Unwind: the destress app Process by Theresa Hughes

Unwind behind the scenes // tess hughes

Prologue Stress is present in the world around us where we forget to eat, sleep, or breathe because individuals are dealing with crunch time. It’s extra loaded pressure pounding into us, telling us that you haven’t done this yet. It’s something that won’t go away entirely but we are capable of dwindling the pressure down to a smaller amount through therapeutic options specifically ones that deal with creation and making of things. The act of repetition becomes therapeutic while making in analog and digital media. Exploring those two areas are a huge interest to me since I’m always trying to figure out new ones to handle my own stress. I want to figure out ways to manipulate our perception of stress through making and pushing it to be something positive. Everyone’s stress levels are different and we handle it in variety of ways so why not have something that is multi-functional that can shape and interact? The possible deliverable could be a website, installation, game, application, booklet, interactive space, movie or even music.

Sewing was one output for making and stress relief. I ended up producing llama burp cloths for a gift. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as relaxing as it should have felt.

Trying to produce digitalized structures through repetition on Minecraft. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to work as plan because I was focusing on the end goal of how it was relaxing me. It did keep my mind away from other works that would have been more important during those moments.

Log 1 Ever since we started thinking about this degree project, I’m not exactly sure if I’m producing a solution or just getting to know myself better. I’ve found being able to check things off a list format to feel relaxing because it’s as if I’m being productive and getting something done. I’ve also found the act of acquiring and learning something new to be a helpful stress relief. For example, playing Minecraft has been an outsource of relaxation until I’m told by team members to produce a town in less than a day in which it becomes counterproductive. Once someone says something, it makes it seem more important where it has to be done quickly as possible which raises the stress bar and lowers the quality. My stress level also peaks when I want something really bad because then I feel anxious and depressed when that something does not happen. In cases, where I want a certain level character because a friend already has that level character or more achievements. It’s an example of worrying about another person’s behavior which I sometimes get caught in. The understanding is that doesn’t exactly qualify for making unless you argue the fact you can make your account into a “champion” but in the end causing more stress. I’m exploring different means of handling stressed but only in one case study, myself – which may not be the best observation considering I’m the researcher and user. I’m going to have to bridge it out my findings in the next week and try to poll my surroundings since everyone deals with stressful situations differently. How far do I go with such? What should my perimeters be? I’ve been evaluating my topic on a constant bases and I’m still having problems figuring that out. I feel like I want to develop something that would solve when “work gets piled on” but that could mean the amount of tasks, signals, or work setting. I want to poll for all scenarios just so I have the data but have access to compressing it down later since it may not all relate. This past week, I’ve only been exploring myself not others. I’m still exploring into the science behind stress, therapy, and ‘mindfulness’ so I can formulate anyways to manipulate emotion to feel less stress. Or what variables could be used to track such as heart rate. In addition I’m constantly wondering if I’m doing more than what the past have achieved or if I have only made a clone. How do I reinvent the wheel in a topic that has too many possibilities? I need to be more open to loose ends during trial areas. I also need to figure out at what point do we start developing? I’m hoping to speak to an actual doctor on stress to see how they handle and what would qualify an object to be a solution. Is stress more mental or physical? The other thing is how do you quantify personality types and stress. I don’t think everyone who takes a survey would also be willing to and out their personality type to just answer one survey. I wonder if there is a way to handle this. I guess, overall I’m really questioning the direction of this degree. It may become more clear as I explore.

