September 2: New Design
We talked a lot about managing change here at 7 cups (link). We have a big change coming down the pipeline that I wanted to share with all of you. In the next couple of weeks well releasing a new design for the desktop version of our site. We are going to observe and iterate, just like we do with all of our changes, and then well translate what we learned into releasing a new design for the apps as well.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn has been working closely with Mathias (our visual designer) on ways to make the site clear, simple, and easy to navigate. Theyve been working on this for over 3 months. Im very excited about this next version. It feels like we climbed up one mountain, made it to a new plateau, and are now ready to climb the next mountain.
For context, this is what the original 7 cups looked like:
You all know what the current version looks like. It was a big improvement over the old version.
Here is a screenshot of the new version (we are still working on the text/copy):
Besides a whole new look, the new design has several other components:
Much easier to navigate - the current version is like an old giant tree house where we just kept building room after room and connecting them. People would often get lost and not know how to find there way back. Another metaphor is like a poorly designed library or museum with no signs so you meander around, but dont really know how to get back.
The new version flows much better on all fronts. It feels nice and comfortable to walk around. You go from room to room and you know where you are and how to get back.
Less Distractions - our current version is has a lot of things that pull and call for your attention. Each of these things is a sort of tax on your brain. It distracts you from what you are trying to do. Weve taken these all away so the new site will feel much more calm and peaceful.
There are two pathways - many people come to our site and they feel too anxious to chat right away. They either leave or they start a chat and then leave. Now we have two options. A person can start the growth path with an exercise or they can start chatting.
Growth path more central - right now the growth path is kind of hidden and not designed too well. The new version has the growth path central on the guest/member side. Weve added a number of exercises and thought quite a bit about the different ways the person can walk down the path. Both exercises and chats move you down the path. This is what it'll look like soon:
Emphasis on community - in my pain to path post (link) I talked about the importance of our community. We added the feed and we are updating the forums in this new version to underline the importance of the community.
Also, a caveat, design by committee doesnt typically work, so I need to let you know that these designs are not something we can really modify. I dont believe wed want to as they are light years ahead of where we are now. We will continue to refine the copy and add tweaks here and there, but the visual design is set at this point.
Several of you indicated that it is helpful to know about new updates well in advance. I hope this helps! Let us know if you have questions. Looking very forward to sharing this with all of you.
That looks awesome! Can't wait to see the release version :D Any ETA on this update?
The hope/plan is less than 2 weeks. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.
Awesome!
@Ace13 i'd add a week to that estimate at this point.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn Thanks for the update!
This new design looks really cool and is a stark contrast from the very first design that was in the beginning
Thanks! I think so as well :)
Just one question though, @GlenM why is there so much blue?
Because blue is awesome!!!! @Glen @n0thing14 :p
Plus blue is like a nature calming colour :) its what a few people use has calming colours when talking to people like counsellors I know we not counsellor but the blue helps members stay relaxed!!!! Like if it was black member wouldn't feel comfortable....!!! But normally blue or green :) that may not be why xD but just though would point out lol
and like the way red seems to rile everybody up :)
I'm really liking the looks of this! Can't wait for it to actually come out :D
me too :D
Loving it! I'm excited to see what the design looks in action. From those shots, it's pretty nice, and I'm interested to know what that "Your cup is almost full" part stands for. The growth path steps also look like a cup from above. Is that intentional?
Most of all, I'm excited for the forum update. I have been waiting on that for years, and now it will be here! If it looks anything like the shots, it will be beautiful.
you are very observant, @Kane ;')
@Kane, yes, teacups - that was @Twisha's idea. Cool right?
The cup being full is this idea that you have a wellness teacup. When you take a step on the growth path it goes from 50% to 75% full. When you take another step it goes from 75% full to 100% full. If you skip a day, then it goes down 25%. If you skip 2 days it goes to 50%. It is always half full - we are optimists after all :).
We are designing a system that makes it easier for people to recover and grow stronger. Many people come to 7 cups, feel supported, and then leave. Tough relationships and stressors weigh them down and they don't make as much progress in overcoming their challenges as they could. This isn't just a problem for us, this is the biggest problem in mental health and in healthcare in general. The teacup motivator is one small way that we try to encourage people to keep taking small steps in recovery. To keep learning new skills, to keep connecting, to keep walking forward with the idea that they can move from being in a place of feeling weak to a place of being very strong and supported.
I love the concept! ahaha
about the half full/ half empty thing, I see it in a different way @GlenM , I use it differently depending on what's our goal, if we are filling a cup and its at the half, I'd say it's half full, but if I would be drinking from that cup and it's at the half, I would say it's half empty, that sounds more encouraging to me than saying half full D:
that was just a random thing ahah sorry for the bother :P
Glad you like it @Ace13, I hope it works!
Not at a bother at all :)
Using images to make steps to recovery comprehensible is so much more effective than words alone.. "User friendly" doesn't go far enough in lauding the benefits of the approach 7 Cups has always taken in that regard. Truly (no pun intended) visionary. Good work.
This is so exciting! :) It will be like Christmas when this arrives. I may or may not cry. I think we should have a "New Design Celebration" chat room for a few hours on the day, anyone like this idea? ;) I want a partaaaay.
yaaasss bring the party room <3 ahaha
omggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg @Ace13 you read ny name
@Jake, sounds like a great idea!
Jake, maybe that room can also help resolving navigational difficulties/clarifications in site features if any for listeners/members( Just my two cents) and of course party :)
Yes we should celebrate !
Thank you @GlenM ! This looks amazing :) I can't wait to be able to try it.
This design looks a lot more muted and clutter free, nice work design team :)
thanks! we are trying to preserve what we all love about the site and design now but reduce the visual buzz and "cognitive load" (especially since we're all kind of the sensitive types, aren't we? :D).
not as clear from the visual mockups is that we're also trying to rationalize and "clean up" the navigation so it's easier to understand and use, and more consistent for between apps and site, and when acting as a member or listener.
the forum updates are actually the heaviest lift and will be the last step for us, and even then we'll have continued improvements to make to the forum (and the rest of the new community section).
Krink, some people prefer light text on dark background as a way to relieve eyestrain over long hours of listening. White is considered to emit and not reflect energy. Maybe there can be some screen colour preference at the listener side like we have in e-book readers? Just a thought to ponder upon :)
I think the stylesheet will permit that sort of thing, even if we don't offer it right off the bat.
I'm loving the new look! Definitely looking forward to that release date!
This underlines how far the site has come. I sometimes go over to waybackmachine and check out the old look. xD
Seriously though: This UI looks quite modern and I feel this will be a great change. I know you are probably not taking suggestions , since these things dont work that way, but: the bar at the bottom is a waste of some precious space. It can be utilised better. Anyhow I am LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!!
Thanks @hoepfullTree78 - that bar is just my bad cropping job. It isn't actually on the design. It keeps going I just couldn't capture the full image.
Wow! the new design looks amazing! Can't wait to actually see it!
