THE STORY
Young people, CMHA Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services, and CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services came together with a mission to break down barriers for young people seeking support and services to address substance use and behavioural addiction.
The mission was clear, but the solution needed to be defined, co-designed, and actioned. The PixelPlot team jumped at the opportunity to be part of this unique, youth-centred design and development process.
What We Did to Tell the Story
Conducting Market Research
The co-design process began with an extensive youth engagement experience. Young people and their families were engaged through focus groups, surveys, and interviews to better understand their needs, gaps in service, and potential solutions. An analysis of their insights and ideas revealed that young people were seeking a virtual solution that would provide easy to access information and counselling all in one place.
Mapping Out the User Experience
To co-create a virtual solution, a small group of young people participated in multiple, youth-led user experience design sessions. Through these facilitated session, young people provided guidance on everything from colour and language choices to navigation and functionality considerations.
Designing a Virtual Platform
With the direction set, the PixelPlot team got to work. A customized, inclusive brand, using unique illustrations that represented the diverse experiences of young people was designed and refined with the feedback of young people. The same process was used in the design of the website with wireframes and mock-ups all being youth-informed and co-designed through collaboration sessions.
The result, the launch of Crossing Bridges – free and confidential virtual safe space where young people can connect virtually with an addictions counsellor, get information about substance use, and connect with substance use services and supports.
The website features large illustrations, a clean and uncluttered layout, enhanced search and navigation functionality and a booking function that lets young people book appointments based on Counsellor availability. Crossing Bridges is a world-class solution for young people.
EVERY STORY IS DIFFERENT
How It’s Designed Should Be Too.
READY TO TELL YOUR STORY?
We’ll Help You Share It with the World.
PixelPlot is a Kovacs Group Inc. company.