mindsync

Addressing and Managing the Mental Load

UX / UI / PRODUCT DESIGN

OVERVIEW

My Capstone project, MindSync is an app designed to help manage the mental load between couples. While historically, the topic of the mental load has been very relevant to women, the app is framed in a gender-neutral light to adapt to evolving family dynamics as society continues to shift from tradition.

SUMMARY

Problem

The mental load is the often overlooked effort in daily domestic tasks, typically taken on by caregivers who handle more cognitive and emotional responsibilities than their partners. This can lead to overwhelm and exhaustion, leaving little room for self-care, as well as build resentment towards partners.

Outcome

An app designed to offer decision support, streamlined task management, integrated self-care reminders, and encourage productive communication between couples in order to share the mental load better.

RESEARCH

How is the mental load perceived and addressed?

I conducted a survey with around 200 participants, performed a competitive analysis and literature review to understand:

1. How household tasks are distributed between couples, and the reason behind that setup

2. Perceptions of the mental load from both partners

3. Current approaches individuals use to manage their mental load

Identified Pain Points

Research Insights

Following my research, I came to these 2 conclusions:

1. Communication is a prevalent issue, people know they aren’t mind readers, yet assume the other person knows what they want.

2. Many less-active partners in a household do genuinely want to help but have a different perspective, some requiring explicit reminders to recognize tasks.

HOW MIGHT WE

Facilitate communication, equally share emotional labor, and provide ways to manage tasks collaboratively that would help address many of these pain points?

mindsync

My Role

Team

Timeline

Tools

SUMMARY

Problem

Outcome

RESEARCH

How is the mental load perceived and addressed?

Identified Pain Points

Research Insights

1. Communication is a prevalent issue, people know they aren’t mind readers, yet assume the other person knows what they want.

2. Many less-active partners in a household do genuinely want to help but have a different perspective, some requiring explicit reminders to recognize tasks.

Facilitate communication, equally share emotional labor, and provide ways to manage tasks collaboratively that would help address many of these pain points?

mindsync

My Role

Team

Timeline

Tools

SUMMARY

Problem

Outcome

RESEARCH

How is the mental load perceived and addressed?

Identified Pain Points

Research Insights

1. Communication is a prevalent issue, people know they aren’t mind readers, yet assume the other person knows what they want. 2. Many less-active partners in a household do genuinely want to help but have a different perspective, some requiring explicit reminders to recognize tasks.

Facilitate communication, equally share emotional labor, and provide ways to manage tasks collaboratively that would help address many of these pain points?

1. Communication is a prevalent issue, people know they aren’t mind readers, yet assume the other person knows what they want.

2. Many less-active partners in a household do genuinely want to help but have a different perspective, some requiring explicit reminders to recognize tasks.