We are all addicts now
Mobile App Design
Rewire Your Brain
At-A-Glance
‘Dopami’ is a CBT-based psychotherapy app designed for modern day people who are living in a time of unprecedented access to instant gratifications, high-dopamine stimuli. Dopami aims to induce adequate level of dopamine for each individuals allowing them to have a pleasurable rehab journey.
Solo Project
My Role: Product & visual Design, user research
Timeline: Sept 2024-Oct 2024
Tools: Figma, Miro
Starting thoughts…
We are now all addicts!
As a curious observer of human nature, I’ve noticed many of my peers are struggling with minor addictions that prevent them from focusing on their main goals in life.
Solution
Make the journey pleasurable
During my research, i discovered that simply
abstaining from addictive behavior alone is not a
long term solution. To rewire the reward circuit, it’s necessary to plan carefully to inducing the right amount of dopamine for each individual and to use techniques that trick the brain into motivation.
Your AI Therapists
Dopami provides 24/7 support, whether you want to chat casually about your day, engage in interactive CBT sessions, or even discuss your musical preference.
Track, Prevent, Conquer
Track your Dopamine level by logging in your daily activities. Learn from your recent setback. Defeat your addiction.
Gamify your journey
The more you engage with your therapist, accomplish your daily tasks and classes, take quizzes, the greater rewards you can earn.
01. Discover
What should we focus on to help people recover from addiction?
Secondary Research
Staring from white paper research, I began to understand the mechanism behind the addiction. Also I stumbled upon a very interesting social trend
that's worth looking to get a good context and
insights.
"Okay! Now I understand that dopamine is the key to addiction and people are attempting to abstain from activities that trigger it's release. Why is this trend so popular and controversial? Let's hear them out!"
Screener Survey
While looking at above results, I became curious about factors that might contribute to the controversial opinion during the dopamine detox process. Firstly, I conducted screeners to gather general statistics and identify suitable interviewees.
30
Respondents
"It's concerning that many young people are struggling with moderate addiction to specific activities and lot of them have attempted self treatment without success. I'm curious about their self guided therapy and factors that contributed to their success or failure."
User Interview
Throughout the screener i was able to select 5 interviewees who have tried either self guided therapy or in-person therapy.
Highlight
71% of participants said that they’ve tried self guided treatments online resources when they first recognized their addictive behavior.
They thought they could treat their addiction on their own because the symptoms were mild when they first realized it.
Biggest deterring factor to try in-person treatments was time and
cost of visits. some also felt repulsed and ashamed to explain their symptoms in person.
While all participants reported temporary benefits during the fasting period, at some point they tend to return to the mild-severe addiction state.
"Recognizing one's addiction and seeking treatment before it reaches a severe seem crucial. Unfortunately ineffective self guided treatments often worsen the symptoms ultimately, leading to in person therapy with medication which costs more time and resources."
Competitor Analysis
I started monitoring direct and indirect competitors that provide similar concepts to my product: treatment, motivation and monitoring. By doing so I was able to gather ideas and solutions for improving the user experience by implementing different features.
Prioritization Matrix
I used 2x2 Prioritization Matrix to categorize the needs based on users necessity and priority. Then, i decided on minimum viable product (MVP) features for the product.
Research synthesis
After having done the user and desk research, I synthesized the data and insights to find seven pain points that are crucial for users to succeed.
PAIN POINTS
02. EMPATHIZE
Understanding users' pain points
User Persona & Journey Map
Based on the research findings, I have prioritized the MZ generation who exhibit addiction to specific categories as our primary target audience.
HOW MIGHT WE MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO STAY ON TRACK DURING THE RECOVERY PROCESS?
03. IDEATE
Helping users achieve their goals easily.
Crazy 8s
After having done the research and narrowing down to few MVPs, I started sketching ideas on a paper divided by 8 containers. Allocating one minute per container, I could come up with various ideas and solutions for my product.
Information Architecture
Based on previous knowledge and findings, I created an Information Architecture
that meets user expectations
04. PROTOTYPE
Bringing value to the users
Lo-Fi Wireframing
I produced wireframes for multiple design variations for testing and Feedback.
Visual Style
I created a visual style that fits my product identity.
Design System
I implemented the design system using the Atomic Design methodology. To start, I built a catalog of tokens such as patterns, colors, text styles, icons and grid system. This provided me with set of design guidelines that promote a consistent design language.
Usability Testing
I conducted a usability test with five users in my target demographic using the prototype to see how user friendly the service is.
