Problem Discovery
Post-breakup emotions are difficult to handle and can significantly impact mental health.
Most people struggle to handle post-breakup emotions healthily, often turning to dating sites, substance abuse
and other quick fixes. This underscores/emphasises the need for better emotional support and effective coping strategies to help individuals navigate the aftermath of a breakup.
Problem Statement
Find ways to provide effective emotional support and coping strategies for individuals post-breakup without fostering unhealthy dependencies.
User Research & Findings
Understanding emotional challenges post-breakup
Secondary Research & Competitive Analysis
Analysing existing studies to gain insights into how individuals cope with breakups
Brainstorming & Key Feature
Design opportunities from insights
After reviewing various articles, research papers, and podcasts on the topic of breakups, several key themes consistently emerged. These insights help set a foundational understanding.
Through a survey of over 50 individuals and interviews with 3 girls and 3 boys, we explored the emotional impact of breakups and the coping mechanisms used. The following insights emerged:
Based on our research insights, we brainstormed various solutions for helping young adults cope with breakups. Each idea was evaluated based on its potential impact on emotional well-being and how effectively it could offer support. Here are a few ideas we ultimately built upon:
User Flow
Solution
Enter with your baggage
ONBOARDING PROCESS
It begins with a quick and straightforward login and signup. Once logged in, users answer a few questions about their breakup date, story, and post-breakup goals to personalise their experience. They can also sign a "No Contact" contract, which encourages a period of self-reflection and healing without contacting their ex, supporting a healthier recovery journey.
The house of heartbreak
HOME PAGE
Enter a house designed to guide you through the stages of grief after a breakup. Each room represents a different stage, and within each room, you'll find various objects that lead to games. These games are tailored to help users work through specific aspects of that stage.
Emotions after a breakup are not experienced linearly, users can explore the rooms in any order that aligns with their feelings each day.
Story so far and what is yet to be written
PROFILE PAGE
Showcases your achievements, displayed as badges, and offers a journaling feature where you can record your daily mood and receive prompts for reflection. You can also edit your profile to keep your information up-to-date.
You are not alone
COMMUNITY PAGE
This section is designed to foster connection and support among users.
It consists of three parts: a feed where users can share their feelings or achievements, a friends section for making individual connections, and groups where users can join or create groups based on different types of breakups.
Idea Validation
User journey for emotional recovery after breakup
Whether opting for individual reflection or community support, the journey empowers users to rediscover themselves and embrace personal growth in a supportive environment.
Evaluating what existing solutions are offering for post-breakup support.
We conducted market research and explored existing solutions tailored to individuals dealing with breakups. Each app caters to different needs, from emotional support to practical recovery steps. Most competitors tend to have a very girly approach, making them less approachable for men. Recognising this gap, our goal is to create a more inclusive and gender-neutral platform.
User Personas
After reviewing the survey results and interviews, we created pen portraits to capture the diverse experiences and emotions expressed by participants. These detailed narratives helped us understand the user better. We then transformed these pen portraits into user personas
Final Thoughts
What would we do differently?
The project has been a rewarding journey from ideation to execution, allowing us to create a unique platform that addresses the emotional challenges of breakups.
If time had allowed, we would have loved to spend more time refining and developing the games. Additionally, conducting more in-depth research on apps like Bumble and Hinge that successfully keep users engaged would have provided valuable insights into user retention strategies.
Testing our concept through community engagement
To validate our idea, we hosted an event and created an Instagram account to gauge people's reactions. At the event, we tested our app's game ideas, and the response was positive. There was music and other games, making it a hit with attendees. The combination of engaging activities and social media presence helped us gather valuable feedback and confirm the appeal of our concept.
House of
Heartbreak
This project aimed to develop a mobile app designed to assist young adults in navigating breakups. A team of four designers collaborated over a four-month period. I was involved in the entire process, from initial research to prototyping, and organized exciting events to gauge interest in the concept.