HugBox
Duration
5 weeks. May 2023
Team Members
Jenny Wang
Shafiqah Zulfikar
Jasmin Kim
Piper Xu
Qing Zhang
Skills Utilized
User Research
User Journey
Digital Prototyping
Visual Design
HTML/CSS
Summary
Hugbox is an AI chatbot that allows users to create their own virtual friends with unique personalities and traits that reflect their preferences, needs, and style. Hugbox enables users to build a deep emotional connection with virtual friends, enhancing their engagement with the app. With its user-focused approach, Hugbox is poised to transform how we think about chatbots, ushering in a new era of personalized conversation.
Designing a Personalized AI Chatbot for Emotional Support: The Hugbox Solution
The design objective for Hugbox is to create an AI chatbot app that offers a safe, confidential, accessible, and personalized space for users to vent, express their emotions, and receive support. This objective will be achieved by enabling users to connect with their virtual friend anytime and anywhere, with a tailored chatbot experience that reflects their unique needs and preferences. By focusing on these design goals, Hugbox will provide a valuable and meaningful chatbot experience for users who face stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
01 Research Analysis
Target User
Market Research Survey
Survey Data:
We surveyed 35 users between the age of 17-24, all currently in college.
Problem:
Despite the increasing use of chatbots in various industries, many users still find them impersonal and lacking in human-like interaction. Current chatbot technology often fails to provide a personalized experience that truly understands and reflects the user's preferences, needs, and style.
Conclusion
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Provide a more accessible and personalized solution.
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Offer a safe and confidential space for users to vent, express their emotions, and receive support.
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Connect with their virtual friend anytime, anywhere.
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Provide a tailored chatbot experience that reflects their unique needs and preferences.
02 Competitor Analysis
Existing Products
Main Takeaways
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Wysa offers a range of techniques such as CBT and meditation but lacks the personalization of Hugbox's AI chatbot.
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Rise Up provides users with a range of mental health resources, but lacks the conversational abilities of Hugbox's AI chatbot.
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Replica and InWorld allow users to create a virtual friend or world but are not specifically designed to provide emotional support.
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Other apps in the mental health space tend to focus on designing the physical features of characters or avatars, while Hugbox prioritizes designing the personality and conversational abilities of its AI chatbot.
03 Design Analysis
Storyboard
The storyboard begins by introducing the user to a captivating scenario where they encounter a common problem or seek assistance. Through an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface, the chatbot swiftly engages the user in a conversation, utilizing natural language processing to understand their needs accurately. Each storyboard frame captures key moments, highlighting the chatbot's ability to deliver relevant and helpful responses.
User Journey Map
As the user progresses along their journey, the map highlights the various touchpoints and interactions with the chatbot. For this project, the focus is on the onboarding experience and the process of designing characters. Each touchpoint represents an opportunity for the chatbot to deliver a helpful, efficient, and personalized experience.
Conversational Interaction Key Points
Design Style Guide
The design style guide for our AI chatbot project is centered around creating a user-friendly space that promotes a sense of safety, relaxation, and peace. To achieve this, we have chosen a calming sage green as the main color, complemented by cheerful orange accents for a touch of vibrancy. Embracing a more cartoonish character profile, we prioritize the conversation itself rather than fixating on physical appearances. By employing a user-centric design approach, we aim to provide an intuitive and enjoyable experience where users can fully engage with the chatbot, free from distractions and focused on meaningful interactions.
04 Design Solution
User Profile Setup
New User Onboarding
Create a New Character
Edit Character
View All Characters, Favorite a character
Start Chat
06 Conclusion
In conclusion, our project showcases a compelling vision for a chatbot experience that seamlessly integrates into users' lives. Through thoughtful storyboarding, a comprehensive user journey map, and a carefully crafted design style guide, we have demonstrated the power of AI-driven chatbots in enhancing user interactions. With more time, we would further develop the character design process, focusing on creating a visually appealing and relatable interface that complements the conversation. This project serves as a foundation for future exploration, paving the way for a future where chatbots become even more immersive and integral to our digital interactions.