Service Design
“Projekt Zachmurzenie”
About Project
Empathy
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Implement
Summary
Methodology:
Role:
Desk Research and observation
Conclusions and needs
Design Solution
Mixed survey questionnaire
Communications Planning and Material Production
Implementation and promotion
Monitoring and evaluation
Visualization, analysis and conclusions of the study
Graphic design of symbol and prototyping
Desk research on functioning symbols
Perceptual Maps of symbols by selected features
Context of symbol functioning
Value Proposition Canva and prioritization
Definition of the environment and context
Qualitative research (in-depth interview)
Insights
Desk Research and observation
"Projekt Zachmurzenie" is a response to the growing needs of people struggling with affective disorders. The project aims to reduce stigma, encourage open communication, and build public awareness of mental health issues. Projekt Zachmurzenie and the campaign are intended to initiate a conversation about this important topic. The project seeks to create an environment where everyone can feel accepted and supported.
Projekt Zachmurzenie, I applied elements of the Design Thinking method. Using this method, I was able to better understand the needs of people experiencing affective disorders and those who wish to help them. As a result, Projekt Zachmurzenie was user-centered, innovative, comprehensive and helped me to create working solutions to the challenge.
Service Designer / UX Researcher / Graphic Designer. In the project, I was responsible for the exploration, plan and execution of all research, generation of the design solution and implementation plan. I am also the author of graphic design, print and recording.
The first step taken before beginning the research was to map where the stigma problem exists and who is affected by it. I began the process with observation and Desk Research.
Based on the insights from the interview, I outlined the main needs of the audience, in response to which I aimed to create a safe, non-sympathetic environment.
My proposal to solve the problem of recognizing a safe environment, that is, people non-stigmatizing the topic of affective disorders, is to give a tool - a symbol. By expanding the audience, the symbol will not stigmatize this community, and at the same time will help identify people who are willing to talk about mood disorders.
During the symbol design phase, I created and conducted a qualitative survey to collect observations, feelings and associations, about symbols and affective disorders. Forty-six respondents took part in the survey. It was a mixed and anonymous survey.
The goal of implementing and promoting the campaign on Instagram was to build awareness about affective disorders, start a conversation about the topic, and provide support and inspiration to those experiencing these disorders. By publishing the process and explaining the project in stories and posting regularly, I aimed to keep people actively engaged and reach as many people as possible, building a community that actively participates in the mental health discussion and encourages others to be open and seek help.
The project around starting a conversation about affective disorders, based on the concept of a safe symbol-labeled environment, was full of inspiring findings and valuable conclusions. Through research, interviews, analysis and implementation, I was able to create an innovative solution that not only met the stated goals, but also generated strong emotions and positive feedback from the community. This project demonstrated the importance of an open and supportive environment in conversations about mental health, and how creative approaches can have a significant impact on improving the quality of life for those experiencing affective disorders.
*Projekt Zachmurzenie is a distinguished diploma project, realized as a bachelor's degree at the School of Form, under the mentorship of Henryk Stawicki and Jan Zamojski.
Before creating an account on Instagram, I made measurable assumptions. Throughout the process of publishing content on the profile, I tracked and analyzed my assumptions and feedback, because I wanted to get real data and feedback on the effectiveness of the campaign, user response and the level of community engagement.
Analyzing this data will allow me to better understand how my actions affect my audience, what content is most effective and what can be improved.
My project achieved the measurable objectives that were set earlier and even exceeded my expectations. I received extremely positive and emotionally charged feedback from the community. These results allowed me to confirm my earlier assumptions and research goals.
According to the survey, more than half of those surveyed struggle with mood disorders, and as many as 78.3% have a in their close circle a person who experiences these disorders.
Based on symmetry and geometric shapes, I created the first versions, which, further down the process, I used as a template. On subsequent layers, I made many attempts at hand-drawn sketches of the symbol.
After a deeper analysis of the meanings of the individual clouds and the differences between the emotions, I chose three clouds symbolizing the two opposite poles - depressive and manic, and a middle one symbolizing volatility - because I wanted to show the wide range of emotional experiences associated with affective disorders.
The names "apathy," "aggression" and "volatility" were chosen to succinctly and clearly convey the characteristics of these three emotional states that often occur in people affected by affective disorders. By placing these three different clouds side by side, I wanted to emphasize that emotions can change and move from one state to another, which is an important aspect of understanding and acceptance for those experiencing these disorders.
