Speculating future use of smart mirrors to treat Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
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University of Washington HCDE MS 2021 Capstone Project
My Role: Design Researcher
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Designed the research study to iteratively narrow the project scope and to ethically gather participant data
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Led a literature review to familiarize the team with the problem space and existing work, and to communicate project concepts to stakeholders
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Interviewed experts in healthcare to test concepts and gather data
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Screened and selected research participants
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Researched design principles for related services, spaces, and products, and collaborated with the team to create our design principles
The Team
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Design Researcher: Finn Kuipers
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Design Researcher: Evan Schmidtz
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Designer & Research Analyst: Kelly Cao
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Project Manager & Researcher: Al Jose
Literature Review Findings
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Mirror-based technology is increasingly prevalent in the retail industry (LuluLemon, Tonal, Sephora)
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Mirror-based technology is growing in medical environments (rehabilitation for stroke survivors) and Makerspaces
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Evidence suggests it can be integrated into existing models of treatment to enhance good health outcomes
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13
Peer-Reviewed Research Papers
2
Products for Competitive Analysis
Expert Interview Findings
I interviewed healthcare professionals in the following areas of treatment:
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder
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Eating Disorders
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Stroke Rehabilitation
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Depression
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Breast Cancer
Area of Opportunity
BDD treatment almost always utilizes Mirror Exposure Therapy
In treatment of related disorders, mirrors may or may not be helpful. Depression, stroke, and cancer healthcare professionals we communicated with did not see augmented mirrors as a tool that would potentially improve quality of life.
Two Main Symptoms
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Those with BDD most commonly present two symptoms: mirror-gazing (an individual may spend hours each day looking at a specific body part, adjusting, fixing, or picking at the body part), and mirror avoidance (an individual will go to great lengths including, isolating themselves, to avoid catching their reflection in any surface).
Body Neutrality
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Central goals of BDD treatment include learning to view the body as a whole, learning neutral language to describe oneself, and learning to acknowledge the non-physical aspects of one’s being.
“It’s a big ask… to ask somebody who hates their body to love it.”
-BDD expert
Do No Harm
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It was important to take steps to ensure the safety of our participants. Research materials included trigger warnings, alternatives, and resources to help participants along each step. We used proxies as stand-ins for BDD-affected participants in some cases. Finally, it is worth noting that each expert viewed “do no harm” as the ultimate goal or as an ideal, but realistically impossible.
Survey Findings
Multiple-choice, short, and long answer survey questions were posted in online support forums for BDD.​
2
Surveys
147
Respondents
30%
Have access to a therapist OR one supportive family member OR friend
65%
Have no emotional or mental health support
94%
Reported that their distorted self-image contributes to isolation and problems at work, school, and in their relationships.
When asked about the pros and cons of technology, respondents' primary complaint was that social media enabled unhealthy comparison to others
User Research Collage Activity
4
Participants
16
Collages
150+
Images
We asked participants to reflect on their experiences through completing a virtual activity in Miro.
Sentiments about social media:
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All participants indicated that social media was a significant obstacle to their well-being because it enabled them to compare themselves to other people.
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One participant had good experiences with social media because it helped them discover fat-positive content.
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Sentiments about technology:
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Participants showed how technology had positive effects on their lives by enabling them to work remotely and go to school when their BDD prevented them from being in public.
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Ultimately, the collages solidified our belief that social UX should not be a focus for technology that aims to improve mental health, though it can provide exposure to healthy support groups and movements.
Speculative Design
Storyboards
Storyboarding early in the design process allowed us to gather rapid feedback from experts, narrow our project scope, and define possible design features.
Personas
We needed to quickly familiarize others with BDD in a way that was humanizing and nuanced.
I created two data-driven personas based on the research we had already done and did two iterations on Jill.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
We gathered feedback on the design features in our wireframes and then created a final deliverable.
Video Prototype
Design Principles
Design Principles to Guide Innovation for Behavioral and Mental Health
These design principles were influenced by expert interviews, research data, and feedback regarding our visual artifacts. We also conducted an analysis of existing principles for crisis design, service design, emergency room design, and telehealth design concurrently.
1. Do No Harm
Products that support behavioral and mental health never put users in harm's way and always reflect their seat at the table throughout the design process. Design decisions should be based upon providing the most benefit to users and minimizing the risk of causing harm.
2. Seamless Integration With The User's Environment
Technology that supports behavioral and mental health is built around unique contextual constraints, barriers, and opportunities. The design should fit seamlessly within existing habits, contexts, and environments while reducing the need for external triggers to interact with the technology.
3. Set Clear Expectations
Products that support behavioral and mental health should be transparent about what they can and can't do and they should establish limitations and risks. Setting clear expectations empowers users to make decisions that positively affect their health and well-being.
4. Adapt to Changing User Needs
Technology that supports behavioral and mental health should anticipate and adapt to users' changing needs. Flexibility in the design should reduce or increase cognitive load based on users' goals, moods, and overall well-being from moment to moment.