Reflect
Reflecting the best version of you, for two
Design Award Winner 2023 - iSchool Capstone
Project Overview
This served as our capstone project where we each had a role in our agile process. I was one of two product designers, and with my team, we were able to design, develop, and build our product.
Dissatisfaction with one’s body image is common in society, especially among pregnant or postpartum individuals. To tackle the problem of negative body perception and its impact on mental health, we created Reflect—a smart mirror that promotes well-being. It incorporates daily check-ins, intention setting, breathing exercises, reflection time, and mirror exposure therapy. By encouraging users to slow down, develop a healthier self-relationship, and enhance their overall quality of life, Reflect aims to make a positive difference.
Timeline: 20 weeks (Winter, Spring 2023)
Project Type: iSchool Capstone project
Team: Uyen Dao, Yaying Wang, Selina Dinh, Ha To, and I
Programs Used: Figma, Miro, FigJam Pitch
My Role: UX Designer, UI Designer
Methods: Interaction Design, User Research
How it all started:
We came into Capstone with no project in mind, but we did know we wanted to make a difference. As we discussed the issues we are passionate about, the topic of body image came up. We researched how many people struggled with their body image, and we realized this needed to change.
46%
felt anxious or depressed due to concerns about their body image
27%
reported increase in body image worries due to social media
40%
said pregnancy/birth made them self-conscious of their body
Then we discovered mirror exposure therapy
How does this therapy work?
The therapy aims to gradually expose individuals to their perceived flaws or feared body parts, helping them confront and challenge negative beliefs about their appearance. By engaging in this process and working to reframe distorted thoughts, individuals can develop more realistic and positive self-perceptions.
What is mirror exposure therapy?
Mirror exposure therapy is a cognitive behavioral practice for body dysmorphia that involves gradually increasing mirror time to confront negative body image perceptions and reduce avoidance behaviors. Its goal is to improve body image and overall well-being.
Why isn't this a well-known practice?
This technique is mostly used in therapy, but it's not widely known. The normalization of body dysmorphia often discourages individuals from seeking help.
What is the procedure for this therapy?
Mirror exposure therapy involves the following steps: The person faces their body image concerns, observes their reflection, and explores their thoughts and emotions. The therapist then helps them challenge negative thoughts and develop positive self-perceptions. Coping techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness are taught to manage anxiety or distress during exposure.
Who is disproportionally impacted by negative body image?
Supporting the wellness of pregnant individuals regarding their body image issues is essential to promoting their emotional well-being, mental health, bonding with the baby, maternal health, and empowerment. It contributes to a positive and empowering pregnancy experience, benefiting both the pregnant person and the developing child.
70%
of pregnant women express anxiety or concern about gaining too much weight during pregnancy
80%
of pregnant individuals experience some level of body dissatisfaction
73%
of pregnant individuals experience a decline in self-esteem during pregnancy
Meet our stakeholders
We created two user types (although they are very similar to each other) to represent our stakeholders. We chose this approach over user personas because user types offer simplicity, flexibility, and scalability, making them suitable for our large user populations.
Pregnant Individuals
Postpartum Individuals
Before creating these user types, we interviewed our mothers and a friend who was currently pregnant. These user types continued to evolve and change as we further explored and understood our stakeholders.
*Based on user research
Wants:
Prefer Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Support
Prioritize self-care
Fatigue
Fear
Organization
Pain points:
Limited mobility
Body Change
Community
Better body perception
Anxiety
Morning sickness
Wants:
Prioritize self care
Alone time
Prioritize self-care
Fatigue
Fear
Organization
Pain points:
Limited mobility
Body Change
Morning sickness
Community
Better body perception
Anxiety
Navigating the Literary Landscape: A Comprehensive Review
To gain comprehensive insights, we conducted an extensive literature review to understand the functioning of mirror exposure therapy, identify the support requirements of our user groups, and establish ethical approaches to integrating technology with mindfulness.
Takeaway 1:
Pregnant women are likely to prefer non-pharmacological approaches to anxiety disorder treatment
Takeaway 2:
Mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavior therapy can significantly alleviate pregnant women’s depression and anxiety.
Takeaway 3:
Child consequences of stress include lower grey matter density, a range of serious behavioral and emotional problems
Takeaway 4:
Most societies have nearly always created ideals of beauty and attractiveness that are often impossible, to achieve
Market Dynamics: Uncovering Opportunities and Challenges
We then wanted to see what current products are available that help users with their body image and mindfulness.
