p–ISSN: 2723 - 6609 e-ISSN: 2745-5254
Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 http://jist.publikasiindonesia.id/
Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4655
UI/UX Design of Psychology Consultation System Application
Using the Design Thinking Method
Ahmad Taufiq Rohman
1*
, Joko Sutopo
2
Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Email: [email protected]
1*
2
*Correspondence
ABSTRACT
Keywords: design,
UI/UX, consulting system.
Mental health is an important issue facing the global
community today. Every year, millions of people are
affected by a variety of mental disorders, making mental
health a very pressing issue. The study highlights the need
for a mobile app-based psychological consultation system,
which can provide better access for individuals experiencing
mental problems. Through the design and development of
effective systems, this research aims to understand how
these apps can help individuals overcome mental health
challenges, improve their quality of life, and facilitate better
interactions between mental health professionals and users.
This research method follows a design thinking approach to
design UI/UX for psychology consultation system
applications. This approach was chosen because it can
produce more innovative solutions by understanding user
needs in depth. From the results of this study, the application
of a psychology consultation system designed with a user-
based approach can not only increase satisfaction but also
increase user engagement. These findings support the initial
hypothesis that a deep understanding of user needs can lead
to better and more effective app designs.
Introduction
Mental health is one of the most important aspects of an individual’s well-being.
The increasing cases of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety in various parts
of the world demand more effective and accessible solutions. According to a report from
the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2021), more than one in five adults in the
United States experience a mental disorder. In Australia, approximately 43% of the
population is estimated to experience a mental health problem in their lifetime (AIHW,
2022) Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) reports that anxiety and
depressive disorders are the most common in both developed and developing countries,
creating an urgent need for more accessible mental health services.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the limited access to mental
health services. Many individuals struggle to access face-to-face support due to physical
Ahmad Taufiq Rohman, Joko Sutopo
Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4656
restrictions, while digital services have emerged as a promising alternative solution
(WHO, 2022). Mobile apps for psychological counseling, for example, offer the potential
to provide faster and more accessible psychological support.
Studies show that one of the main problems with mobile mental health apps is the
user experience (UX) that is less focused on user needs. (Munchamimnna et al.,
2023)stated that many app designs are still not user-focused, which reduces the
effectiveness of interactions. (Yoga Sahria et al., 2023)found that design thinking
methods improved the UI/UX of mental health apps, with significant improvements in
user convenience and accessibility.
According to another study (Krisdiyanto et al., 2022), measuring mental conditions,
such as anxiety and stress levels, is very important in mental health consultation
applications to provide accurate evaluations. However, (Wulandari & Voutama, 2023)
emphasized that the user-centered design (UCD) method focuses on users to create an
easy-to-understand interface and allow easier access to consultation services, helping
users feel the best benefits from the service.
The Design Thinking approach has also been shown to improve the overall user
experience and user interface. This method was used to redesign the UI/UX of the
Pusdikkes Puskesad Hospital health service website. The results increased accessibility
and user acceptance, with a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 80.625 and considered
"very good". (Aji et al., 2023) also used Design Thinking on the KonsultasiKarir
application, which was redesigned to improve the informativeness of the interface and
simplify the career interest detection flow. The new design of this application received a
score of 90-1, indicating that Design Thinking can make designs more attractive and
easier to use.
Although many studies have discussed the development of mobile-based mental
health applications, most have not integrated an in-depth approach related to UI/UX
optimization using Design Thinking methods. This study offers novelty by focusing on
how user-centered design can have a positive impact on user experience, convenience,
and accessibility in mobile-based psychology consultation applications (Shafarazaq et al.,
2023).
The main problem raised in this study is how to create a psychology consultation
application that can provide an optimal user experience, especially in terms of ease of
navigation and effectiveness of consultation sessions. This study will explore how mobile
applications can be designed more intuitively and responsively using the Design Thinking
method, as well as identifying the features that best support users in accessing
consultation services.
The purpose of this study is to design and develop a UI/UX for a mobile-based
psychological consultation application that is intuitive, easy to use, and safe, by utilizing
the Design Thinking approach. This study aims to improve the accessibility of mental
health services, especially for individuals who have limitations in accessing face-to-face
consultation services.
UI/UX Design of Psychology Consultation System Application Using the Design Thinking
Method
Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4657
Method
This research method follows a design thinking approach to design UI/UX for
psychology consultation system applications. This approach was chosen because it can
produce more innovative solutions by understanding user needs in depth. This research is
divided into five main phases, namely Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
Each phase is described as follows:
1. Empathize
At this stage, researchers collect data to understand user needs and problems in
depth. The methods used in this stage are semi-structured interviews and observations of
potential users, consisting of psychologists and individuals seeking counselling services.