Stress Upon Stress Stress is abroad topic to research especially since there are three different types of stress: Acute stress, Episodic Acute stress, and Chronic stress. Acute is the most common stress. It basically overdoing yourself can cause distress, tension, upset stomach and a wide range of emotions. It’s treatable and manageable. Episodic Acute Stress is frequent acute stress. It becomes resistant to change over time. Chronic stress wears people down. People whom have chronic stress get “used to it,” letting it eat away at them and letting it get lost in their behaviors. Stress has numerous attributes such as physical, chemical, mental, emotional, nutritional, traumatic, and psycho-spiritual. Stress can be defined as biological state of the body. Stressors are identify as the causes. There’s a ton of different books out there to go over mental health, stress relief, art therapy, anxiety, and making stress your friend. All of the individuals I spoke to about stress could not point me into the right direction since they either didn’t have time or thought the internet would be great resource though I was hoping for a medical reference or resources from these individuals

Myer-Briggs Personality Types The Myer-Briggs personality type concept was designed in 1920s by Carl G. Jung. It was produced in 1940s by Isabel Briggs Myers. The Myer-Briggs scale expanded over the years to extensive breakdowns about each of the sixteen personality types. A breakdown of each of the personalities are from 16personalities.com. An individual could find out their type by taking a test is roughly 12 minutes long.

INTJ, the Architect It’s lonely at the top, and being one of the rarest and most strategically capable personality types, INTJs know this all too well. INTJs form just two percent of the population, and women of this personality type are especially rare, forming just 0.8% of the population – it is often a challenge for them to find like-minded individuals who are able to keep up with their relentless intellectualism and chess-like maneuvering. People with the INTJ personality type are imaginative yet decisive, ambitious yet private, amazingly curious, but they do not squander their energy.

INTP, the Logician The INTP personality type is fairly rare, making up only three percent of the population, which is definitely a good thing for them, as there’s nothing they’d be more unhappy about than being “common”. INTPs pride themselves on their inventiveness and creativity, their unique perspective and vigorous intellect. Usually known as the philosopher, the architect, or the dreamy professor, INTPs have been responsible for many scientific discoveries throughout history.

ENTJ, the Commander ENTJs are natural-born leaders. People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws crowds together behind a common goal. But unlike their Feeling (F) counterpart, ENTJs are characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality, using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end they’ve set for themselves. Perhaps it is best that they make up only three percent of the population, lest they overwhelm the more timid and sensitive personality types that make up much of the rest of the world – but we have ENTJs to thank for many of the businesses and institutions we take for granted every day.

ENTP, the Debater The ENTP personality type is the ultimate devil’s advocate, thriving on the process of shredding arguments and beliefs and letting the ribbons

drift in the wind for all to see. Unlike their more determined Judging (J) counterparts, ENTPs don’t do this because they are trying to achieve some deeper purpose or strategic goal, but for the simple reason that it’s fun. No one loves the process of mental sparring more than ENTPs, as it gives them a chance to exercise their effortlessly quick wit, broad accumulated knowledge base, and capacity for connecting disparate ideas to prove their points.

INFJ, the Advocate The INFJ personality type is very rare, making up less than one percent of the population, but they nonetheless leave their mark on the world. As Diplomats (NF), they have an inborn sense of idealism and morality, but what sets them apart is the accompanying Judging (J) trait – INFJs are not idle dreamers, but people capable of taking concrete steps to realize their goals and make a lasting positive impact.

INFP, Mediator INFP personalities are true idealists, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people and events, searching for ways to make things better. While they may be perceived as calm, reserved, or even shy, INFPs have an inner flame and passion that can truly shine. Comprising just 4% of the population, the risk of feeling misunderstood is unfortunately high for the INFP personality type – but when they find like-minded people to spend their time with, the harmony they feel will be a fountain of joy and inspiration.

ENFJ, the Protagonist ENFJs are natural-born leaders, full of passion and charisma. Forming around two percent of the population, they are oftentimes our politicians, our coaches and our teachers, reaching out and inspiring others to achieve and to do good in the world. With a natural confidence that begets influence, ENFJs take a great deal of pride and joy in guiding others to work together to improve themselves and their community.

ENFP, the Compaigner The ENFP personality is a true free spirit. They are often the life of the party, but unlike Explorers, they are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. Charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd.

ISTJ, the Logistician The ISTJ personality type is thought to be the most abundant, making up around 13% of the population. Their defining characteristics of integrity, practical logic and tireless dedication to duty make ISTJs a vital core to many families, as well as organizations that uphold traditions, rules and standards, such as law offices, regulatory bodies and military. People with the ISTJ personality type enjoy taking responsibility for their actions, and take pride in the work they do â&#x20AC;&#x201C; when working towards a goal, ISTJs hold back none of their time and energy completing each relevant task with accuracy and patience.

