Exploring alternate directions

This week, I set out to test communication through visual representation of emotions using color. In my research and progress from the last prototype, I realized that there was a need of communicating emotions quickly and swiftly with as less friction as possible.

To start off, I bought a number of sticky notes in different colors and approached one of the user testers to explain the way they would be using these sticky notes to develop a system of identifying their emotions throughout the day.

System of sticky notes: the person living with MS identified what the colors meant to her.

A common space for the test to take place was picked. In this case, it was the kitchen, where the user and her support network would have common access to.

I came up with the following instructions for the user to follow throughout the course of the next two weeks:

• Identify an emotion with each color of the sticky notes.
• Track their emotions/moods with the colors throughout the day, putting them on the fridge.

I came up with the following instructions for the support network to follow throughout the course of the next two weeks:

• Understand what each color means for the person living with MS and track her moods/emotions.
• Track their own reactions to what they see on the fridge.

I kept track of both user groups through the first week and made only observations, no interventions at any point of the first week.