Pain point
“Like” button in Doctor’s profile is hard to reach.
Alert section in track is not visually highlighting.
“see all” feature doesnt’ align with other pages in
doctor’s post screen.
Put the "like" button where comfort of reachability can be achieved.
Gave the setback alert tab more contrast to be visually alarming.
Positioned "see all" text to the top right to align with my design system.
High Fidelity Design
We are all addicts now
Mobile App Design
Rewire Your Brain
At-A-Glance
‘Dopami’ is a CBT-based psychotherapy app designed for modern day people who are living in a time of unprecedented access to instant gratifications, high-dopamine stimuli. Dopami aims to induce adequate level of dopamine for each individuals allowing them to have a pleasurable rehab journey.
Mobile App Design
Rewire Your Brain
At-A-Glance
‘Dopami’ is a CBT-based psychotherapy app designed for modern day people who are living in a time of unprecedented access to instant gratifications, high-dopamine stimuli. Dopami aims to induce adequate level of dopamine for each individuals allowing them to have a pleasurable rehab journey.
Solo Project
My Role
Product Design, User research, Visual Design
Timeline
Sept 2024- Oct 2024
Tools
Figma, Miro
Starting thoughts…
We are now all
addicts to a degree
As a curious observer of human nature, I’ve noticed many of my peers are struggling with minor addictions that prevent them from focusing on their main goals in life.
Solo Project
My Role
Product Design, User research
Visual Design
Timeline
Sept 2024- Oct 2024
Tools
Figma, Miro
Starting thoughts…
We are now all addicts
to a degree
As a curious observer of human nature, I’ve noticed many of my peers are struggling with minor addictions that prevent them from focusing on their main goals in life.
SOLUTION
During my research, i discovered that simply
abstaining from addictive behavior alone is not a
long term solution. To rewire the reward circuit, it’s
necessary to plan carefully to inducing the right
amount of dopamine for each individual and to use
techniques that trick the brain into motivation.
Make the journey
pleasurable
Make the journey
pleasurable
During my research, i discovered that simply abstaining from addictive behavior alone is not a long term solution. To rewire the reward circuit, it’s necessary to plan carefully to inducing the right amount of dopamine for each individual and to use
techniques that trick the brain into motivation.
Solution
Your AI Therapists
Your AI Therapists
Dopami provides 24/7 support, whether you want
to chat casually about your day, engage in
interactive CBT sessions, or even discuss your
musical preference.
Dopami provides 24/7 support, whether you want to chat casually about your day, engage in interactive CBT sessions, or even discuss your musical preference.
Gamify your journey
The more you engage with your therapist, accomplish your daily tasks and classes, take quizzes, the greater rewards you can earn.
01. Discover
What should we focus on to help people recover from addiction?
Secondary Research
Staring from white paper research, I began to understand the mechanism
behind the addiction. Also I stumbled upon a very interesting social trend
that's worth looking to get a good context and insights.
Track, Prevent, Conquer
Track your Dopamine level by logging in your daily activities. Learn from your recent setback. Defeat your addiction.
Track, Prevent, Conquer
Track your Dopamine level by logging in your daily activities. Learn from your recent setback. Defeat your addiction.
Gamify your journey
The more you engage with your therapist, accomplish your daily tasks and classes, take quizzes, the greater rewards you can earn.
01. Discover
What should we focus on to help people recover from addiction?
Secondary Research
Staring from white paper research, I began to understand the mechanism
behind the addiction. Also I stumbled upon a very interesting social trend
that's worth looking to get a good context and insights.
"Okay! Now I understand that dopamine is the key to addiction and people are
attempting to abstain from activities that trigger it's release. Why is this trend so popular and controversial? Let's hear them out!"
"Okay! Now I understand that dopamine is the key to addiction and people are
attempting to abstain from activities that trigger it's release. Why is this trend so popular and controversial? Let's hear them out!"
Screener Survey
Screener Survey
While looking at above results, I became curious about factors that might contribute
to the controversial opinion during the dopamine detox process. Firstly, I conducted screeners to gather general statistics and identify suitable interviewees.
While looking at above results, I became curious about factors that might contribute to the controversial opinion during the dopamine detox process. Firstly, I conducted screeners to gather general statistics and identify suitable interviewees.
30
30
Respondents
Respondents
"It's concerning that many young people are struggling with moderate
addiction to specific activities and lot of them have attempted self treatment
without success. I'm curious about their self guided therapy and factors that
contributed to their success or failure."