Negative feelings (sadness, anxiety, indifference) were associated with cold colors. Positive and manic feelings, on the other hand, were combined with warm colors.
More than half of the respondents linked "variability" to weather conditions, such as wind, waves or seasons. A slightly smaller proportion pointed to associations related to emotions and mood.
The shapes that were associated by respondents with variability can be divided into three groups. Almost half of the people pointed to rounded, wavy and irregular shapes.
This analysis provided valuable information to better understand how different symbols are perceived and their associations in the context of affective disorders. The choice of the cloud as a symbol was dictated by the fact that the cloud has a rounded shape, which is associated with softness and delicacy, and is also associated with weather, which symbolizes volatility and emotional transformation, which matched my intentions to create a symbol of a safe environment for people experiencing affective disorders.
Before attempting to define a symbol for the group I was creating, I embarked on an extensive Desk Research of symbols. Researching existing symbols was important because it enabled me to understand what meanings and associations various symbols have in the context of affective disorders, and what emotions they may evoke in people experiencing these disorders.
After reviewing the wide range of symbols already in use, I added to the them logos and designations for formations, groups and community initiatives. Expanding the group of symbols was helpful because it allowed me to better understand the perceptions and connections between different symbols in the context of the community. This helped to appropriately place my safe symbol in the context of existing impressions and associations.
Putting the context of the symbol's functioning on the "as is / to be" matrix was important because it allowed me to see the difference between the current state, i.e. how symbols are currently perceived and used in the context of affective disorders, and what state I would like to achieve with my safe symbol. This gave me clear guidance and direction on how to determine the perception and functioning of the symbol to suit my goals and the expectations of the audience.
The Value Proposition Canvas and prioritization in this project aimed to define the value proposition precisely, understand the needs of the audience, and allocate resources efficiently to achieve the desired results.
The definition of a safe environment is helpful in taking the path forward. First of all such an environment should be recognizable and non-stigmatizing. In order for it to fulfill these functions, I decided to broaden the audience to include people who are open to talking about affective disorders. In this way, I avoided stigmatizing a particular social group by removing the the label of experiencing a mood disorder.
The expectations and benefits that a safe environment can bring are dominated by a sense of understanding and support. This establishes a connection and trust that helps people open up. Equally important is getting advice from a more experienced person, especially at the beginning of the disorder, when a sense of anxiety and confusion is prevalent in a person. One of the highest pitfalls is the fear of being misinterpreted by the other person. The inability to predict what beliefs a potential discussant holds carries uncertainty about his or her reaction to the disorder.
To verify this information and learn more about the subject, I conducted in-depth interviews. For a project about starting a conversation about affective disorders, in-depth interviews are an especially valuable tool for gaining a deeper understanding of people's perspectives and their needs related to this topic. This allows for designing solutions that are fully tailored to their experiences and contribute to creating more effective and useful support tools. In an earlier step, I also found visual inspiration on which I could base one of the three parts of the interviews.
The findings from the in-depth interview were crucial to the project, allowing for a better understanding of the needs and perspectives of people with affective disorders. They made it possible to focus on the most important aspects of creating a safe environment and effective communication that will respond to users' needs and contribute to improving their mental well-being.
Service Design
“Projekt Zachmurzenie”
About Project
Empathy
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Implement
Summary
Methodology:
Role:
Desk Research and observation
Conclusions and needs
Design Solution
Mixed survey questionnaire
Communications Planning and Material Production
Implementation and promotion
Monitoring and evaluation
Visualization, analysis and conclusions of the study
Graphic design of symbol and prototyping
Desk research on functioning symbols
Perceptual Maps of symbols by selected features
Context of symbol functioning
Value Proposition Canva and prioritization
Definition of the environment and context
Qualitative research (in-depth interview)
Insights
Desk Research and observation
"Projekt Zachmurzenie" is a response to the growing needs of people struggling with affective disorders. The project aims to reduce stigma, encourage open communication, and build public awareness of mental health issues. Projekt Zachmurzenie and the campaign are intended to initiate a conversation about this important topic. The project seeks to create an environment where everyone can feel accepted and supported.
Projekt Zachmurzenie, I applied elements of the Design Thinking method. Using this method, I was able to better understand the needs of people experiencing affective disorders and those who wish to help them. As a result, Projekt Zachmurzenie was user-centered, innovative, comprehensive and helped me to create working solutions to the challenge.
