Overview

Therapy By Design explores the gap in mental health support for creatives and examines why so many do not seek help when they need it. Through research and user centered design, this concept creates an accessible platform that meets the emotional and practical needs of creative professionals.

My Approach

I led the full UX process, including research design, synthesis, experience strategy, wire framing, usability testing, and UI development. My goal was to validate the needs of creative professionals, define a clear product opportunity, and design a platform that reduces friction and encourages engagement.

Impact

• Surveyed 25 creative professionals across multiple disciplines. Survey link here.

• Identified that 96 percent lacked awareness of creative specific mental health resources

• Validated the need for a dedicated platform that provides relevant guidance and support

• Improved navigation clarity through usability testing with 10 participants

• Delivered a complete prototype and UI system aligned to user needs, tone, and accessibility

• Designed a scalable foundation for future features including workshops, guided therapy, and progress tracking

The Problem

Creative professionals experience high levels of stress, isolation, self doubt, and burnout. Most mental health platforms do not address the realities of creative work, leading to low engagement and unmet emotional needs. The challenge was to design a platform that speaks directly to these experiences and encourages users to seek support.

Research Summary

Research included mixed method surveys and open response prompts. Key findings:

• 88 percent reported frequent stress tied to creative work

• 96 percent reported experiencing mental health challenges connected to their profession

• 72 percent felt uncomfortable discussing mental health with peers

• 92 percent felt a dedicated creative mental health resource was important

Themes included fear of failure, career pressure, and isolation. These insights informed the product direction.

Defining the User

I created a persona based on the research insights to guide decision making.

Jeremy, an art director experiencing anxiety and imposter syndrome, represented the common needs and emotional patterns uncovered in the study. This persona clarified user motivations, frustrations, and desired outcomes.

Experience Goals

• Reduce emotional friction when exploring mental health support

• Provide creative specific resources and coping strategies

• Offer community touchpoints without adding pressure

• Create a calm, approachable, and easy to navigate platform

• Help users find clarity quickly and build continuous support habits

Information Architecture and Ideation

I mapped user pathways for finding resources, exploring articles, connecting with professionals, and accessing community spaces. Sketches and mid fidelity wireframes allowed rapid testing of layout, hierarchy, and navigation structure before moving to prototypes.

Usability Testing and Iteration

I conducted moderated testing with 10 participants. Feedback highlighted issues with labeling, content hierarchy, and call to action clarity. After iteration, users reported improved confidence in navigation and ease of finding relevant resources.

UI Design and Visual System

The interface uses a calming blue palette to support emotional comfort and create a sense of openness. Inter was chosen for clarity and readability. The design system focuses on clean layouts, accessible contrast, and minimal cognitive load to keep the experience supportive and distraction free.

What’s Next

The next phase focuses on expanding the platform’s capabilities. Priority areas include:

• Additional research on event and workshop formats tailored to creatives

• A potential mobile app version for increased accessibility

• Interactive guided therapy tools

• Journaling and emotional progress tracking features

• Partnerships with creative organizations and mental health professionals

Conclusion

Therapy By Design addresses a significant gap in mental health support for creatives. By grounding the concept in research and designing an experience tailored to real user needs, the platform has the potential to reduce isolation and empower creatives to manage their well being with more clarity and confidence.