0-1 Responsive mobile web
Problem Statement
How might we provide trustworthy mental health support for employees facing high workplace stressors, especially when they don't trust employer resources?
solution
A live video platform where people can connect with similar professionals from other companies and provide support and advice to each other.
OUTCOME
Rating from surveyed professionals
Live, alpha launch targeting early 2025
Research & discovery
User Research
Interviewed professionals from a variety of fields
Found 8.4/10 average impact of work stressors on mental health
A desire a solution that's both flexible and involves low effort or no moderation from them
Competitive Analysis
I also reviewed existing alternatives and substitutes in the market and found that nearly no solution was profession specific. So people would need to either be lucky or persistent to find solutions to problems specific to their role and industry.
Target Users
Conducted user research by interviewing professionals from a variety of fields, focusing on those who had experienced burnout, imposter syndrome, or work-related stress. I also studied existing mental health support tools and identified gaps in the market where Workvana could offer a unique solution. Key findings included:
A variety of stressors: Nearly everyone interviewed experienced workplace stress but the source and impact on them varied significantly.
Desire for flexibility: Busy professionals needed a solution they could access at their convenience, without long-term commitments.
Moderation matters: People wanted moderation but didn't want the responsibility of being a moderator or assessing potential moderators for their experience and trust-worthiness.
Eva Elle
38 years old
Teacher
at NYC public schools
Needs & Goals
Avoid chronic burnout
Gain practical advice from peers who understand the pressures of managing a classroom in urban settings
Build confidence on public speaking and handling disruptive events
"The constant expectations at work make me feel like I’m never doing enough, which has really impacted my self-esteem."
"I want to be part of a supportive group where I can get feedback about work, but it’s hard to find know who I can trust at work or who's having the same experience as me."
Guy Mccoy
25 years old
Software engineer
at high growth startup
Needs & Goals
Learn how to navigate work politics
Figure out how to reduce stress from deadlines
Find a safe space to discuss challenges without judgment.
"The stress from my job keeps me up at night, and I’m finding it harder to switch off and relax."
"I need advice from someone who understands my work challenges, but I don’t always know who to reach out to."
problem definition & user testing
Feature Definition
I identified 3 top priority features based on user research and used them as the foundation for low fidelity wireframes.
Connect professionals in similar roles and industries
"Having a group with other teachers would be the most important thing. We experience a certain type of stress/pressure that other jobs don't as much or that other people wouldn't understand."
Provide moderation to ensure productive discussions
"A facilitator is important…without one, I might end up feeling disconnected from group or it might not be as productive a discussion as I would like."
Focus discussions on career-related challenges
"I don't want to hear about personal details ie. a death in the family. I think people should go to therapy for that. I would leave if the discussions were personal rants."
Other key features were prioritized based on their ability to facilitate a trust-worthy brand as well as facilitate active engagement from users.
Profiles
Push notifications
Privacy settings
Safe space agreements
Design & Prototyping
User Flow
One of the key flows to test was the process of finding groups relevant to one's role and industry.
Testing & iteration
User Testing
I created low fidelity wireframes to validate both the user experience as well as understand receptiveness to the overall concept. Some key iterations based on feedback were:
Before
After
Role & Industry-Based Groups
Before: Hard to search for role and industry specific groups
V0
After: Filters make role & industry search easier
V1
Moderation
Before: Use of human moderator and written rules to manage discussion
V0
#
V1
Peer support vs group therapy
Before: Topic names use therapy terms like depression
V0
#
After: Topics strictly problem-oriented & non-therapy
V1
design and development
Hi Fidelity Design
After finalizing the mid-fidelity designs, I developed and implemented the brand to produce high fidelity designs. Key principles were:
Clean, calming design: I opted for natural colors and soft gradients to evoke a sense of calm and support the mental health focus.
Minimal distractions: The interface is deliberately minimal, keeping the focus on meaningful interactions rather than overwhelming users with information.
Enterprise-feel: Ensuring clarity so people understand the site is not a replacement for therapy
Logo
Minimalist, sans-serif
Subtle gradient of soft blue and green hues
Lowercase type presents casual but professional tone
color palette
Primary brand colors create a calming, approachable brand aesthetic
Evokes feelings of trust, relaxation, and harmony
TYPEOGRAPHY
Work Sans font is clean, modern, and highly readable
Promotes user accessibility
Professional yet approachable
UI Elements
Used various UI elements to create a cohesive product experience. Rounded corners, careful use of color and clean, simple lines all help contribute towards a professional, minimalist visual presentation.
Topic-Based Groups
The platform offers topic-specific groups (e.g., managing burnout, navigating career transitions, work-life balance) so users can find communities that relate to their particular challenges.
Create a Custom Group
Users can easily create their own groups around specific work challenges or topics, inviting others to join. This allows professionals to build their own support networks tailored to their unique needs, fostering personalized peer support.
AI-Powered Moderation
Workvana utilizes AI-powered moderation to ensure a safe and respectful environment during calls and group discussions. The AI automatically detects and manages undesired behaviors, such as over-talking overs or taking over the discussion and provides a way for the group to collectively take action, fostering a positive and productive conversation.
Positive User Feedback
Average 9/10 CSAT rating from surveyed professionals
Native App Experience
Started with a responsive mobile web experience for versatility and ease of adoption for the widest audience, however, future plans include a native app version
1x1 Mentoring
Per customer request, will also explore the expansion of functionality to include 1x1 mentoring in addition to group peer support
Interactive Prototype
Expand to full screen for best functionality