Impactful Online Ritual Design for People with ADHD
Introduction
ADHD Together, a service by Local Welcome charity, aimed to create an online ritual for people with ADHD to participate in peer-support sessions.
As the UX designer for the project, my goal was to create a structured video call that facilitated meaningful conversations and shared experiences among participants with ADHD. In this case study, I will discuss the design process, the challenges faced, and the solutions implemented to create an impactful experience for the users.
Design process
Ideation workshops
In August 2020, our team conducted ideation workshops to develop the ADHD Together service from scratch, using the double diamond method with a focus on developing and delivering the idea.
Session development
ADHD Together sessions are structured online video calls with 8-10 people with ADHD, divided into three parts - Opening, Rounds, and Closing.
User testing and iteration
From October 2020, we started testing with real users and launched three pilot groups in London. We held online sessions, gathered feedback, and iterated on the design based on users' needs.
We launched 3 pilot groups and started testing with real users by holding online sessions and gathering feedback along the way.
Learnings and iterations
1. Auto reminders to improve turnout
To address the common issue of people with ADHD forgetting or being late, we implemented a persistent hybrid-method that sent SMS and email reminders at 48 hours, 24 hours, 9 hours, and 15 minutes before an event, resulting in a 30% increase in turnout rate.
2. Timer visual
We designed an animation of a red circle that counts down 1 minute and 30 seconds for each participant's turn, alongside a numerical countdown, to keep the session focused and ensure equal participation.
3. Improved slides
We revised the slide deck layout to include a clear hierarchy of information and split it into two columns, with practical information on the left and the question on the right. This improved the usability and flow of the sessions.
Conclusion
This project highlighted the importance of iterative design and a user-centric approach to create meaningful experiences for a neuro-diverse group. By continually testing, gathering feedback, and implementing improvements, we were able to overcome challenges and design an impactful online ritual for people with ADHD.