"It's concerning that many young people are struggling with moderate
addiction to specific activities and lot of them have attempted self treatment
without success. I'm curious about their self guided therapy and factors that
contributed to their success or failure."
User Interview
User Interview
5
Interviewees
5
Interviewees
Throughout the screener i was able to select 5 interviewees who have tried either
self guided therapy or in-person therapy.
Throughout the screener i was able to select interviewees who have tried either self guided therapy or in-person therapy.
Highlight
Highlight
71% of participants said that they’ve tried self guided treatments
online resources when they first recognized their addictive behavior.
71% of participants said that they’ve tried self guided treatments
online resources when they first recognized their addictive behavior.
They thought they could treat their addiction on their own because the symptoms were mild when they first realized it.
They thought they could treat their addiction on their own because the symptoms were mild when they first realized it.
Biggest deterring factor to try in-person treatments was time and
cost of visits. some also felt repulsed and ashamed to explain their symptoms in person.
Biggest deterring factor to try in-person treatments was time and
cost of visits. some also felt repulsed and ashamed to explain their symptoms in person.
While all participants reported temporary benefits during the fasting period, at some point they tend to return to the mild-severe addiction state.
While all participants reported temporary benefits during the fasting period, at some point they tend to return to the mild-severe addiction state.
"Recognizing one's addiction and seeking treatment before it reaches a severe seem crucial. Unfortunately ineffective self guided treatments often worsen the symptoms ultimately, leading to in person therapy with medication which costs more time and resources."
"Recognizing one's addiction and seeking treatment before it reaches a severe seem crucial. Unfortunately ineffective self guided treatments often worsen the symptoms ultimately, leading to in person therapy with medication which costs more time and resources."
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
I started monitoring direct and indirect competitors that provide similar concepts to my product: treatment, motivation and monitoring. By doing so I was able to gather ideas and solutions for improving the user experience by implementing different features.
I started monitoring direct and indirect competitors that provide similar concepts to my product: treatment, motivation and monitoring. By doing so I was able to gather ideas and solutions for improving the user experience by implementing different features.
Prioritization Matrix
Prioritization Matrix
I used 2x2 Prioritization Matrix to categorize the needs based on users necessity and
priority. Then, i decided on minimum viable product (MVP) features for the product.
I used 2x2 Prioritization Matrix to categorize the needs based on users necessity and priority. Then, i decided on minimum viable product (MVP) features for the product.
Research synthesis
Research synthesis
After having done the user and desk research, I synthesized the data and insights to find
seven pain points that are crucial for users to succeed.
After having done the user and desk research, I synthesized the data and insights to find seven pain points that are crucial for users to succeed.
PAIN POINTS
PAIN POINTS
02. EMPATHIZE
Understanding users' pain points
02. EMPATHIZE
Understanding users' pain points
03. IDEATE
Helping users achieve their goals easily.
User Persona & Journey Map
User Persona & Journey Map
Based on the research findings, I have prioritized the MZ generation who exhibit addiction to specific categories as our primary target audience.
Based on the research findings, I have prioritized the MZ generation who exhibit addiction to specific categories as our primary target audience.
HOW MIGHT WE MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO STAY ON TRACK
DURING THE RECOVERY PROCESS?
HOW MIGHT WE MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO STAY ON TRACK DURING THE RECOVERY PROCESS?
04. PROTOTYPE
Bringing value to the users
03. IDEATE
Helping users achieve their goals easily.
Crazy 8s
Crazy 8s
After having done the research and narrowing down to few MVPs, I started sketching
ideas on a paper divided by 8 containers. Allocating one minute per container, I could
come up with various ideas and solutions for my product.
After having done the research and narrowing down to few MVPs, I started sketching ideas on a paper divided by 8 containers. Allocating one minute per container, I could come up with various ideas and solutions for my product.
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
Based on previous knowledge and findings, I created an Information Architecture
that meets user expectations
Based on previous knowledge and findings, I created an Information Architecture that meets user expectations
04. PROTOTYPE
Bringing value to the users
Lo-Fi Wireframing
I produced wireframes for multiple design variations for testing and
Feedback.
Choose addictions
Let us help you get out of distractions to focus on your main goals in life
Pornography
Smoking
Shopping
Sugar
Gambling
Plastic Surgery
Start Rewire!
Start Rewire!
Your dopamine baseline is high
Don’t worry, our AI therapists will guide you to become a better version of yourself.
High dopamine baseline
Today
Goal
Your AI Therapists
Continue
Continue
Peng
Speed
Based on your information, we recommend a gradual pace, but feel free to adjust!