Service Designer / UX Researcher / Graphic Designer. In the project, I was responsible for the exploration, plan and execution of all research, generation of the design solution and implementation plan. I am also the author of graphic design, print and recording.
The first step taken before beginning the research was to map where the stigma problem exists and who is affected by it. I began the process with observation and Desk Research.
Based on the insights from the interview, I outlined the main needs of the audience, in response to which I aimed to create a safe, non-sympathetic environment.
My proposal to solve the problem of recognizing a safe environment, that is, people non-stigmatizing the topic of affective disorders, is to give a tool - a symbol. By expanding the audience, the symbol will not stigmatize this community, and at the same time will help identify people who are willing to talk about mood disorders.
During the symbol design phase, I created and conducted a qualitative survey to collect observations, feelings and associations, about symbols and affective disorders. Forty-six respondents took part in the survey. It was a mixed and anonymous survey.
The goal of implementing and promoting the campaign on Instagram was to build awareness about affective disorders, start a conversation about the topic, and provide support and inspiration to those experiencing these disorders. By publishing the process and explaining the project in stories and posting regularly, I aimed to keep people actively engaged and reach as many people as possible, building a community that actively participates in the mental health discussion and encourages others to be open and seek help.
The project around starting a conversation about affective disorders, based on the concept of a safe symbol-labeled environment, was full of inspiring findings and valuable conclusions. Through research, interviews, analysis and implementation, I was able to create an innovative solution that not only met the stated goals, but also generated strong emotions and positive feedback from the community. This project demonstrated the importance of an open and supportive environment in conversations about mental health, and how creative approaches can have a significant impact on improving the quality of life for those experiencing affective disorders.
*Projekt Zachmurzenie is a distinguished diploma project, realized as a bachelor's degree at the School of Form, under the mentorship of Henryk Stawicki and Jan Zamojski.
Before creating an account on Instagram, I made measurable assumptions. Throughout the process of publishing content on the profile, I tracked and analyzed my assumptions and feedback, because I wanted to get real data and feedback on the effectiveness of the campaign, user response and the level of community engagement.
Analyzing this data will allow me to better understand how my actions affect my audience, what content is most effective and what can be improved.
My project achieved the measurable objectives that were set earlier and even exceeded my expectations. I received extremely positive and emotionally charged feedback from the community. These results allowed me to confirm my earlier assumptions and research goals.
According to the survey, more than half of those surveyed struggle with mood disorders, and as many as 78.3% have a in their close circle a person who experiences these disorders.
Based on symmetry and geometric shapes, I created the first versions, which, further down the process, I used as a template. On subsequent layers, I made many attempts at hand-drawn sketches of the symbol.
After a deeper analysis of the meanings of the individual clouds and the differences between the emotions, I chose three clouds symbolizing the two opposite poles - depressive and manic, and a middle one symbolizing volatility - because I wanted to show the wide range of emotional experiences associated with affective disorders.
The names "apathy," "aggression" and "volatility" were chosen to succinctly and clearly convey the characteristics of these three emotional states that often occur in people affected by affective disorders. By placing these three different clouds side by side, I wanted to emphasize that emotions can change and move from one state to another, which is an important aspect of understanding and acceptance for those experiencing these disorders.
Negative feelings (sadness, anxiety, indifference) were associated with cold colors. Positive and manic feelings, on the other hand, were combined with warm colors.
More than half of the respondents linked "variability" to weather conditions, such as wind, waves or seasons. A slightly smaller proportion pointed to associations related to emotions and mood.
The shapes that were associated by respondents with variability can be divided into three groups. Almost half of the people pointed to rounded, wavy and irregular shapes.
This analysis provided valuable information to better understand how different symbols are perceived and their associations in the context of affective disorders. The choice of the cloud as a symbol was dictated by the fact that the cloud has a rounded shape, which is associated with softness and delicacy, and is also associated with weather, which symbolizes volatility and emotional transformation, which matched my intentions to create a symbol of a safe environment for people experiencing affective disorders.
Before attempting to define a symbol for the group I was creating, I embarked on an extensive Desk Research of symbols. Researching existing symbols was important because it enabled me to understand what meanings and associations various symbols have in the context of affective disorders, and what emotions they may evoke in people experiencing these disorders.
