Hello Bear: A community that cares
product design
mobile development
quality assurance
It’s hard not to get personal with the app since the Bear, the central mascot, spreads positive vibes with encouraging words and inspirational quotes. The users don’t have to be anxious to be identified while sharing their personal issues and burdens, as the app is completely anonymous.
Scope of work
Strategy
UX Design
UI Design
Flutter Development
Balancing playfulness and gravity
The challenge was to find a functional solution that kept things anonymous enough, so the app wouldn’t become another insincere social media platform. The core intention of HelloBear is to provide a secure virtual space where people can freely share their problems and feelings. Considering the specific nature of the project, we had to approach the design in a delicate and subtle way.
Building an iOS and Android design solution from the ground up
Delicate approach
Balancing the right elements to spark different emotions which translate to each user.
Interactivity
Using annotations and interactive elements to provide a smooth user flow.
Distinction
Not just another pen-pal app, but a calm and safe community for all age ranges.
Animation
Visual effects that keep users calm and cherished, while also enhancing their engagement.
Logically structured
user flow
Once we collected all the relevant data, the next step was to conceptualize the sitemap, which encompasses a hierarchy of the user flow. The focus was on creating an intuitive, simple, and logical outline.
Basic contours of the app to be
Setting up low fidelity wireframes, as a starting point of the creative process, that will be transformed into high fidelity wireframes. In this phase, the beautification process is still on pause.
Beautification of the mockups
The fusion of fun and serious elements is the ultimate goal in keeping the user’s sanity intact, reparing hurt feelings, and helping them grow.
Lightening up the mood while staying incognito
Interactive backgrounds and the Bear draw in the user to say “Hello”
Task: Give the app a beautiful and alluring appeal, perfectly balanced in terms of playfulness and importance, complimenting each other through the app's serious content and lovely illustrations. Done! Clickable animations of the paper plane surrounded by clouds turned out to be a fun way for users to engage without things feeling tedious. Making them feel comfortable about their interactions.
Create an account with the Bear, a friend who’s fun to be around
An elegant and simple Login / Sign up page, with a hint of fun, catches the users’ attention and grants them a true journey of an experience. Visual effects enhance the users’ engagement and motivates them to create an account while keeping them calm and cherished.
You are not alone - the core message behind the app
Cinnamon was assigned to create a very simple user flow for replying, while providing easy navigation regardless of one’s age or technical ability. Lastly, we included a success screen “Thank you for replying”, which makes people feel they have achieved something. And not to be forgotten, we incorporated stickers to despatch emotions and actions.
Keeping things fun, yet functional
The practice of using nicknames instead of real names adds a little extra to the mystery. Although there is no public info, the journey feels personal. All the while, functioning nicely and neatly on meticulously arranged and sorted out cards.
Styleguide
An insight into the app and what we’ve picked up
We are proud to say that Cinnamon played an important role in finding a way to help a wide range of troubled people to share and confront their problems. Who would have thought that a friendly bear can make people so calm and appreciated? Brainstorming unique solutions which aim to solve different needs for different age ranges, understanding their habits and frustrations was essential for crafting the most befitting outcome for this app. Designing for a delicate audience can be challenging, but a learning experience as well.
In order to apply the best UX practices, we combined various elements from other apps, such as the card swipe on the Homescreen, just as Tinder does it. By this merge of adjusted components, especially enhancing things with visual effects, we found a way to trigger the user’s emotions based on our solutions. And that’s the experience we came for!
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Barnahus, the child protection hub offers accommodation and safety to the victims and witnesses of child abuse. Cinnamon designed, developed, and is now maintaining the website funded by the European Union and carries out vital work for the kids.