Gradual
Slow and steady, wins the race
Next
Next
Jan
Apr
Aug
67%
Dopamine baseline
Avg. baseline
Add Activities
Recent
Foods
Drinks
Drugs
Internet
Junk Food
Junk Food
Keto
High-sugar
Water
Smoothy
Beverages
Tobacco
Video game
Virtual Events
Salvia Divinorum
Aerosols
Gaming
Learning
Communication
Finance and Budgeting
Ketamine
Binge-watch
Social media
Marijuana
Show more +
Show more +
Alcohol
MDMA
Show more +
Energy Drink
Alcohol
Coffee
Tea
Juice
Milk
Spicy-foods
Show more +
Low-carb
Snacks
Fruits
Balanced
Vegetarian
Running
Binge-eating
Alcohol
Continue
Continue
Hello,
Alex!
Come on in for our therapy session!
Text
Join
see all
66%
Dopamine 101
learn
37%
5km running
exercise
70%
Habit Formation 101
learn
50%
Gratitude Journal
mindfulness
My tasks
Home
Track
Explore
Community
Therapy
Today
Therapy
Learn
Reward
Come on in, Alex!
View all sessions
Healing space
Meet Andy
& Dr. Anderson
chat
video Game
Social Media Addiction
.
Andy is an AI therapist who is trained by Dr. Anderson
who specialized in video game addiction and social media addiction. Andy is a laid back, easy going owl that knows how to make ypu feel comfortable and heard. He also has good taste in music and he loves jazz. His sense of humor makes the therapy session even more enjoyable! Meet Andy, talk with him for several minutes and you will know a lot more than i do! Good luck, have a great session.
About Andy
Book a session
Posts
Anderson
Andy
Meet Andy
& Dr. Anderson
chat
video Game
Social Media Addiction
.
Dr. Anderson is a psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, teacher and supervisor in private practice in New York City and in New Jersey. He was educated in NYU school of medicine and specialized in video game addiction and social media addiction. Dr. Anderson is a highly experienced psychotherapist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). With a deep understanding of human behavior and psychology, Dr. Anderson has dedicated his career to helping individuals overcome various mental health challenges, including addiction, anxiety, and mood disorders.
About Dr. Anderson
Book appointment
Andy
Posts
Anderson
Meet Andy
& Dr. Anderson
chat
video Game
Social Media Addiction
.
Andy
Posts
Anderson
Newest
Today
Therapy
Learn
Reward
My courses
Completed courses
Recommended for you
see all
Impulse Control
30 days streak
Thriving in the Real
30 days offline joy
25%
rewired
28 days down. 1 week left for your
next milestone. Excellent Alex!
Today
This week
This month
Stay Strong
you are 47% more likely to setback
on today. Tap to prepare!
Dopamine Level
Know yourself to conquer yourself.
Sun
Mon
Tue
wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Trigger log
Know your vulnerable points and don’t let it fool you.
D-level- 32%
S-level-high
Mood:
Bored 63%
Motivation Trend
What makes you motivated? when do you lose it?
192
Daily Progress
Make your heatmap all purple, Guess what’d happen.
Rewired
Track your overall rewiring process
22.5%
Rewired
Search
Stories
+23
+23
Follow
LunarQuest
6 hours ago
#DigitalDetox #UnplugToReconnect
For years, I didn’t realize how much time I was losing to endless scrolling. My days started and ended with notifications, likes, and mindless ...
Amara Collins
Elara Davidson
Home
Track
Explore
Community
Therapy
Reward shop
770
Andy
A Jazz enthusiast, Excellent
sense of humor. But he
can’t fly so he is on a diet.
Emotion
Headwear
Eyewear
Clothing
Ride
Day 26
You know right?
I’m always on your side!
You got this!
Just do it
Visual Style
Visual Style
I created a visual style that fits my product identity.
I created a visual style that fits my product identity.
Design System
Design System
I implemented the design system using the Atomic Design methodology.
To start, I built a catalog of tokens such as patterns, colors, text styles, icons and
grid system. This provided me with set of design guidelines that
promote a consistent design language.
I implemented the design system using the Atomic Design methodology.
To start, I built a catalog of tokens such as patterns, colors, text styles, icons and grid system. This provided me with set of design guidelines that
promote a consistent design language.