After reviewing the wide range of symbols already in use, I added to the them logos and designations for formations, groups and community initiatives. Expanding the group of symbols was helpful because it allowed me to better understand the perceptions and connections between different symbols in the context of the community. This helped to appropriately place my safe symbol in the context of existing impressions and associations.
Putting the context of the symbol's functioning on the "as is / to be" matrix was important because it allowed me to see the difference between the current state, i.e. how symbols are currently perceived and used in the context of affective disorders, and what state I would like to achieve with my safe symbol. This gave me clear guidance and direction on how to determine the perception and functioning of the symbol to suit my goals and the expectations of the audience.
The Value Proposition Canvas and prioritization in this project aimed to define the value proposition precisely, understand the needs of the audience, and allocate resources efficiently to achieve the desired results.
The definition of a safe environment is helpful in taking the path forward. First of all such an environment should be recognizable and non-stigmatizing. In order for it to fulfill these functions, I decided to broaden the audience to include people who are open to talking about affective disorders. In this way, I avoided stigmatizing a particular social group by removing the the label of experiencing a mood disorder.
The expectations and benefits that a safe environment can bring are dominated by a sense of understanding and support. This establishes a connection and trust that helps people open up. Equally important is getting advice from a more experienced person, especially at the beginning of the disorder, when a sense of anxiety and confusion is prevalent in a person. One of the highest pitfalls is the fear of being misinterpreted by the other person. The inability to predict what beliefs a potential discussant holds carries uncertainty about his or her reaction to the disorder.
To verify this information and learn more about the subject, I conducted in-depth interviews. For a project about starting a conversation about affective disorders, in-depth interviews are an especially valuable tool for gaining a deeper understanding of people's perspectives and their needs related to this topic. This allows for designing solutions that are fully tailored to their experiences and contribute to creating more effective and useful support tools. In an earlier step, I also found visual inspiration on which I could base one of the three parts of the interviews.
The findings from the in-depth interview were crucial to the project, allowing for a better understanding of the needs and perspectives of people with affective disorders. They made it possible to focus on the most important aspects of creating a safe environment and effective communication that will respond to users' needs and contribute to improving their mental well-being.
Service Design
“Projekt Zachmurzenie”
About Project
Empathy
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Implement
Summary
Methodology:
Role:
Desk Research and observation
Conclusions and needs
Design Solution
Mixed survey questionnaire
Communications Planning and Material Production
Implementation and promotion
Monitoring and evaluation
Visualization, analysis and conclusions of the study
Graphic design of symbol and prototyping
Desk research on functioning symbols
Perceptual Maps of symbols by selected features
Context of symbol functioning
Value Proposition Canva and prioritization
Definition of the environment and context
Qualitative research (in-depth interview)
Insights
Desk Research and observation
"Projekt Zachmurzenie" is a response to the growing needs of people struggling with affective disorders. The project aims to reduce stigma, encourage open communication, and build public awareness of mental health issues. Projekt Zachmurzenie and the campaign are intended to initiate a conversation about this important topic. The project seeks to create an environment where everyone can feel accepted and supported.
Projekt Zachmurzenie, I applied elements of the Design Thinking method. Using this method, I was able to better understand the needs of people experiencing affective disorders and those who wish to help them. As a result, Projekt Zachmurzenie was user-centered, innovative, comprehensive and helped me to create working solutions to the challenge.
Service Designer / UX Researcher / Graphic Designer. In the project, I was responsible for the exploration, plan and execution of all research, generation of the design solution and implementation plan. I am also the author of graphic design, print and recording.
The first step taken before beginning the research was to map where the stigma problem exists and who is affected by it. I began the process with observation and Desk Research.
Based on the insights from the interview, I outlined the main needs of the audience, in response to which I aimed to create a safe, non-sympathetic environment.
My proposal to solve the problem of recognizing a safe environment, that is, people non-stigmatizing the topic of affective disorders, is to give a tool - a symbol. By expanding the audience, the symbol will not stigmatize this community, and at the same time will help identify people who are willing to talk about mood disorders.
During the symbol design phase, I created and conducted a qualitative survey to collect observations, feelings and associations, about symbols and affective disorders. Forty-six respondents took part in the survey. It was a mixed and anonymous survey.