ISFJ, the Defender The ISFJ personality type is quite unique, as many of their qualities defy the definition of their individual traits. Though possessing the Feeling (F) trait, ISFJs have excellent analytical abilities; though Introverted (I), they have well-developed people skills and robust social relationships; and though they are a Judging (J) type, ISFJs are often receptive to change and new ideas. As with so many things, people with the ISFJ personality type are more than the sum of their parts, and it is the way they use these strengths that defines who they are.

ESTJ, the Executive ESTJs are representatives of tradition and order, utilizing their understanding of what is right, wrong and socially acceptable to bring families and communities together. Embracing the values of honesty, dedication and dignity, people with the ESTJ personality type are valued for their clear advice and guidance, and they happily lead the way on difficult paths. Taking pride in bringing people together, ESTJs often take on roles as community organizers, working hard to bring everyone together in celebration of cherished local events, or in defense of the traditional values that hold families and communities together.

ESFJ, the Consul People who share the ESFJ personality type are, for lack of a better word, popular â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which makes sense, given that it is also a very common personality type, making up twelve percent of the population. In high school, ESFJs are the cheerleaders and the quarterbacks, setting the tone, taking the spotlight and leading their teams forward to victory and fame. Later in life, ESFJs continue to enjoy supporting their friends and loved ones, organizing social gatherings and doing their best to make

sure everyone is happy.

ISTP, the Virtuoso ISTPs love to explore with their hands and their eyes, touching and examining the world around them with cool rationalism and spirited curiosity. People with this personality type are natural Makers, moving from project to project, building the useful and the superfluous for the fun of it, and learning from their environment as they go. Often mechanics and engineers, ISTPs find no greater joy than in getting their hands dirty pulling things apart and putting them back together, just a little bit better than they were before.

ISFP, the Adventurer ISFP personality types are true artists, but not necessarily in the typical sense where they’re out painting happy little trees. Often enough though, they are perfectly capable of this. Rather, it’s that they use aesthetics, design and even their choices and actions to push the limits of social convention. ISFPs enjoy upsetting traditional expectations with experiments in beauty and behavior – chances are, they’ve expressed more than once the phrase “Don’t box me in!”

ESTP, the Entrepreneur ESTP personality types always have an impact on their immediate surroundings – the best way to spot them at a party is to look for the whirling eddy of people flitting about them as they move from group to group. Laughing and entertaining with a blunt and earthy humor, ESTP personalities love to be the center of attention. If an audience member is asked to come on stage, ESTPs volunteer – or volunteer a shy friend.

ESFP, the Entertainer If anyone is to be found spontaneously breaking into song and dance, it is the ESFP personality type. ESFPs get caught up in the excitement of the moment, and want everyone else to feel that way, too. No other personality type is as generous with their time and energy as ESFPs when it comes to encouraging others, and no other personality type

