White Space App Design
Designing with Mindfulness
Drawing from expertise in yoga, meditation, and extensive research, the project aimed to explore the potential of mindfulness in fostering self-awareness and inquiry into health and well-being. It also examined the relationship between individuals and technology, seeking to utilise technology as an ally in enhancing self-awareness.
Client
nib Group + University of Newcastle
Skills
Project management, research planning and facilitation, surveys, co-creation workshops, ideation, data analysis and insight synthesis, wireframing and prototyping
Project type
End-to-end User Centred Design Research project
Date
2020
The 'White Space' project emerged from a collaboration between the University of Newcastle and nib Group, Newcastle, with a focus on designing ways to promote well-being. The project coincided with the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, necessitating virtual user research and participant engagement. RESEARCH GOALS: The project aimed to investigate how mindfulness practices could empower individuals to adopt healthier behaviors by enhancing self-awareness. Conversations with stakeholders identified key themes such as preventative healthcare, the future of health, different healthcare approaches, and gaps between nib and its members. These discussions shaped the project's focus on building a dialogue around health. QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE DATA: To test the viability of mindfulness as a connector for various aspects of health, a survey was conducted with nib employees to understand their perceptions and behaviors related to mindfulness and self-care. A diary study followed, in which participants engaged in a 4-week mindfulness course to assess the impact of increased mindful awareness on the adoption of healthy behaviors. Participants documented their experiences, covering concepts such as body awareness, mindful places, emotions, and food journaling. RESULTS & INSIGHTS: Baseline surveys and water consumption measurements were conducted with both the diary study group and a control group. While the results showed marginal increases in mindful awareness for the diary study group, the water consumption results were inconclusive. Nevertheless, participants provided valuable insights, challenging assumptions about mindfulness, exploring the influence of technology on self-awareness, and emphasizing the importance of self-inquiry and self-trust.
IDEATION & DESIGN CONCEPT: Participants engaged in a virtual co-creation session to explore mindfulness in everyday moments and the integration of mindfulness into digital experiences. The project resulted in the development of a prototype called Mindful Scrolling, which aimed to position technology as a support system for individuals' internal awareness, facilitating their response to relevant health cues through brief moments of mindfulness. By unraveling and reversing the numbed and oversaturated relationship with technology, the project sought to empower individuals and redefine their understanding of healthy behavior.