The goal of implementing and promoting the campaign on Instagram was to build awareness about affective disorders, start a conversation about the topic, and provide support and inspiration to those experiencing these disorders. By publishing the process and explaining the project in stories and posting regularly, I aimed to keep people actively engaged and reach as many people as possible, building a community that actively participates in the mental health discussion and encourages others to be open and seek help.
The project around starting a conversation about affective disorders, based on the concept of a safe symbol-labeled environment, was full of inspiring findings and valuable conclusions. Through research, interviews, analysis and implementation, I was able to create an innovative solution that not only met the stated goals, but also generated strong emotions and positive feedback from the community. This project demonstrated the importance of an open and supportive environment in conversations about mental health, and how creative approaches can have a significant impact on improving the quality of life for those experiencing affective disorders.
*Projekt Zachmurzenie is a distinguished diploma project, realized as a bachelor's degree at the School of Form, under the mentorship of Henryk Stawicki and Jan Zamojski.
Before creating an account on Instagram, I made measurable assumptions. Throughout the process of publishing content on the profile, I tracked and analyzed my assumptions and feedback, because I wanted to get real data and feedback on the effectiveness of the campaign, user response and the level of community engagement.
Analyzing this data will allow me to better understand how my actions affect my audience, what content is most effective and what can be improved.
My project achieved the measurable objectives that were set earlier and even exceeded my expectations. I received extremely positive and emotionally charged feedback from the community. These results allowed me to confirm my earlier assumptions and research goals.
According to the survey, more than half of those surveyed struggle with mood disorders, and as many as 78.3% have a in their close circle a person who experiences these disorders.
Based on symmetry and geometric shapes, I created the first versions, which, further down the process, I used as a template. On subsequent layers, I made many attempts at hand-drawn sketches of the symbol.
After a deeper analysis of the meanings of the individual clouds and the differences between the emotions, I chose three clouds symbolizing the two opposite poles - depressive and manic, and a middle one symbolizing volatility - because I wanted to show the wide range of emotional experiences associated with affective disorders.
The names "apathy," "aggression" and "volatility" were chosen to succinctly and clearly convey the characteristics of these three emotional states that often occur in people affected by affective disorders. By placing these three different clouds side by side, I wanted to emphasize that emotions can change and move from one state to another, which is an important aspect of understanding and acceptance for those experiencing these disorders.
Negative feelings (sadness, anxiety, indifference) were associated with cold colors. Positive and manic feelings, on the other hand, were combined with warm colors.
More than half of the respondents linked "variability" to weather conditions, such as wind, waves or seasons. A slightly smaller proportion pointed to associations related to emotions and mood.
The shapes that were associated by respondents with variability can be divided into three groups. Almost half of the people pointed to rounded, wavy and irregular shapes.
This analysis provided valuable information to better understand how different symbols are perceived and their associations in the context of affective disorders. The choice of the cloud as a symbol was dictated by the fact that the cloud has a rounded shape, which is associated with softness and delicacy, and is also associated with weather, which symbolizes volatility and emotional transformation, which matched my intentions to create a symbol of a safe environment for people experiencing affective disorders.
Before attempting to define a symbol for the group I was creating, I embarked on an extensive Desk Research of symbols. Researching existing symbols was important because it enabled me to understand what meanings and associations various symbols have in the context of affective disorders, and what emotions they may evoke in people experiencing these disorders.
After reviewing the wide range of symbols already in use, I added to the them logos and designations for formations, groups and community initiatives. Expanding the group of symbols was helpful because it allowed me to better understand the perceptions and connections between different symbols in the context of the community. This helped to appropriately place my safe symbol in the context of existing impressions and associations.
Putting the context of the symbol's functioning on the "as is / to be" matrix was important because it allowed me to see the difference between the current state, i.e. how symbols are currently perceived and used in the context of affective disorders, and what state I would like to achieve with my safe symbol. This gave me clear guidance and direction on how to determine the perception and functioning of the symbol to suit my goals and the expectations of the audience.
The Value Proposition Canvas and prioritization in this project aimed to define the value proposition precisely, understand the needs of the audience, and allocate resources efficiently to achieve the desired results.
The definition of a safe environment is helpful in taking the path forward. First of all such an environment should be recognizable and non-stigmatizing. In order for it to fulfill these functions, I decided to broaden the audience to include people who are open to talking about affective disorders. In this way, I avoided stigmatizing a particular social group by removing the the label of experiencing a mood disorder.