Overall Research As a general desire to replace my own individual stress, I’ve focus entirely on relief through making. What really relaxes me? By achieving that I have to actually do an action to figure what produces that calmness. I’ve tried forms digital and analog media but it varies. Some days I need to button press and other days I need to multitask at the same time putting fabric through a machine. Over time, I came to realize it’s not just all about me, but the big picture of stress. Stress being a huge obstacle that everyone has to deal with and at contrasting levels. Was there actually a solution for it? Or are people suppose to make stress our friend such as Kelly McGonigal suggestions in her Ted Talk? It’s a large problem to face especially when we need to understand stress’ background. Stress has three different types(acute, episodic, and chronic) that vary depending on tolerance, but everyone typically has acute stress rather the other two forms. Acute stress can be overdoing something or an emotional state yet its tolerable. It can be managed and treated. The only dilemma is since stress is very vague due to it being an individual state. How would I come up with a perimeter to restrict the data? At this point, I decided to take a suggestion from a classmate to take a look at personalities. Personality types are part of the Myers-Briggs system which classifies sixteen personalities. All sixteen handle stress differently. Some can acquire strain more easily from their daily lifestyles where others are gifted with very minimal pressure in their routine. Everyone has a personality type like horoscopes. Though, if you look more in-depth about the Myers-Briggs system, it doesn’t have a particular reason for why the things are the way they are just (like horoscopes don’t have a reason for their criteria of people). It’s just something people enjoy comparing themselves to. I developed a survey to collect primary data about the ranges of personality types for people around me or willing to take a survey about their stress levels. I asked them what their personality type was and if they didn’t already know it they would have to take an external test to figure it out which was the huge plummet of data I could have potentially had for this assignment. Overall the survey did very well collecting all personality types some became harder to even get one to be present even if there are 74 in total. Then I proceeded to ask them what their stress level consisted as on a scale of 1 to 10. Ten being considered a high level of stress. The data varied a lot per personality type but none of them reached below 3 for stress level so I can safely presume a person can not

eliminate stress from their life but they can potentially decrease the impact on their mindset. 76% of the people who took my survey had above a 5 for stress level. However, in contrast to a later question in the survey asking, “How often someone feels stressed” it’s not on the higher end of the spectrum. Most people from my survey don’t feel stressed often. Of course, there were anomalies listed with being at ten for how often they feel stressed but there are additional reasons for their levels being abnormal to the rest of the participants such as medication. The survey also helped me expand what people do to relieve their own stress to think of ways to handle the situation whether or not something is more proactive or could potentially harm them. Sleep being one of those options. Sleep can help relieve stress, but it can also harm someone if they constantly sleep or becoming depressed from it. Other situations are just discussing their situation with someone not necessarily being a therapist, but friends who could help relate and give a sense of security. Seeing the full range of stress relief options helps introduce all the possibilities out there that people find relieve by doing. In addition to getting a broader scope of the individuals stress level, I also took down some information about their lifestyle. Rarely, participants live in rural areas verse suburban or urban neighborhoods. Participants typically considered their life complicated. From all this data there is an over arching theme based off a person’s personality type and their stress level which correlates because the personality’s weakness tend to show a little more about that individual. I plan to develop an application that takes information about the user (along with their personality type) to help counteract their stress. The goal isn’t to eliminate stress but to help gear the individual to focus on something besides the multitudes of a situation.

Log 2 Last class was the first critique that has made me feel anxiety and stressed to no end on a project that I would rather just dump in a corner and work on a different topic. However, I decided to sit with it longer. I contacted two of my nursing friends that attend Simmons. One of them was kind enough to let me know about their medical database that she’ll be showing me in the future. My other friend basically refuted helping me on the topic since she assumed google would be the only thing I need, but it doesn’t exactly help when I’m not sure if all the information is fact. In addition, I spoke to Jordan in the Counseling and Wellness department at MassArt about my project but she will be sending me an email once she gets to it since we’ve had snow day after snow day. Besides that, I’ve emailed a suggested individual, Tosh Spencer,who is a student at Massart about his internship (thanks to Eric). Tosh gave me some information about his internship about it being a place that handles art therapy for mentally disabilities. He had mentioned he can put me in contact with one of the staff there since they would have more information on what they handle. I’m still in email correspondence with him. In addition, I found a couple of medical books at my parent’s house that deal with stress. I’ve skimmed through them to get the jest of what they mention. One of them talks about the process of how stress occurs and at what point does it become a problem. Also, setted up a survey to learn more about people who handle stress. I’m hoping to receive more user responses so I can get more variety since the data may be very limited based off personality type. If I’m only getting 1 person from each personality type that doesn’t make it easier to design for that personality type. I’m also really liking this idea of designing for personality types. I know it’s still broad but it could be a case study for certain ones and just hypothetically include the others. Alex had brought up this idea to me in the last round of comment cards but I’ve thought about it before and didn’t know how to approach it. I’m starting to see patterns when it comes to personality types and how they handle stress or where they fall on the stress scale. I’m also realizing that no one I surveyed has the same personality as me so that original idea would be very limited based on the type of user audience. If I start thinking about the initial problem, it would be how to counteract stress through digital and analog media so we can conquer our stress. The population is still pretty large but I’m thinking it may be okay for the purpose of this assignment if it’s focusing on stress within personality types. I’m still working out the small details and figuring it out.

