web design / research / b2c

Building an MVP to support Mental Health patients

ROLE

UX Designer/
Researcher

EXPERTISE

Web Design, B2C

YEAR

2022

Project description

From April to August 2022, I worked as the UX Designer on a 5-month venture project for Gundersen Health, partnered with Mach49, focused on supporting patients suffering from Suicide, PTSD, Anxiety, Chronic Pain, and Depression (SPACD). Our goal was to develop a scalable and trustworthy care model that combines neuroanatomical behavioral therapies in a safe and professional setting.


I collaborated closely with a cross-functional team, including 2 other UXers, research support, project leads, and client-side advisors. My core responsibilities included early-stage experience concepting, designing wireframes in Figma and Balsamiq, and co-synthesizing research findings in Miro to inform product direction. I worked hands-on across the research-to-design process, helping translate patient needs into design decisions grounded in empathy and clinical relevance.


**Due to NDAs, I will not be able to show full details. Please reach out for further information.

Process

Discover

We conducted over 75 open-ended and expert interviews alongside a pain-point prioritization exercise to deeply understand the mental and physical challenges SPACD patients face

Define

We synthesized research into personas and journey maps to highlight emotional inflection points and unmet needs across the care journey.

Develop

Using storyboards and low-fidelity prototypes, we explored solution concepts and iterated based on direct user feedback.

Deliver

We continuously tested final prototypes with patients and stakeholders to ensure the experience felt safe, clear, and clinically aligned.

Solution

  • Trusted Delivery Model:

    Services through reputable health systems to build patient trust and ensure clinical integrity.

  • Personalized & Empathetic Experience:

    A care model that adapts to varying levels of patient intensity, ensuring each individual feels seen, supported, and safe.

Results

90%+ user alignment

On proposed service offerings in feedback sessions, indicating strong product-market fit and user interest.

60+ 1:1 user interviews

Conducted with SPACD patients and mental health experts, ensuring deep empathy and grounded insights.

Collaborated across 4 disciplines

Including design, research, product, and clinical experts to build a unified solution framework.

Final Prototype

Conclusion

Our 5-month project finalized in a successful MVP that addressed the core needs of patients navigating mental health challenges. The solution offered a calming, accessible experience grounded in user research and clinical context. Our work helped stakeholders align around a shared product vision.


This project deepened my experience designing from 0 to 1, especially for sensitive, high-empathy use cases. I sharpened my ability to translate emotional and behavioral insights into actionable design, balancing clarity with compassion. Working in the mental health space also reinforced the importance of accessibility, thoughtful tone, and non-linear user journeys.


Looking ahead, I'm eager to continue designing with empathy, especially in health tech and mission-driven products where thoughtful UX has real emotional impact.