Cerina is a medical-grade evidence-based digital therapist application providing disorder-specific psychological support through an interactive interface.
Cerina works to provide mental health support where conventional routes fail to deliver. It distinguishes itself from the oversaturated market of technological wellbeing services through its personalised treatment programme.
About the project
The aim of this project is to provide users with a suitable therapist avatar to accompany them in their Cerina mental heath journey.
This is mostly a research driven project.
Team
Timeline
1 Product Manager
1 UI designer
1 Illustrator
2 weeks
1 Researcher
1 Content strategist
My Role - UX Designer
Hypothesis
Users need a humanised version of the avatar - as per their perferences This would help them feel more connected to the therapist.
Exploring the concept of 'Avatars'
What is an avatar?
An icon or figure representing a particular person.
Purpose behind avatars in Cerina
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Provide a comfortable and safe space to open up.
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Provide a personalised experience through an anthropomorphic touchpoint.
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Facilitate the users with a choice to select their own buddy with whom they can relate to.
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Snese of empowerment and feeling of being in control may enhance the effectiveness and stickyness of users with Cerina.
Digital world of avatar and humanisation
Different types of digital avatars
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Digital image avatar
Mataverse avatar
AI avatar
Chatbot avatar
Process
Industry best practices
01
Competitive study
02
User interviews
03
Early recommendations
04
01. Industry best practices
Studied various products/ services that offer 'avatar approach' so that we can decide what is best suited in the context of Cerina.
Users are given options of existing coaches to choose from differentiated on the basis of ratings and level of expertise.
Fittr
Users can create custom avatars here - change the visual appearance of the characters as per their preference
Avataargenerator.com
GTA is a popular online game where users are given the option to build their custom avatar, where they can choose their preferred appearance, lifestyle and heritage.
GTA
Avatar approach in other products
Products/ services
Preference criteria
Profile information
Profile interaction
Gender
Location
Distance
Age
Religion
Age
Country
Religion
Caste
Marital Status
Height
Income
Location
Consultation fees
Symptoms
Treatment type
Specialities
Availability
Gender
Years of experience
Name
Consultation fees
Gender
Years of experience
Location
Patient reviews and stories
Rating
Slots
Distance
Education
List view -
Age, country, religion, caste, marital status, height, income
Detailed view -
Basic details, bio, family, interests, education and career, match between preferences and the profile
Bio
Age
Name
height
religion
interests
habits
loaction
distance
fun lines
Video consultation
Chat
Book in person appointment
Send interest
Chat
Shortlist
Select
Reject
Super swipe
Chat
Goal
Language
Area of expertise
Rating
Number of users
Enroll
Cerina like players - Competitor study
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03. User interviews
As a part of the process and to get some perspective we spoke to real users on how they select therapists or in future how they'd like to select therapists.
7 semi structure interviews were taken with the following screening criteria:
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1. Age group - 25 to 40
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2. Users who are undergoing therapy / looking for a therapist
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3. Users who are happy to share about their experiences
Current personification of a female mid-aged therapist may not be relatable to every user.
Every user has a different preference when it comes to choosing a therapist.
The user was the freedom and option to choose as per his/her preference.
Users are more confident in confiding when they've made an informed decision of choosing their therapist.
Gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, language, age, cultural background, appearance, personality - are some of the key user criterias for selecting a therapist.
03. Recommendations
01. Learn from user
Users give input on their preferences; and are then provided with a list of therapist avatars that are a close match to their preferences.
02. Give pre configured options
Provide users with 5-6 ready made avatars to choose from, with some details associated, so that the user is able to make an informed choice.
03. Define your own avatar
User can create their own custom therapist as per their preferences.
04. AI Avatar
An AI Avatar in human form will be there to have a spoken and textual conversation with the user.
To - be user journey map
Pick the therapist that relates to you the most
Give your preferences
Pick your desired space
Choose narrative style - video/ audio/ images
Sit back, relax and share!