Feedback Response The way my degree course worked was we received feedback on notecards and created visual responses based off them. Some of my responses included a drawing, notes, and mood boards all centered around stress. The major thing I had to deal with finding a response for the constant feedback of “not everyone wants to find out their personality type,” in which I had to remember the application can have a specific audience. It doesn’t have to be meant for everyone so I made it that way.

Survey Constraints The survey was designed to poll individuals to find out their personality and how they deal with stress. The overall conclusion from the initial survey of 75 participants ended up being that personality type is closely linked to their stress level and form of stress relief.

Log 3 I’ve been working continuously to get the data I need to support my hypothesis of personality types and their stress relief. As of today I have a solid 70 participants but out of those 70, I am missing one of the personality types. The ways I’m acquiring participants are from facebook friends, their friends, 4 facebook groups, 1 outsource site that I was a part of, twitter messaging, slack channel and tumblr random messaging. This way I get a large random selection of individuals and not just individuals whom fall mostly under one category since I can rightfully assume a handful of my friends are the same personality type. Over the next week I should have enough data to really analyze everything in pick out personas for all 16 personality types.

Log 4 I’ve been working on collecting more surveys since the last log, but being sick has set my work back a bit. I’ve scanned over my results and have worked on producing personas for all sixteen personalities. Though I’m not sure if I should be taking an average or using any one of my survey users as the persona. I don’t believe it matters. I’ve been working on producing a prototype of an application that could possibly be a solution. The only thing is I’m still stuck on what type of game or relaxing way I should have the user relieve their stress. Would they need a fitbit or a heart tracking service on top of the application? I have yet to figure out those possibilities. It’s something I will have to figure out going forward about my project.

Log 5 Where I am at? I’m behind a week in progress since I took an absence last week, I’m not sure how to push my assignment further without having same feedback. However, it’s also hard to focus when I’ve been increasingly sick.. I don’t have a doctor’s apt until spring break and can’t keep taking absence only thing to I’ve tried to do is push my prototype more but it still needs more work.

Results Personality type were linked closely with stress level Extreme similarities between type and relievers too No one had low levels of stress 75 victims participated

User Flow Part of the process is understanding how user flow breaks down because each personality type has to have their own stress relief. Then from there, the user needs the option to customize and provide feedback to acquire new suggestions. Having this written out helps seeing the whole skeleton of what makes Unwind what it is.

Log 6 I haven’t been able to focus once again on my degree project due to my new found information from my doctor’s appointment. All the emotions and stress I’ve had this whole semester has been solely based off the fact I’m pregnant. The reason I’m sick is morning sickness. I’m still adjusting to handling the additional appointments on top of motivation to complete work, so I’ve probably set myself back more on degree due to just figuring things out. I had taken off my last absent from the class since I couldn’t stand without getting dizzy. During spring break, I was constantly in and out of appointments. The go-to plan is to figure out how to get back on track so I’m not completely behind for graduating in May. Though, how am I going to achieve that? By determining a balance between everything hence leveraging my own personal stress. I need to take my own options as trial purposes. From the feedback from the professor and students were completely contrasting. I just need to work everything out.

Log 7 I’m still working on finalizing everything for each personality trait but wondering if it would be better if I just did what everyone else had suggested with producing a simpler system of registry for functionality reasons. The user experience would be dragging for a Myers-Briggs or maybe it has a couple of questions then a more refined one somewhere in the application. I think that maybe the best option. I need to catch up fully in the next week on this assignment so i can fully work on the actual product or outcome.

Imagery Since stress isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly visual, I wanted to make sure there was some imagery on the application so users become interested in the content rather than just seeing text. I thought to incorporate visual icons for each suggestion the application hands out to the user on their suggestion page.