Main takeaway:
While there are various resources available, such as self-help books, apps, and fitness mirrors, there seems to be a gap in the market for a product that seamlessly combines mindfulness and exposure mirror therapy within the comfort and convenience of their own living spaces.
The global smart mirror market was valued at $514.6 million in 2022
Visualizing The Narrative
To present our idea clearly to our professor, peers, and team members, we created a storyboard. This visual narrative depicted user interactions step by step, facilitating a shared understanding of our product's functionality.
How will users interact with the mirror?
We spent a lot of time discussing what kind of interaction users will use when interacting with the mirror. The options were: Voice, touch, motion, keyboard, through an app, or remote....
Idea 1: Alexa
Users can give verbal instructions to perform actions such as adjusting settings, playing music, or retrieving information. However, after the user validations, we realized that we needed to put security and safety at the forefront of our design principles. Alexa’s and Amazon’s reputations were taken into consideration.
Idea 2: Touchscreen
Smart mirrors with built-in touchscreens allow users to interact by directly touching the mirror surface. This enables gestures like tapping, swiping, and pinching to navigate menus, control settings, and access various functionalities. However, it’s not easily accessible, and users must be close to the mirror to use it.
Idea 3: Remote Control
Remote controls can offer additional convenience and ease of use, especially for users who prefer a physical device for interaction or when the mirror is mounted in a location that is not easily reachable.
Transforming Ideas into Visual Concepts
Our first hi-fidelity prototype:
Testing and refining user experiences
Once we completed our high-fidelity prototype, we did a round of user testing.
Here is what we found:
Better Explanation
Users were often confused about what the different features were
Timed Sessions
Users would rapidly pass prompts. To enhance the experience, we are adding a timer
Full Length Mirror
Users weren’t able to see their full body
No Glassmorphism
Glassmorphism isn't a suitable match for our mirror technology
Field research at Lululemon
To learn more about the smart mirror, we headed over to Lululemon to try it out firsthand. We wanted to see how it performed and get a feel for its features. During our visit, we had fun experimenting with different colors on the mirror, exploring its interactive capabilities, and appreciating its overall design language. It was an exciting opportunity to see the mirror in action and discover what it had to offer.
Takeaway 1:
White text is easier to read and see over mirror reflection
Takeaway 2:
Bright colors pop most ontop of the mirror reflection
Takeaway 3:
People look in a mirror up to down - Vertical hierarchy
Takeaway 4:
Uses a design language that has more words over icons
Our design style guide and design system
Key Features
Breathing Exercise:
Take a minute to center your breathing by following the flower that guides you through square breathing, a technique that involves slow, deep breaths. It can help with anxiety relief, meditation, and stress reduction
Reflection Time:
Reflect on your day with thoughtful prompts. It will help you develop greater self-awareness, improve your relationships with others, and promote personal growth
Monthly Intention:
Set monthly goals that offer a roadmap for personal and professional growth, aiding in staying on track and adapting to changes while working toward broader aspirations.
Mirror Exposure Therapy
Build a better relationship with your body using clinically proven techniques. The mirror will guide users through the steps of mirror exposure therapy
Words of Affirmation:
Say words of affirmation that are displayed on the screen as they can boost self-esteem, promote a positive mindset, and enhance overall well-being.
Introducing, Reflect
A full body smart mirror for pregnant and postpartum individuals that promotes wellness.
Our Technology
Reflection
The journey through our smart mirror project was truly transformative. I had the privilege of learning hands-on, gaining insights into effective collaboration with developers, the art of conducting user tests, and the skill of passionately advocating for my design concepts. Weekly project updates became a platform to improve my presentation and communication skills.
In addition, I deepened my proficiency in Figma, a design tool that became an extension of my creative mind. It not only streamlined my workflow but also boosted my overall design confidence.
Perhaps the most rewarding part of the journey was winning the Design Award at Capstone Night. This recognition, alongside the valuable feedback from judges and iSchools professors, affirmed the dedication and innovation we poured into our smart mirror concept. It was a moment of immense pride and humility, a testament to the tremendous personal and professional growth that this project brought.
Next Steps
Add progress analysis
Expand the product scope
Conduct more usability tests
Enhance the efficiency of the program
Add more features
