It's your mind
“It's your mind” is a campaign about taking care of the mind because of what it goes through as a result of digital information overload. Alongside explaining what information overload is and how it happens, the campaign introduced activities, weekly habits as well as breathing exercises that can be conducted to reduce the likelihood and/or effects of getting overwhelmed by too much information online. By constantly reminding individuals that it is their mental health at stake, the campaign hopes to instil a sense of accountability in people to ensure that they prioritise their mental state.
Information overload was something that I frequently experienced without knowing much about. As such, i was excited to learn more about this topic. Through my research, I found out that despite many people knowing how to feel less overwhelmed, 70% still felt anxious by too much information. Hence, I wanted my campaign to incorporate actionable steps to instantly make people feel better.
The light, pastel colours evoked feelings of serenity that were soothing to the eye and mind. The visuals used throughout my campaign are illustrations of the brain with comically large and expressive eyes to showcase what the character was feeling. The characters were also endearing and slightly humorous to remind users to take it easy on their minds and to give their brain a break.
The main campaign is a monthly self-help journal that is available by subscription. This journal contains activities and information about digital overload. The calendar inside the journal lets the user know what activity they should complete each day. The two secondary outcomes of my campaign complement each other to provide a holistic outcome. The first secondary outcome is a poster series that reminds viewers to prioritise their mind and enforces that they breathe and relax their brain. The QR code on the posters lead to the last supporting outcome-a video. This brings viewers through a few cycles of guided breathing to help them take a moment to relax when they feel overwhelmed.
Self-Help Journal
Information overload occurs when the brain is unable to process new information, resulting in detachment and frustration. Since this subject required a more personal approach, I designed a monthly self-help journal. The activities in this book were designed to promote awareness, habit formation, and mindfulness. The mint green, paired with bolder, contrasting purple and blues, allows for a soothing effect while still ensuring that information is not skimmed over. Additionally, an array of paper sizes and graphics was used throughout the book to create layers and visual interest, respectively.
Mindful Poster Series
While the journal was a more personal outcome, these posters were aimed at a wider audience to remind them not to neglect their mental health, but instead, to prioritise it. Expressive graphics of the brain were positioned in different areas on each poster to give them a playful look. Each poster also uses different coloured text to create visual hierarchy. Additionally, when the QR code is scanned, viewers will be directed to a video on mindful breathing to jumpstart the act of caring for their mind.
Mindful App
By following along with the interactive video, users can regulate their breathing for a calmer mind. Apart from the instructions, a timed visual of a circle rhythmically expands and contracts. This tells the user if they should inhale or exhale. Lastly, the smooth transitions between different frames of the video add to the calming effect.
