KOKORO Website Design

Project Overview

This was a client project For the company KOKORO

Research Phase

Background

OKORO is a digital platform dedicated to mental well-being, combining digital technology, personal coaching, and community support. It aims to foster curiosity, compassion, and personal growth by offering users a supportive environment where they can manage stress, reflect on their experiences, and build positive relationships.

Project Goals:
KOKORO aimed to enhance its platform with the following objectives:

1. Personalized Onboarding: Develop a tailored onboarding process to cater to the diverse needs of new users.

2. Increase User Engagement: Attract new users and increase engagement levels, particularly for those transitioning from non-digital formats.

3. Improve Accessibility: Ensure the platform meets ADA compliance standards, making it accessible to a broader audience, including those with disabilities.

Initial Platform Evaluation
The project kicked off with an evaluation of KOKORO’s existing platform to identify immediate and long-term improvement opportunities. The following key issues were identified:

• Lack of Confirmation Feedback: Users needed confirmation after completing actions, such as submitting a mood check or journal entry.

• Unfamiliar Terminology: Terms like “pulse” (for mood checks) and “experience” (for activities) were confusing to users, suggesting the need for more intuitive language.

• Understanding Actions and Benefits: Users needed clearer guidance on the benefits of their actions within the platform to motivate continued use.

• Voice Recording Accessibility: Improvements were needed to make voice recording features accessible to all users.

• Need for a Dedicated Help Section: Users required a Help section focused on common platform-related questions, distinct from emergency help features.

Competitive Analysis
A competitive analysis was conducted to understand industry standards and identify successful features that could be adapted for KOKORO:

• Headspace: Effective use of technique cards that provided clear, concise information for quick user engagement.

• Daylio: An engaging mood tracking feature that allowed users to express emotions in a fun and simple way.

• Reflectly: The “quote of the day” feature was popular for maintaining daily user engagement and motivation.

User Research

Objectives:
The goal was to understand how users deal with change and uncertainty, identifying specific habits, thoughts, and emotions associated with these experiences.

Methods Used:

• User Interviews: Conducted with five participants to gain deep insights into their stress management strategies, reliance on support systems, and coping mechanisms.

Key Findings:

• Users rely heavily on their support systems during times of change.

• Stress management techniques are critical for maintaining balance, especially during unpredictable situations.

• Flexibility and adaptability are key attributes users look for in a mental well-being platform.

To understand my target audience, I developed a persona that captures their needs, goals, and challenges.

Persona

Name: Riley

Needs

•  Users need effective coping strategies that can integrate seamlessly into their daily routines

• They seek clarity and guidance on incorporating these strategies into their professional and personal lives.

Goals

• Building and maintaining positive relationships,

• Understanding and managing controllable aspects of life,

• And developing consistent habits to boost confidence

Pain Points

• Users frequently have difficulty managing stress, avoid significant changes

• Feel overwhelmed by many stressors at once