Color Color went through multiple trials of figuring out if I wanted a single color to more vibrant. The original idea of one singular color made the application feel depress and very restricting for someone to relieve their stress even though the color choice would have been a cool color that is known for relaxation.

unwind Socialize Hang out with friends.

Break Do something else for awhile.

Excerise Break a sweat for a few minutes.

unwind Progress Suggestions

unwind

ProďŹ le

Socialize

Hang out with friends.

Break

Do something else for awhile.

Do something else.

Excerise

Break a sweat for a few minutes.

Suggestions | Progress | Personality Type

Sugg estions | Progress | Personality Type

Break a sweat.

Log 8 Finalized the flow chart with well-defined breakdown steps and developed poster ideas. I also made sketches for those poster ideas and thinking of ways to phrase the suggestions.

Log 9 Worked on pushing out some drafts and logo ideas for the application itself.

I ended up using my headphones that broke on me to create this demo below.

Poster Coming up with an idea to represent my topic was not fun. Stress doesn’t have a lot of imagery to inform others besides causing a chaotic scene. I was taking the approach of being super stressed out and then desiring to have relaxation but from feedback I’ve been receiving I shouldn’t take it in this direction but rather focus on the relaxation.

Unwind:

the de-stress app Everyday, humans encounter various challenges. In those challenges, we face complicated decisions that may pile up, causing tension in our lives. We have to overcome them. For most people, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always know the solutions to help us get back on track and focus on the end goal. There is not one solution that works for everyone so initiallysomeone may struggle figuring how to relieve stress. The Unwind app provides suggestions for stress relief, that is tailored to users based on user feedback and their Myers-Briggsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; personality type. This personality-based, customized approach makes the suggestions apply to the users specific need for stress relief and gives them more options to think of new ways to handle it. Theresa Hughes RM 605 @ 11:00 April 26th, 2016

The final poster to advertise my degree project after trying to figure out how to best show the topic. The initial idea is to make the individual feel relieved rather than stressed based off the other ideas I had for it.

Log 10 I would rather be drained of my own stress then continue to worry about reality right now. My life is essentially what my project is aiming for and striving to relieve pressure. This whole semester has been an interesting journey in the college experience, but I don’t like the ironic natural of the whole thing. I feel like my responsibilities are a million times worse because as seniors we are gearing up for the work force and trying to represent ourself in society. I don’t feel I am yet ready for that mindset since I have yet to feel at a good place about my degree project or my portfolio since my time seems to be spent on other worries that life throws my way. I’m also stressed that I won’t be able to reach a dream job for the current time until all of these other task are under way. Therefore the last week of working on my degree project has made me feel the most stress. I think the initial goal is to refocus on the end goal of getting the first things done before worrying about everything else. Needless to say, my current work has been set back again due to a system error in Illustrator. I’m still gearing towards the future especially through classmate and professionals feedback. I’m going to end up getting a 100% of the project done over the next week since our official deadline is approaching; it seems too close to be here already.

Log 11 There’s still a bunch to do for next week, but I’ll get it done. I need to finalize everything on the keynote and practice. I’m still in debate on what to actually omit from the presentation since going over personality types so closely may take much longer than the 20 minutes a lotted. Even if I did a full case scenario someone may still want the rest of the types defined out in person too which would still use that 20 minutes poorly.

What is Unwind? Everyday, humans encounter various challenges. In those challenges, we face complicated decisions that may pile up, causing tension in our lives. We have to overcome them. For most people, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always know the solutions to help us get back on track and focus on the end goal. There is not one solution that works for everyone so initially someone may struggle figuring how to relieve stress. The Unwind app provides suggestions for stress relief, that is tailored to users based on user feedback and their Myers-Briggsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; personality type. This personality-based, customized approach makes the suggestions apply to the users specific need for stress relief and gives them more options to think of new ways to handle it.

What I learned Stress is hard to make it your friend. Doing a project on stress doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have stress. Patience helps with improvement.