The expectations and benefits that a safe environment can bring are dominated by a sense of understanding and support. This establishes a connection and trust that helps people open up. Equally important is getting advice from a more experienced person, especially at the beginning of the disorder, when a sense of anxiety and confusion is prevalent in a person. One of the highest pitfalls is the fear of being misinterpreted by the other person. The inability to predict what beliefs a potential discussant holds carries uncertainty about his or her reaction to the disorder.
To verify this information and learn more about the subject, I conducted in-depth interviews. For a project about starting a conversation about affective disorders, in-depth interviews are an especially valuable tool for gaining a deeper understanding of people's perspectives and their needs related to this topic. This allows for designing solutions that are fully tailored to their experiences and contribute to creating more effective and useful support tools. In an earlier step, I also found visual inspiration on which I could base one of the three parts of the interviews.
The findings from the in-depth interview were crucial to the project, allowing for a better understanding of the needs and perspectives of people with affective disorders. They made it possible to focus on the most important aspects of creating a safe environment and effective communication that will respond to users' needs and contribute to improving their mental well-being.
Service Design
“Projekt Zachmurzenie”
About Project
Empathy
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Implement
Summary
Methodology:
Role:
Desk Research and observation
Conclusions and needs
Design Solution
Mixed survey questionnaire
Communications Planning and Material Production
Implementation and promotion
Monitoring and evaluation
Visualization, analysis and conclusions of the study
Graphic design of symbol and prototyping
Desk research on functioning symbols
Perceptual Maps of symbols by selected features
Context of symbol functioning
Value Proposition Canva and prioritization
Definition of the environment and context
Qualitative research (in-depth interview)
Insights
Desk Research and observation
"Projekt Zachmurzenie" is a response to the growing needs of people struggling with affective disorders. The project aims to reduce stigma, encourage open communication, and build public awareness of mental health issues. Projekt Zachmurzenie and the campaign are intended to initiate a conversation about this important topic. The project seeks to create an environment where everyone can feel accepted and supported.
Projekt Zachmurzenie, I applied elements of the Design Thinking method. Using this method, I was able to better understand the needs of people experiencing affective disorders and those who wish to help them. As a result, Projekt Zachmurzenie was user-centered, innovative, comprehensive and helped me to create working solutions to the challenge.
Service Designer / UX Researcher / Graphic Designer. In the project, I was responsible for the exploration, plan and execution of all research, generation of the design solution and implementation plan. I am also the author of graphic design, print and recording.
The first step taken before beginning the research was to map where the stigma problem exists and who is affected by it. I began the process with observation and Desk Research.
Based on the insights from the interview, I outlined the main needs of the audience, in response to which I aimed to create a safe, non-sympathetic environment.
My proposal to solve the problem of recognizing a safe environment, that is, people non-stigmatizing the topic of affective disorders, is to give a tool - a symbol. By expanding the audience, the symbol will not stigmatize this community, and at the same time will help identify people who are willing to talk about mood disorders.
During the symbol design phase, I created and conducted a qualitative survey to collect observations, feelings and associations, about symbols and affective disorders. Forty-six respondents took part in the survey. It was a mixed and anonymous survey.
The goal of implementing and promoting the campaign on Instagram was to build awareness about affective disorders, start a conversation about the topic, and provide support and inspiration to those experiencing these disorders. By publishing the process and explaining the project in stories and posting regularly, I aimed to keep people actively engaged and reach as many people as possible, building a community that actively participates in the mental health discussion and encourages others to be open and seek help.
The project around starting a conversation about affective disorders, based on the concept of a safe symbol-labeled environment, was full of inspiring findings and valuable conclusions. Through research, interviews, analysis and implementation, I was able to create an innovative solution that not only met the stated goals, but also generated strong emotions and positive feedback from the community. This project demonstrated the importance of an open and supportive environment in conversations about mental health, and how creative approaches can have a significant impact on improving the quality of life for those experiencing affective disorders.
*Projekt Zachmurzenie is a distinguished diploma project, realized as a bachelor's degree at the School of Form, under the mentorship of Henryk Stawicki and Jan Zamojski.
Before creating an account on Instagram, I made measurable assumptions. Throughout the process of publishing content on the profile, I tracked and analyzed my assumptions and feedback, because I wanted to get real data and feedback on the effectiveness of the campaign, user response and the level of community engagement.
