77%
U.S workers reported stress at work
Problem Statement
How might we provide trustworthy mental health support for employees facing high workplace stressors, especially when they don't trust employer resources?
solution
A live video platform where people can connect with similar professionals from other companies and provide support and advice to each other.
OUTCOME
Rating from surveyed professionals
Live, alpha launch targeting early 2025
Research & discovery
User Research
Surveyed professionals from a variety of fields and followed up with interviews
Found 8.4/10 average impact of work stressors on mental health
Desire for a solution that's both flexible and involves low effort moderation or no moderation from them
Competitive Analysis
I also reviewed existing alternatives and substitutes in the market and found that nearly no solution was profession specific. So people would need to either be lucky or persistent to find solutions to problems specific to their role and industry.
Target Users
Professionals across all industries
Needing a safe space to discuss work challenges with others in similar roles
Eva Elle
38 years old
Teacher
at NYC public schools
Needs & Goals
Avoid chronic burnout
Gain practical advice from peers who understand the pressures of managing a classroom in urban settings
Build confidence on public speaking and handling disruptive events
"The constant expectations at work make me feel like I’m never doing enough, which has really impacted my self-esteem."
"I want to be part of a supportive group where I can get feedback about work, but it’s hard to find know who I can trust at work or who's having the same experience as me."
Guy Mccoy
25 years old
Software engineer
at high growth startup
Needs & Goals
Learn how to navigate work politics
Figure out how to reduce stress from deadlines
Find a safe space to discuss challenges without judgment.
"The stress from my job keeps me up at night, and I’m finding it harder to switch off and relax."
"I need advice from someone who understands my work challenges, but I don’t always know who to reach out to."
problem definition & user testing
Feature Definition
Provide a way for people to connect with each other
Ensure there's moderation to ensure productive discussion
Ensure discussions are focused on career-related challenges
Design & Prototyping
User Flow
One of the key flows to test was the process of finding groups relevant to one's role and industry.
Testing & iteration
User Testing
I created low fidelity wireframes to validate both the user experience as well as understand receptiveness to the overall concept. Some key iterations based on feedback were:
Before
After
Role & Industry-Based Groups
Before: Hard to search for role and industry specific groups
V0
After: Filters make role & industry search easier
V1
Moderation
Before: Use of human moderator and written rules to manage discussion
V0
#
V1
Peer support vs group therapy
Before: Topic names use therapy terms like depression
V0
#
After: Topics strictly problem-oriented & non-therapy
V1
design and development
Hi Fidelity Design
After finalizing the mid-fidelity designs, I developed and implemented the brand to produce high fidelity designs. Key principles were:
Clean, calming design: I opted for natural colors and soft gradients to evoke a sense of calm and support the mental health focus.
Minimal distractions: The interface is deliberately minimal, keeping the focus on meaningful interactions rather than overwhelming users with information.
Enterprise-feel: Ensuring clarity so people understand the site is not a replacement for therapy
Logo
Minimalist, sans-serif
Subtle gradient of soft blue and green hues
Lowercase type presents casual but professional tone
color palette
Primary brand colors create a calming, approachable brand aesthetic
Evokes feelings of trust, relaxation, and harmony
TYPEOGRAPHY
Work Sans font is clean, modern, and highly readable
Promotes user accessibility
Professional yet approachable
UI Elements
Used various UI elements to create a cohesive product experience. Rounded corners, careful use of color and clean, simple lines all help contribute towards a professional, minimalist visual presentation.
The resulting AI-powered, peer support site is a safe, easy-to-navigate platform where users can connect with others experiencing similar work-related challenges. By leveraging video calls, Workvana brings the benefits of face-to-face interaction into a digital space, reducing isolation, fostering empathy, and creating a community of support.
Key features include:
Topic-Based Groups
The platform offers topic-specific groups (e.g., managing burnout, navigating career transitions, work-life balance) so users can find communities that relate to their particular challenges.
Create a Custom Group
Users can easily create their own groups around specific work challenges or topics, inviting others to join. This allows professionals to build their own support networks tailored to their unique needs, fostering personalized peer support.
AI-Powered Moderation
Workvana utilizes AI-powered moderation to ensure a safe and respectful environment during calls and group discussions. The AI automatically detects and manages undesired behaviors, such as over-talking overs or taking over the discussion and provides a way for the group to collectively take action, fostering a positive and productive conversation.
Positive User Feedback
Average 9/10 CSAT rating from surveyed professionals
Native App Experience
Started with a responsive mobile web experience for versatility and ease of adoption for the widest audience, however, future plans include a native app version
1x1 Mentoring
Per customer request, will also explore the expansion of functionality to include 1x1 mentoring in addition to group peer support
Expand the product to include 1x1 discussion capability
Verify additional security and privacy features users may be interested in
Alpha launch on desktop & mobile web in 2025