(Abrazo Means "hug" in Spanish)
Abrazo is a mental health solution that offers instant support during panic attacks, helping users navigate distress while providing continuous emotional companionship for long-term well-being.
Duration
8 Weeks
My Role
UI Lead / Branding
Tools
Figma, Rhino, Keyshot, Illustrator
Team
2 other designers
The Problem
People experiencing panic attacks or severe anxiety often lack effective tools to manage their stress in the moment, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and without immediate relief options.
Panic attacks disproportionately affect individuals aged 16 to 30, with 11% of the U.S. population experiencing a panic attack annually and 3% suffering from panic disorder, however, only 1 in every 4 people ever seek treatment for their panic attack/anxiety disorder. It highlights the need for accessible, real-time support solution
The Solution
Create an inclusive and effective real-time strategy for individuals experiencing panic attacks to manage stress and alleviate symptoms in the moment, empowering them to regain control.
Hug is my solution, leveraging deep pressure therapy to provide individuals experiencing panic attacks with immediate relief and long-term emotional comfort, mimicking the soothing effects of a physical embrace.
Research
Quantitative Survey
Around 70% of respondents
mentioned the desire for a portable, wearable device that can deliver calming pressure during anxiety episodes
60% of respondents
said they struggle to calm down on their own during high-stress moments, highlighting the need for immediate support tools like Hug
140 Data Points
5 Themes
So, people want…
/ Immediate access to a solution that provides quick relief during panic attacks, ensuring it is simple and easy to use
/ Physical comfort, such as the sensation of a hug, as it helps reduce anxiety effectively through deep-pressure therapy
/ A discreet product that allows them to manage anxiety privately, without drawing attention in public settings
/ Ongoing emotional support that helps them manage anxiety not just in the moment, but over the long term
Qualitative Interviews
Insights from the Clinical Neurodiversity Behavioral Specialist at SCAD's Office of Neurodiversity Services
Neurodivergent individuals are highly sensitive to clothing materials, seams, and tags, which makes many existing solutions uncomfortable or unsuitable for their needs.
Current deep pressure therapy devices often feel restrictive or cause overheating, reducing comfort and long-term usability.
There is a need for a solution that effectively alleviates anxiety while ensuring comfort and ease of use, with the potential to provide long-term support for users.
Insights from 12 interviewees
People often feel comforted by the company of others during panic attacks, but they may hesitate to reach out due to feelings of being a burden or the fear of increasing anxiety if there is no response.
When experiencing a panic attack or suffering from anxiety, people prefer a smaller group of people around them.
Due to cultural differences, some people don't like a hug when they are sad.
Ideation
Target Audience
16 to 30 years old
Suffering from severe anxiety and has panic attacks
Looking for an effective relief tool to calm down in the moment
Meet Nia
This journey map captures Nia's emotional highs and lows, emphasizing the critical moments during her panic episodes where targeted interventions, like Abrazo, can offer immediate relief and lasting reassurance.
Competitors
Immediate Comfort/Relif
Long-term Emotional Support
Our Product can have...
Dual Relief (Immediate/Long-term support)
Portability
Tech Integration
Goals
Rea-ltime Relief
Long-Term Support
Sensory-Friendly Design
Design
User Flow
User Onboarding Flow
Home dashboard
Emotions
My Abrazo
Relief
Settings
Mood tracker
Apple Health Connection
Education and resources
Close Circle
Device settings
Activation history
Device control
Guided hug sessions
Mood tracker
Guided meditation sessions
Educational resources
Apple Health Connection
Education and resources
Psychiatrist/therapist connection tool
Close Circle
Features Overview
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Home
Emotion
Device
Relief A
Relief B
r
For the Relief feature, we explored two concepts. Concept A involved a more interactive experience where users could exchange hugs, while Concept B provided a more private stress relief session. Through additional interviews and A/B testing, we found that individuals experiencing anxiety preferred a private emotional regulation experience, so we ultimately chose Concept B.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
Based on the low-fidelity design, we refined it into a mid-fidelity prototype. The core features remain unchanged, but the flow has been enhanced to ensure a more seamless user experience. We are now ready to move forward with the next phase of user testing!
First Round User Testing
Tools
Figma/Figjam
# of Users Tested
10
Metrics
Satisfaction rates/Task completion rate
Tasks/activities
Log emotion and write a journal entry.
Start a destress session with the Abrazo device.
Access past emotion log and journal entry.
Connect health data to a secure app.
Set up a close circle of trusted contacts.
Pause permissions for a close circle member.
Turn off journal entry sharing with close circle.
Find instant panic attack relief resources.
Access Abrazo device control panel.
Change Abrazo device breathing mode.
Result and feedback we got
Add a voice feature to sessions since you can't see the words after closing your eyes
First instinct to share data with mental health provider was to go into settings or profile
Reword the “Abrazo” tab to “My Abrazo” since it can be confused with the home page
Include pictures during sessions
Add a confirmation after sharing mental health data with Apple Health
On/off button on Close Circle needs more contrast
Iteration
Created a settings page with Apple Health connection option
Renamed “Abrazo” tab to “My Abrazo” for more clarity
Added a successful Apple Health connection confirmation
Prototyping
Onboarding
Create an account, complete some settings, and start the stress-relief journey!
Home
We used a mood meter to define different emotion colors. Users can slide to select their current emotion and record how they’re feeling at the moment! Additionally, based on their current mood, we have something to say to the users!
Emotion
We use different colors on the mood meter to represent various emotional states. The users can observe their cyclical emotions through the gradient chart. They can also check their emotional journey at specific points in time.
We ensure privacy while allowing users to share data with Apple Health and their close circle, providing more professional emotional guidance and closer emotional support.
Relief
In the Relief section, the users can browse different categories to find a session that can help alleviate their current emotions (meditation, mindfulness, etc.).
Here is one of the meditation sessions...
Device
Users can control their device here, check history records, and switch breathing modes...
Setting
Manage the account info, export data, cloud sync, notifications, and apple health in setting.
Product
What's Next?
We want to make Abrazo better!
User testing is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of both the product and mobile app. We will conduct additional tests to validate improvements, optimize the user experience, and ensure seamless interaction between the device and app for better anxiety management.
We want to get money
Partner with health providers and insurers to offer Abrazo as a preventative solution, cutting ER visits, lowering costs, and driving revenue through reimbursements and coverage incentives.
