HabitAware

HabitAware was started in order to help people with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB), like nail bitting, skin picking, or hair pulling, be more aware of those behaviors in order to have more control over them.

Its founder, Aneela Idnani, has suffered with BFRBs throughout her lifetime. As such, the company is anchored in the human aspect of its story. However, the website did not reflect that at all.

That is the issue our design team was tasked with bridging, while coming up with a new user-focussed human-anchored strategy.

Background

HabitAware’s main product is a smart bracelet, the Keen2, that vibrates when it detects the behavior. Additional products are now also part of the offerings.

Our strategy team met with the founder of HabitAware, Aneela Idnani and witnessed her touching story. HabitAware was created because she suffers from BFRBs. The Keen2 smart bracelet was developed in order to vibrate whenever the BFRB motions are detected. Additionally, other products were launched to help in the healing process including two masterclasses, support groups for adults and kids, peer coaching, and an Apple Watch app.

HabitAware currently needs a new strategic plan to create a more cohesive experience across all touchpoints and promote the other HabitAware products. An additional issue is that some customers expect the bracelet alone to resolve their BFRBs, lacking accountability and understanding of the healing process. The perception of the product is incorrect.

Current HabitAware Home Page

Methodologies

  • Know/ don’t know/ assume analysis

  • Team deep dive

  • Competitive analysis

  • Synthesizing

  • Drafting of a strategy statement and guiding principles

  • Experience/ journey mapping

  • Prototyping - High fidelity wireframes

Solutions

This project main focus was establishing a new content strategy. This is how I did it:

Key pain points in HabitAware’s Current Approach

HabitAware’s digital presentation and product structure create confusion and negatively impact the brand’s credibility. The key issues include:

  • Lack of Cohesion: The product offerings feel disjointed and don’t align.

  • Bracelet-Only Focus: The current organization suggests that the bracelet alone can resolve BFRBs, which is misleading.

  • Redundant Masterclasses: The two existing masterclasses overlap in content, which dilutes their value.

  • Apple Watch App Limitations: The app is only available for three one-hour periods each day, limiting its accessibility.

  • Lack of Therapy Integration: There is no mention of connecting users with therapists, which would support a more holistic approach.

  • Unclear Peer Coaching Value: Peer coaching sessions are priced at $240 for 90 minutes, but the qualifications of the coaches are unclear.

These factors contribute to a weak and fragmented user experience that impacts sales and undermines HabitAware’s authority in BFRB therapy.

Strategy Statement: aiming to improve Cohesion and Credibility

The goal is to create a more cohesive, authentic user experience that empowers users with severe BFRBs (and parents of children with BFRBs) to feel in control of their habits and lead healthier, happier lives. This goal will be accomplished by:

  • Improving Education: Helping users better understand how to effectively use the product.

  • Restructuring Product Offerings: Ensuring the products are logically organized and clearly communicated.

Guiding Principles

The strategy is grounded in the following principles:

  • Authenticity: The product is developed by someone who personally experienced BFRBs, so the brand language and tone must reflect a genuine desire to help.

  • Therapy Integration: The bracelet is designed to be used alongside therapy, offering users a comprehensive approach to managing BFRBs.

  • Clear Communication: Language across the website must be supportive, clear, and aligned with the brand’s mission.

  • Cohesive Bundles: Product bundles should make sense both functionally and thematically, reinforcing the brand’s authenticity.

Key Recommendations

  1. Reorganize Product Bundles:

    • Primary Offering: Sell the Keen2 bracelet alongside the masterclass as the core product bundle. This gives users a clear, structured approach.

    • Combine Masterclasses: Repackage the two masterclasses into one cohesive offering to eliminate redundancy and simplify the user experience.

  2. Highlight the Apple Watch App: Emphasize the Apple Watch app as a key feature of the product. Its current availability limitations should be addressed or better communicated to set user expectations.

  3. Clarify Product Offerings: Use new, clearer language across the website to reduce confusion and enhance the authenticity and the legitimacy of the brand.

  4. Integrate Therapy Support: Facilitate connections with cognitive-behavioral therapists, ensuring users have access to professional guidance alongside the product.

My Role in the Project

My primary focus was on identifying the pain points in HabitAware’s website and product strategy, and proposing a new approach improving overall cohesion and legitimacy. The strategic work was mine.

I also provided key insights and solutions, such as:

  • Masterclass Integration: I suggested simplifying the two masterclasses into one combined offering that pairs with the bracelet. I also prototyped the page where the masterclass could be sold individually.

  • User-Centered Strategy: While my work did not focus on UI design or visual identity, I focused on the underlying user experience and how to present the products more cohesively.

Ultimately, my goal was to improve the overall user experience, increase sales, and solidify HabitAware’s position as a leader in BFRB therapy. By addressing the identified issues and implementing the proposed strategy, HabitAware can enhance its brand credibility and deliver a more effective product to its users.

Information Synthesis and Notes on Strategy

High fidelity prototype made by yours truly regrouping the two masterclasses into one in order to improve cohesion.

Outcome

My work within the design team had to do with coming up with strategic ideas in order to aid HabitAware to have a clear vision for what is to come. I believe that by sending in annotated wireframes and having done a UX study, certain blindspots were uncovered and shared with the stakeholders.