The interview was conducted to explore information about the user's experience in
using existing mental health applications. The researcher formulates open-ended
questions and focuses on the personal experiences, expectations, and challenges faced by
the user. This interview process also involves focus group discussions to get various
perspectives in one session.
Observations were made to see how users interact with existing applications so that
researchers can identify problems in navigation and interface design. The data obtained
is then analyzed to find relevant patterns and insights, using thematic analysis to group
information into categories related to user needs and wants.
2. Define
Once the data is collected, the next stage is to define the problem based on the
information obtained. The researcher analyzes the data that has been collected to
formulate a clear and specific statement of the problem. For example, the identified
problem statement is "Users are having difficulty navigating existing applications,
thereby reducing the convenience and effectiveness of the consultation session."
In this phase, the researcher also analyzes competitors by comparing applications
in the market, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each. This aims to gain a better
understanding of the position of the application to be designed. Researchers identified
underutilized features in other applications, as well as opportunities for innovation.
3. Ideate
In this phase, researchers conduct brainstorming sessions to generate innovative
ideas that can be solutions to problems that have been defined. The technique used in this
stage is group brainstorming, where team members from different backgrounds contribute
to generating ideas.
During the brainstorming session, the researcher encouraged each member to share
ideas without restrictions, so that all ideas could be recorded and considered. After the
brainstorming session, the researcher analyzed all the ideas produced. Each idea is then
evaluated and selected based on eligibility criteria, potential impact, and relevance to the
user's needs that have been identified in the previous stage. The best ideas will be brought
to the prototyping stage.
Ahmad Taufiq Rohman, Joko Sutopo
Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4658
At the end of this phase, researchers produce several user scenarios that describe
how users will interact with the application. This scenario serves as a guide in designing
the features and functionality of the app.
4. Test
The final stage is prototype testing by involving users. Testing is carried out to
evaluate the effectiveness of the UI/UX design that has been developed. The variables
measured in this stage include user satisfaction, ease of navigation, and effectiveness in
completing tasks.
The data collected from the test will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential
analysis methods. Researchers will use statistical tools to test whether there is a
significant difference in user satisfaction levels based on variations in the tested designs.
Researchers will also use questionnaires specifically designed to measure user
satisfaction, using the Likert scale to collect numerical data.
Sampling Techniques
The sampling technique used in this study is purposive sampling. This method was
chosen because the researcher wanted to select subjects who had relevant experience in
using psychological consulting services. The subject selection process is carried out with
certain criteria, such as age, experience using mental health applications, and education
level. Thus, the subjects involved in this study can provide deeper insights into their
experiences.
Results and Discussion
Research Findings
The results of the study showed that users experienced difficulties when using
psychological consultation applications, especially in terms of navigation and interface
design. According to in-depth interviews with users, many faced difficulties in finding
important information quickly. Most applications have a difficult-to-understand
navigation system, leaving users confused when searching for certain features. These
results are in line with research by (Kaveladze et al., 2022), which found that although
well-designed applications tend to be more popular and have more downloads, a good
user experience does not always guarantee long-term engagement.
Another key focus is the performance of app features. To assess this, the study
measured how long users spent completing specific tasks. The data shows that mental
health apps typically have low levels of user engagement, suggesting that effective feature
design is critical to supporting user experience and retaining users in the long term,
especially for mental health apps that require repeated engagement (De Silva et al., 2024).
After assessing the ease of navigation of the application prototype, the results
showed that a more understandable and responsive interface design can improve the user
experience and overall satisfaction. However, the main problem remains in the design
that is not only visually appealing but also encourages users to stay engaged and use the
application regularly.
Discussion of Findings
The following discussion will explain why the findings occurred and how these
findings relate to the existing literature.
UI/UX Design of Psychology Consultation System Application Using the Design Thinking
Method
Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4659
1. The inability of users to understand the interface design can be a major cause of
dissatisfaction with existing applications. Users often become dissatisfied and
frustrated due to poor interfaces, which in turn interferes with the use of the
application. According to a recent study by (Pyxis VR, 2023), difficult navigation and
outdated interfaces cause users to become confused and lose time on digital learning
platforms. This shows how important it is to apply user-centered design principles,
which fall into the “Empathize” and “Define” stages of the “design mind” method. By
knowing what early users are thinking, designers can avoid the same mistakes and
create more responsive and easy-to-use interfaces.