Typography
Aa
Poppins
H1
42
Bold
Home
H2
24
Bold
Main headers
20
Medium
Status message
H3
16
Medium
card headers
H4
14
Medium
paragraph headers
H5
12
Regular
paragraph sub headers
H6
10
Regular
Progress bar header
H6
Text
Text
Text
Text
Text
Default
Default- medium
On top- medium
On top
Error
Secondary
Text
Text
358Px
260Px
60Px
Buttons
Menu
Home
Track
Explore
Community
Therapy
Search
Search Bar
Stepper
Progress Bar
Select
1st option
2nd option
3rd option
Icons
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
I conducted a usability test with five users in my target demographic using the
prototype to see how user friendly the service is.
I conducted a usability test with five users in my target demographic using the
prototype to see how user friendly the service is.
Pain point
“Like” button in Doctor’s profile is hard to reach.
“Like” button in Doctor’s profile is hard to reach.
Alert section in track is not visually highlighting.
Alert section in track is not visually highlighting.
“see all” feature doesnt’ align with other pages in
doctor’s post screen.
“see all” feature doesnt’ align with other pages in
doctor’s post screen.
Pain Points -
Positive feedback
Video chat feature with AI therapist looks like an
excellent example to apply NLP tech.
Video chat feature with AI therapist looks like an
excellent example to apply NLP tech.
Prevent setback by expected trigger trend is a
brilliant idea.
Prevent setback by expected trigger trend is a
brilliant idea.
The idea that users can earn rewards by positive
interaction and customize their cute AIs are perfect
for those dopamine burst loop.
The idea that users can earn rewards by positive
interaction and customize their cute AIs are perfect
for those dopamine burst loop.
Positive Feedback -
05. REFLECTION
How can i improve the service?
What i learned
Research, Research, Research
Some of my friends said I should spend less time on research process,
but honestly, the more i put effort on research, better quality could be
achieved. I like how my design was able to include much more in-depth
under-standing of users’ pain points that were key to defining the problem
scope.
Prioritize target audience
When i first design the app, i was distracted by too much information
provided by wide range of voices therefore i tried to satisfy all the users
needs and that’s the point I lost to make decisions. I learned prioritizing
the most concerned and overlapping problem is crucial to take
further steps in design process.
Testing early and often.
It would’ve taken much longer and subjected me to fall in bias if i struggled
to make decisions by myself. Luckily I was able to test my deliverables and
got objective feedbacks which kept me on track.
What next
Enhance reward system
In the app, users can earn gems as rewards and use them to customize their characters to keep them motivated. This reward system was built for my target audience, the millennials. However I came to realize that it may not satisfy wider range of user groups. In this case, I believe a couple of reward options such as growing plants or building a farm would provide more therapeutic effect for the users.
Extend trackability with wearable devices
Currently, app can track and predict behavior only if users manually enter their activities. However, considering some users might not have enough natural willpower to do so, It may not be the best option. It would be powerful if the app could detect the users behavior with motion sensor of wearable devices and alarm the user who is about to have a setback.
Put the "like" button where comfort of reachability can be achieved.
Put the "like" button where comfort of reachability can be achieved.
Gave the setback alert tab more contrast to be visually alarming.
Gave the setback alert tab more contrast to be visually alarming.
Positioned "see all" text to the top right to align with my design system.
Positioned "see all" text to the top right to align with my design system.
High Fidelity Design
High Fidelity Design
05. REFLECTION
How can i improve the service?
What i learned
What next
Research, Research, Research
Some of my friends said I should spend less
time on research process, but honestly, the more
i put effort on research, better quality could be
achieved. I like how my design was able to include
much more in-depth under-standing of users’ pain
points thatwere key to defining the problem scope.
Prioritize target audience
When i first design the app, i was distracted by too
much information provided by wide range of voices
therefore i tried to satisfy all the users needs and
that’s the point I lost to make decisions. I learned
prioritizing the most concerned and overlapping
problem is crucial to take further steps in design
process.
Testing early and often.
It would’ve taken much longer and subjected me to
fall in bias if i struggled to make decisions by myself.
Luckily I was able to test my deliverables and got
objective feedbacks which kept me on track.
Enhance reward system
In the app, users can earn gems as rewards and use them to customize their characters to keep them motivated. This reward system was built for my target audience, the millennials. However I
came to realize that it may not satisfy wider range of user groups. In this case, I believe a couple of reward options such as growing plants or building a farm would provide more therapeutic effect for the users.
Extend trackability with wearable devices
Currently, app can track and predict behavior only if users manually enter their activities. However,
considering some users might not have enough natural willpower to do so, It may not be the best option. It would be powerful if the app could detect the users behavior with motion sensor of wearable devices and alarm the user who is about to have a setback.