High School Problem Program Research

Initial Concept: The initial concept for this project is to aid high schoolers in their struggles by getting answers to their problems anonymously from other students. At the moment this could be done as an app, website or school projection. There could even be a combination of approaches.

Pre-existing programs like this:

The Student Room:

The Student Room could be used as an example of ways that the question system could be laid out. Not only is this a base for academic support, but it is also used for relationship and health advice which is what I want the main focus of my project to be. This relies on quite a complex set of threads to find a relevant topic, which is something I want to steer away from. The complexity means that the website is fully functional and can be used to its best potential, but the format is quite 'klunky' and dated.

Not only this but the actual design is fairly childish. For something that is meant to be for young adults - looking to find answers about their future/their lives - it appears to be patronising on the outset. With bright blues and a blocky typeface the audience isn't respected, although perhaps this is purposeful in order for them to be approachable and not seem intimidating. Either way the aesthetic could be altered to seem 'safe' and 'approachable' but also mature and appropriate for the age demographic.

 

 

Vent:

Vent is an app for android and ios which is themed on anonymously posting messages onto your feed about how you're feeling. One of the apps biggest features is to list a feeling to go with your post, e.g. 'sad', 'disappointed', 'excited' etc. This is quite handy as it allows shy people to find simpler ways of telling people what they're feeling without having to construct something too complicated to someone they know in real life. I want to replicate this simplicity and also use the anonymous theme. I think when something becomes anonymous people are a lot more likely to confess worries/weaknesses and could lead to them getting some considerate advice. Although feedback is an aspect of vent, its main purpose is almost to throw your emotions 'into the void' rather than letting them consume you. I want my app to be centred around getting good/considered responses to issues. 

It also takes a more stylised approach than the Student Room does. The bright orange/pink gradient works to seem vibrant and youthful. It is reminiscent of the Instagram app design which is incredibly current at the moment. The fact it's logo is the inside of a mouth makes it quite unique and takes a more 'cool' approach too. This is definitely something I want to follow for the design of my own app.

Whisper (app):

Whisper is an app that allows people to confess secrets to the wider world and start chatting to strangers as a result. This works based on distance around the user and conjures people to a similar location. Although I like the concept of this, I think it is very flawed in some ways as it could be quite dangerous to be chatting to strangers about deep concerns. I want to limit the ability to chat in my app to focus on the advice being given to issues, rather than a relationship being formed between the two users.

The bright purple design is also quite youthful and is unique within the current popular apps - not many are this colour. However in some respects I find the bright colour a bit tacky and too bright, it feels like it lacks taste in some ways. Especially as this design is aimed at people who need to feel safe when using this app, I don't find it particularly approachable. My own app needs to use a mature colour but also one that isn't too invasive to the eyes!