MindfulMingle Website Prototype
The Mindful Mingle website prototype provides tech professionals with insights into the main ideas behind mindful design. It explores how specific design decisions can shape user experience and influence overall well-being, aiming to motivate tech designers to integrate these ideas into their projects.
Settings
The Mindful Mingle website gives users a range of customization options to make their experience more personal. They can change notification settings, tweak how content is shown, and set limits on their interactions with the platform. These features are designed to help users manage their digital space, promoting a more thoughtful approach to using the site.
​
Users are given control over how often they want to check messages within limits by using the “Daily Message Checks” function. By setting limits themselves, they can decrease their pattern of always checking their inbox. As they increase the regularity on the slider, the bubbles’ indication color changes from green (the recommended state) to yellow, then orange, and eventually red.
​
End users are also given the opportunity to modify how often the “Load More” button appears or how often they will receive the wellness break reminder. The “Hang It Up Time” choice allows users to determine when they want to stop using the website for the day.
Alternative to Continuous Scroll
Constant scrolling on social media can negatively affect teenagers by creating a dopamine loop in their brains that can provoke incessant engagement. This can lead to unfavorable conduct, increased anxiety, trouble with concentration, and a declining ability to cope. Systems that urge continuous contact often keep users from intuitively taking breaks or reflecting on what they are doing.
​
QUIZ BREAK
The Mindful Mingle website purposely interrupts the user’s engagement by breaking up the continuous scrolling pattern with quiz breaks. After clicking through a random number of videos and images, the user is presented with a short quiz. This insignificant break in the action can distract the user sufficiently enough to let them reflect and hopefully become aware of how emotional harm could be initiated by the way they are relating to their digital environment.
Load More & Messages
LOAD MORE
In place of unending scrolling, the Mindful Mingle website prototype interface interjects a “Load More” button at unpredictable times. The button appears in assorted situations, encouraging the user to take a break and consider doing something else. By dropping in these interruptions, the website supports a more mindful methodology to consuming content.
​
RANDOM ERROR MESSAGES
At various intervals, the website will drop in a random error messages that may not be due to an actual problem. These messages are intended to prompt users to pause their scrolling and check messages instead. This approach encourages users to take breaks from scrolling, and with messages batched and free from gamification features such as ‘Like’ scores, it reduces the urge for constant social validation.
​
WARNING MESSAGE
As users approach their preset limits within the app, they are subtly alerted through mild warning messages. These prompts are designed to encourage users to switch activities, promoting a break from continual digital engagement.
Alternative to Instant Notifications and Wellness Breaks
BATCH MESSAGE
The website’s inbox does not provide instant alerts and it only allows opening at times determined in advance by the user in the settings. This removes dopamine-triggering instant messages, helping to reduce stress and maintain focus. This more structured approach provides support for more mindful interaction with the system.
​
TAKE A BREAK
As users continue to scroll through images and videos on the website, they encounter a forced break in the action. This disruption is a five-minute break but only lasts ten seconds in the prototype. This locks all browsing, advising the user to briefly step away from their screen to do other activities.
​
MEDITATION BREAK
After more scrolling, the website introduces a meditation break. This includes a breathing exercise designed to interrupt the scrolling routine. Users are guided through a series of timed breathing techniques, after which they can choose to return to their digital interaction.
Gentle Reminders
SUNSETTING AND COLOR SHIFT REMINDER
An important function of this website prototype is the managed time signal, which gives hints to users that they are near their chosen usage limit. This function uses the principle that well-defined usage limits will reduce unhealthy habits and curb the growth of compulsive behaviors. When users approach the pre-selected time limits, the interface will gently change its colors and show a sunset symbol to signal that it’s time to begin thinking about logging off. Users can customize these notifications within limits to have some control over their technology use.
