Transcend was created because of my knowledge of the hardships that the transgender community faces daily. Knowing the issues that arise in many transgender people’s lives is deeply saddening, and I needed to create a solution to help keep trans people alive and safe.
Introduction: Transcend is a mobile app designed to help transgender people with the mental health issues prevalent in the community.
Touchpoints: Brand identity, mood board, mobile app design, journal, poster
Category: Brand identity and UI/UX design
The existence of transgender people has become a political debate, creating severe distress within the community.
The New York Times, accessed 03/23/23
I conducted interviews with three transgender people, and a behavioral health professional who works primarily with LGBT+ patients.
98% of Proud [Family Health in Somerville, NJ] patients were recommended for behavioral therapy.
-Kim Keyes, LCSW LGBT+ Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinician
I was very aware I lived in a culture wherein it was normal for Christians to shun their own children for being [trans].
-Anonymous, Non-profit Worker, Maryland
I wasn’t going to explain why I didn’t cut off my hair to a judge in a hearing that determined my ability to live.
-Anonymous, Artist, Washington
I didn't even think about [medically transitioning] and was shut down by my mom. There's no way I would focus on being trans with that in my life.
-Anonymous, Retail Worker, Washington
These interviews were conducted with three transgender people, and a behavioral health professional, in October of 2022.
From secondary research, I found that:
Transgender individuals are
41% more likely
to attempt suicide than their
cisgender counterparts.
"Transgender Rights and Issues." Georgetown Journal of Gender and the Law, vol. 21, no. 2, 2020, pp. 479-[ii]. HeinOnline.
I created a survey that was sent out to trans people within the United States. Through this survey, I discovered that:
Of the trans people surveyed
who attend therapy,
nearly 40%
do not feel welcomed in
their therapy environment.
“Gender Transition Survey”. Google survey. 25 persons. October 21, 2022
With the knowledge gained from research, I came to three key conclusions:
Much of the anxiety that transgender people have is because of medical, financial, and emotional obstacles.
Transgender people are nine times more likely to attempt suicide than their cisgender counterparts during their lifetime.
A survey of 25 transgender people showed that 42% of transgender people do not feel welcomed in their therapy environment.
Problem:
How can we help transgender people have better mental wellness?
Solution:
Offer free therapy sessions for the trans community facilitated by volunteers.
There are therapy apps that target the LGBT+ community as a whole, but no therapy app exists that focuses on transgender people specifically.
Many apps exist that focus on transgender people, but none offer behavioral therapy.
Trans-friendly therapists exist, but oftentimes are only in large cities or are out of reach due to the financial constraints of the patient.
*The app ‘huddle’ is
no longer available.
Assists the LGBT+ community in general.
Assists the LGBT+ community in general,
but is not well-known
(+500 downloads on Google Play).
These personas were created to associate a user's pain points with a hypothetical person.
Flow 1:
Creating an account and joining a therapy appointment session
Flow 2:
Creating a new medication reminder
Flow 3:
Reviewing and creating coping mechanisms