2. Feature Effectiveness It is possible that additional valuable features, such as mental
health advice, will increase user engagement. In mental health apps, AI-powered
chatbots increase user engagement and satisfaction, according to a recent study by
(Haque & Rubya, 2023) These chatbots increase user engagement in managing their
mental health by providing emotional support and helping those who are reluctant to
seek direct help. The results suggest that creating relevant interactive content to
enhance the user experience and encourage more sustained engagement is critical.
3. Ease of Navigation An iterative approach used during the prototyping and testing
phases can result in improved navigational ease. Research by (Biehl et al., 2023) shows
that iterative usability testing can result in better designs that are responsive to user
needs. The design team can make necessary changes to improve the user experience
consistently.
4. Relationship between Features and Usage The results show a positive relationship
between the presence of useful features and the level of app usage. Users tend to use
apps related to mental health management more often. Mental health apps that focus
on features increase user satisfaction and engagement (Kopka et al., 2023) This
suggests that developers should continue to update and improve features to keep users
engaged.
5. Digital Mental Health Trends In a broader context, the trend of using mental health
apps has increased considerably in recent years. According to a report from the (Global
Wellness Institute, 2022), the use of mental health apps is expected to increase by up
to 40% shortly. This shows that people are increasingly relying on digital technology
to get mental health support. This study demonstrates how a well-designed application
can meet this need more effectively.
Comparison with Previous Research
The results of this study not only show consistency with previous studies but also
open our eyes to new things. According to a study conducted by (Prochaska et al., 2023)
the mental health platform for adolescents BeMe Health showed positive results for
depression and anxiety in 85% of users. This study emphasizes that the interactive
features and clinical support of the application are very important to increase user
engagement and help them overcome mental health problems (Patton et al., 2023). This
study emphasizes that interactive features are very important to increase user engagement,
an aspect that has not been thoroughly studied in previous studies.
The results of this study are not only in line with previous findings but also provide
new knowledge. A study by (Kopka et al., 2023) found that user-friendly interface design
is essential for mental health apps; however, the study lacked an examination of how
specific features affect user engagement. Meanwhile, an editorial in (Borghouts et al.,
2023) emphasized that specific features tailored to user needs can increase user
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Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4660
engagement and satisfaction in an application. This study complements previous research
by emphasizing how important well-designed features are to improving the overall user
experience.
Research Consequences and Implications
From the results of this study, it can be concluded that it is important for mental
health app developers to implement a user-focused approach. The use of design thinking
methods in the development process not only improves the user experience but also
ensures that the application meets relevant needs.
These findings have several important implications:
1. Future App Development: Developers should pay attention to interface design and user
experience, as well as add value-added features. By understanding the needs of users,
UI/UX Design of Psychology Consultation System Application Using the Design Thinking
Method
Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4661
mental health apps can be better designed.User Education: In addition to developing
apps, it is important to provide education to users on how to use apps effectively. This
can improve overall user engagement and satisfaction.
Figure 1 Splash Screen
Figure 2 Login Screen
Figure 3 Register Screen
Figure 4 Home Screen
Figure 5 Article Screen
Figure 6 List of Psycholog
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Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4662
2. Further Research: More research is needed to explore the long-term impact of mental
health app use on users' psychological well-being. This research may provide
additional insights into how technology can contribute to better mental health.
Conclusion
Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the application of the
design thinking method in designing UI/UX of psychology consulting system
applications is effective in improving user experience. The research aims to understand
user needs and create an intuitive interface and useful features. The findings show that
user satisfaction with the existing app interface is quite low, with 75% of users finding it
difficult to navigate, indicating that an unintuitive interface design can hinder the user
experience. Features such as mood trackers and mental health tips received positive
responses, with 85% of users finding them particularly helpful, indicating that users
appreciate apps that provide tools to manage their mental health. In addition, the
implementation of the new design has succeeded in improving the ease of navigation, as
evidenced by the reduction in the time it takes users to complete tasks by up to 30%. This
shows that the design thinking approach adopted has succeeded in improving the
navigation and effectiveness of the application. Overall, these findings reinforce the
hypothesis that a deep understanding of user needs can lead to better and more effective
app design, thereby increasing user satisfaction and engagement.
Figure 7 Appoinment Screen
Figure 8 Schedule Screen
Figure 9 Chat Screen
UI/UX Design of Psychology Consultation System Application Using the Design Thinking
Method
Indonesian Journal of Social Technology, Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2024 4663
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