Analyzing this data will allow me to better understand how my actions affect my audience, what content is most effective and what can be improved.
My project achieved the measurable objectives that were set earlier and even exceeded my expectations. I received extremely positive and emotionally charged feedback from the community. These results allowed me to confirm my earlier assumptions and research goals.
According to the survey, more than half of those surveyed struggle with mood disorders, and as many as 78.3% have a in their close circle a person who experiences these disorders.
Based on symmetry and geometric shapes, I created the first versions, which, further down the process, I used as a template. On subsequent layers, I made many attempts at hand-drawn sketches of the symbol.
After a deeper analysis of the meanings of the individual clouds and the differences between the emotions, I chose three clouds symbolizing the two opposite poles - depressive and manic, and a middle one symbolizing volatility - because I wanted to show the wide range of emotional experiences associated with affective disorders.
The names "apathy," "aggression" and "volatility" were chosen to succinctly and clearly convey the characteristics of these three emotional states that often occur in people affected by affective disorders. By placing these three different clouds side by side, I wanted to emphasize that emotions can change and move from one state to another, which is an important aspect of understanding and acceptance for those experiencing these disorders.
Negative feelings (sadness, anxiety, indifference) were associated with cold colors. Positive and manic feelings, on the other hand, were combined with warm colors.
More than half of the respondents linked "variability" to weather conditions, such as wind, waves or seasons. A slightly smaller proportion pointed to associations related to emotions and mood.
The shapes that were associated by respondents with variability can be divided into three groups. Almost half of the people pointed to rounded, wavy and irregular shapes.
This analysis provided valuable information to better understand how different symbols are perceived and their associations in the context of affective disorders. The choice of the cloud as a symbol was dictated by the fact that the cloud has a rounded shape, which is associated with softness and delicacy, and is also associated with weather, which symbolizes volatility and emotional transformation, which matched my intentions to create a symbol of a safe environment for people experiencing affective disorders.
Before attempting to define a symbol for the group I was creating, I embarked on an extensive Desk Research of symbols. Researching existing symbols was important because it enabled me to understand what meanings and associations various symbols have in the context of affective disorders, and what emotions they may evoke in people experiencing these disorders.
After reviewing the wide range of symbols already in use, I added to the them logos and designations for formations, groups and community initiatives. Expanding the group of symbols was helpful because it allowed me to better understand the perceptions and connections between different symbols in the context of the community. This helped to appropriately place my safe symbol in the context of existing impressions and associations.
Putting the context of the symbol's functioning on the "as is / to be" matrix was important because it allowed me to see the difference between the current state, i.e. how symbols are currently perceived and used in the context of affective disorders, and what state I would like to achieve with my safe symbol. This gave me clear guidance and direction on how to determine the perception and functioning of the symbol to suit my goals and the expectations of the audience.
The Value Proposition Canvas and prioritization in this project aimed to define the value proposition precisely, understand the needs of the audience, and allocate resources efficiently to achieve the desired results.
The definition of a safe environment is helpful in taking the path forward. First of all such an environment should be recognizable and non-stigmatizing. In order for it to fulfill these functions, I decided to broaden the audience to include people who are open to talking about affective disorders. In this way, I avoided stigmatizing a particular social group by removing the the label of experiencing a mood disorder.
The expectations and benefits that a safe environment can bring are dominated by a sense of understanding and support. This establishes a connection and trust that helps people open up. Equally important is getting advice from a more experienced person, especially at the beginning of the disorder, when a sense of anxiety and confusion is prevalent in a person. One of the highest pitfalls is the fear of being misinterpreted by the other person. The inability to predict what beliefs a potential discussant holds carries uncertainty about his or her reaction to the disorder.
To verify this information and learn more about the subject, I conducted in-depth interviews. For a project about starting a conversation about affective disorders, in-depth interviews are an especially valuable tool for gaining a deeper understanding of people's perspectives and their needs related to this topic. This allows for designing solutions that are fully tailored to their experiences and contribute to creating more effective and useful support tools. In an earlier step, I also found visual inspiration on which I could base one of the three parts of the interviews.
The findings from the in-depth interview were crucial to the project, allowing for a better understanding of the needs and perspectives of people with affective disorders. They made it possible to focus on the most important aspects of creating a safe environment and effective communication that will respond to users' needs and contribute to improving their mental well-being.