well-being, I prioritized questions within the user flow that encouraged self-reflection on stressors, mood, and emotions.
I had one-on-one meetings with a established Snap Inc. engineer who had 5+ years of experience to gain feedback on the screens.

Screen outlining the use of Bitmojis in the mental health check-in.

Screen outlining the use of Bitmojis in the mental check-in.

inisight 1

Personalize the experience using Bitmojis

Key insights:

Users enjoy seeing their Bitmoji and it enhances relatability.
The Bitmojis being featured must clearly convey each intended emotional state or action.
Bitmojis helps fosters a fun and supportive tone.

Screen that has vague and unclear terminology.

Screen showing a question with unclear terminology that hinders an accurate check-in.

insight 2

Incorporate Clear Language & Terminology

Key insights:

Clarity is key—avoid vague or confusing terms for complex emotions.
The tone of this experience must feel light and positive yet still serious when prompting self reflection
Avoid phrases that could feel accusatory or overly critical.

Screen showcasing the settings pop-up of Snap Lounge.

insight 3

Ensure Privacy Among Users with the Option to Share Results

Key insights:

Provide the option for users to make their results private or public.
Privacy is essential in mental health check-ins, enabling users to share sensitive information freely without fear of judgment or exposure.

style guide

Using Calming Colors to Soothe Users

I researched articles highlighting the benefits of using a calming color palette —according to color psychology, cool tones like blue, green, and purple are typically perceived as soothing and relaxing.
I created a style guide that integrates our new color palette with Snapchat's brand guidelines, drawing inspiration from other current features.

Snap Lounge Style Guide that outlines typefaces, fonts, and colors.

High-fidelity prototype

Snap Lounge Demo

Video showcasing the Snap Lounge feature, along with the marketing plan and business proposal.

Snap Lounge allows Snapchat users to check in on their well-being by answering questions regarding their mental state and feelings.

see it live

A series of screens introducing the feature with the user's personalized Bitmoji.

personalization

Bitmojis Create a Fun & Personal Experience

Users enjoy seeing and interacting with their Bitmoji, as it enhances relatability and creates positive feelings when reflecting on their mental state.

Screen where users are prompted to reflect on their mood and well-being.

Screen where users are prompted to reflect on their well-being.

Screen where users are asked to pinpoint the specific cause of their worry.

Screen where users are asked to identify their worries.

Screen where users are asked to identify their current emotional state.

A series of screens where users answer questions to assess their mood and emotions, fostering self-reflection.

self assessment

Initiating Self-Reflection Through a Questionnaire

Clear questions and scales are presented in a specific order, helping users identify the factors influencing their mood and emotions while encouraging self-reflection.

Screen where users are asked to reflect and type something they are grateful for.

Screen that shows the user an analysis of their mood and gives them an affirmation.

A series of screens prompting users to express gratitude and receive a positive affirmation.

Gratitude & affirmation

Expressing Gratitude and Receiving Affirmation

Near the end of the experience, users are prompted to write something they are grateful for to encourage appreciation. They also receive an affirmation they can save and revisit.

Screen where users get a list of practical steps they can take to improve their mental health state.

Screen where users receive a list of resources based on their check-in results.

A series of screens displaying user results along with external resources for mental health support and information.

resources

Actionable Steps and Resources are Provided

It's important to provide practical suggestions and actionable steps for improving wellbeingUsers receive their results along with a call to action to visit trusted external resources that explain mental health concepts and offer helpful context.

reflection

Learning How to Work Cross-Functionally and the Importance of Prioritization

Reflecting on my experience working on the Snap Lounge project, I’m proud of the impactful solution we developed in such a short time. The feature successfully combines mindfulness with self-reflection, offering Snapchat users an accessible way to check in on their mental health, a topic that is often stigmatized. By incorporating user-friendly design elements like Bitmojis and a calming color palette, we created a safe and supportive space for self-assessment. Our collaboration with experts and our research into the mental health challenges of young adults helped ensure that the feature met real needs. However, I believe there are areas to improve. In future projects, I would focus on refining the clarity of language used in the interface to ensure that every question is easily understood and non-judgmental. Additionally, while we prioritized privacy, testing how users engage with different privacy settings could provide more insights. Lastly, I would explore ways to make the experience more personalized, such as tailoring follow-up resources based on individual check-in responses. Overall, the project was a valuable learning experience, and I’m excited to apply these insights to future challenges.

Let’s make something great together!

Let’s make something great together!