Joyster App: A Revolutionary Approach to Mental Health

Paula Barcante's Award-Winning Mobile App Tracks Mental and Physical Well-being

Barcante's inspiration for Joyster stemmed from her personal experience with mental health issues. Frustrated by the lack of understanding and prevention methods for her panic attacks, she began tracking her mental and physical symptoms against her daily activities. After analyzing the data from twenty spreadsheets, she decided to create Joyster, a tool that simplifies this process for others.

Joyster stands out for its simplicity and ease of use. Adding an entry takes less than thirty seconds, and the app analyzes the data to provide personalized insights on activities and foods that are impacting the user's well-being. The app's design is attractive and clean, with daily illustrations on the dashboard to inspire a healthy lifestyle. Insights are straightforward, showing trends and triggers, and the app sends weekly improvement insights to each user.

The app was designed for both iOS and Android platforms, with Barcante overseeing the entire end-to-end experience. This included information architecture, persona development, UX research, UX design, visuals, illustrations, and the design system. The design and brand identity of Joyster focus on inspiring users to live their healthiest lives, with a wholesome, human vibe reflected in the color selection and clean aesthetic.

Barcante conducted two rounds of research to ensure Joyster would be user-friendly and effective. The first round involved eight user interviews to understand the market and interest in the app. The second round was a usability test to assess the app's navigability. Therapists also user tested the app, providing valuable feedback that was incorporated into the final design.

Despite the challenges of creating an effortless user experience and adding a scale for each symptom, Barcante successfully developed an app that is not only functional but also delightful. Joyster is an excellent example of how design and technology can come together to make a significant impact on mental health management.

Joyster's recognition with the Silver A' Design Award is a testament to Barcante's innovative approach and dedication to improving mental health. The award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill, and Joyster undoubtedly fits the bill. With its unique properties and user-centric design, Joyster is set to change the way individuals track and understand their mental health.