SANE Well
UArizona Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program
Project Duration: January 2021 - Present
Team: An Instructional Specialist, a Developer, a UX/UI Designer, three Adult SANEs, two Pediatric SANEs, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a Professor of Pediatrics specializing in Nutrition, and two individuals with Master of Public Health degrees.
Project Overview
My role: Lead UX Designer and Marketing Specialist, overseeing SANE Well from conception through development, as well as managing marketing and promotion efforts for the app both before and after launch.
Responsibilities: Conducting interviews, paper and digital wireframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, and iterating on designs. Additionally, creating the brand identity and developing the style guide to ensure a cohesive and compelling brand image.
The Product
The SANE Well app was developed by the University of Arizona’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This app was designed to promote SANE resiliency and decrease the detrimental psychological and emotional effects of their work. The app allows SANEs access to information that would support their mental health in a non-clinical setting.
The problem: High levels of burnout and retention within the SANE community.
The goal: Design an app that addresses and provides support to SANEs and decreases the detrimental psychological and emotional effects in their work.
User Research
The SANE Well app was developed after initial research with practicing SANEs. These SANEs were recruited from the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) to make the initial decision about developing an app.
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Secondary research was conducted during a SANE clinical skills lab. Through our research, we discovered the types of technical and behavioral support needed to remain professionally competent and personally healthy as a SANE. Using this, relevant content was developed centering on the target users. Next, we drew up three primary functions to be included on the app to help SANEs in their day-to-day: a self check-in, self-care activities, and clinical resources.
SANE's Insights
Starting the Design
First, the Self Check-In was created. This represents a space where users can indicate how they feel on a daily basis. In the Self-Care Activities section, users will find examples of activities and tools to improve their mental health, physical health, and quality of life through a comfortable work/life balance. Finally, in the SANE Educational Resources section, users will find access to relevant information that can help SANEs with their day-to-day job responsibilities.
Low-fidelity Prototype
To create a low-fidelity prototype, a template was adapted to create the primary user experience flow diagram and the preliminary screen layouts.
View the SANE Well low-fidelity prototype.
Style Guide
SANE Well Logo
To craft the perfect name for our logo, our primary goal was to create an instant connection with our target audience, who are SANEs. We aimed for a name that not only resonated with them but also conveyed the core purpose of our app, which is to effectively combat burnout among nurses. After careful consideration, we settled on the name "SANE Well" as it seamlessly blends with the identity of SANEs while subtly hinting at our mission to promote their well-being and mental health.
Thumbnail
We designed a circle of circles to symbolize the Sane Well brand and our project. The progression from a large circle to a smaller ones represents the cyclical nature of life.
Logomark
We've chosen dark blue for the icon and white for the background of our app icon to seamlessly align with the University of Arizona's branding. These colors are a perfect match for the university's primary color scheme, underlining our connection to their app portfolio.
User Research
Further research was pursued with SANEs participating in a summer skill-based lab. A link was distributed containing the prototype's main user flow, and open-ended questions were asked pertaining to each of the primary parts of the app.
Responses included many helpful ideas for more content that would be useful for a SANE.
Feedback was also received about how users responded to our design and how it could be improved. The prototype was updated to reflect the feedback and suggestions.
Refining the Design
High-fidelity Prototype
The high-fidelity prototype continued to build on the low-fidelity prototype user flow. A “Self-Assessment” tool was also added to provide insight into a SANE’s health and well-being.
Trigger Warning: The following content may contain sensitive or distressing information.
View the SANE Well high-fidelity prototype.
Accessibility Considerations
Used labeled icons to help improve ease of navigation.
Color considerations and contrast ratios checked in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Preparing For App Launch
Finalize Development
Before launching the app, we conducted final user testing with community nurses in the UArizona SANE Program, introducing the app at the start of their training. We encouraged its use throughout the program as part of a self-care tool. Post-training, we gathered feedback and changes/fixes accordingly.
App Store Optimization (ASO)
We created App Store Optimization (ASO), crafting both long and short descriptions, selecting high-traffic keywords, and designing visuals for the Google Play Store and the App Store. We collaborated closely with the University of Arizona's IT department to seamlessly integrate the app into their portfolio, using their credentials. We followed each app store's submission guidelines meticulously, preparing metadata and screenshots accordingly, and strategically chose a launch date and time to align with our marketing efforts, ensuring a successful and user-centered launch.
Landing Page
The prototype of the landing page was designed on Figma. The landing page offered essential information, including its features, benefits, and a convenient download link. We collaborated closely with the marketing and development team of the College of Nursing at the University of Arizona to add this page to the College of Nursing website and link it to our UArizona SANE Program page.
View the SANE Well app Landing Page.
Banner Design for the UArizona SANE program to connect it to the SANE Well landing page
Marketing and Promotion
We developed a targeted marketing plan exclusively for SANE nurses. This included utilizing email marketing campaigns tailored to the UArizona SANE program's subscribers. We also created an e-flyer for distribution to colleges and individuals associated with SANE programs.
It's important to note that we have intentionally limited the app's promotion to this specific audience due to the sensitive nature of its content.
As part of the app promotion, I co-presented at the International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practices, which took place on September 30, 2023. The presentation, titled 'Burnout Reduction Strategies Using Mobile-Based Applications: The Creation and Development of the SANE Well App,' served as a platform to promote the app.
App Launch
The app officially launched on August 7th, 2023.
Available for iOS and Android
Post-Launch Plan
Regular App Updates and Improvements
Collaborate with UArizona DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) students who undertake class projects creating relevant content for the app. Perform regular updates to improve performance and add new features.
Collect and Respond to Feedback
Encourage users to leave reviews and ratings on the app stores and actively address their feedback to enhance the app's quality and features.
Monitor App Performance
Track key performance metrics such as downloads, user engagement, and revenue. Use analytics tools to gain insights into user behavior and app performance
Future Design Improvements
Finalize Design
Due to time constraints and limited resources, we opted to begin with a simplified design version, deviating from the original prototype. We created this simplified version to facilitate efficient development. However, it's worth noting that we have plans to complete the design in the future when resources permit.
Tablet Version
We're currently in the process of crafting a tablet-friendly version of our app. Our aim is to enhance flexibility in screen sizes, potentially encouraging more users to download and enjoy our app on their personal tablets.
Trigger Warning: The following content may contain sensitive or distressing information.
View the Tablet SANE Well prototype
What I learned
With this being my first real-world project as a UX/UI Designer, I learned a lot. I learned how to use Adobe XD. I learned to work in a team where everyone has a different background and holds a unique responsibility for the project. I learned how to prioritize design decisions due to limited time or resources. I learned how important it is to always have a human-centered approach to any design decision. I learned the gravity of designing for accessibility and inclusivity. I learned how an end-to-end design process develops and changes. I can definitely say that this project has taught me so much about myself as a UX/UI designer and as a person.
I also had the great opportunity to attend various SANE-A trainings and meet the brave people for whom this app has been developed. This has allowed me to better understand what it means to be a part of the SANE Program and to see the mental and psychological strength required to work in such a field.
Picture taken at the International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practices