Platform design recentering working mothers' lives
Platform design recentering working mothers' lives
Platform design recentering working mothers' lives
BeMe is a platform dedicated to empowering young working mothers, addressing the high-pressure demands of career life while strengthening parent-child bonds through tailored solutions.
As the product designer, I guided the system’s journey through an end-to-end user research process, exploring pain points via interviews, surveys, and usability testing. By deeply understanding user needs, we crafted an ecosystem, mapping stakeholder dynamics and defining system value.
Our iterative design process and features have earned high praise from stakeholders, clients, and academic mentors, delivering practical support and meaningful connections.
BeMe is a platform dedicated to empowering young working mothers, addressing the high-pressure demands of career life while strengthening parent-child bonds through tailored solutions.
As the product designer, I guided the system’s journey through an end-to-end user research process, exploring pain points via interviews, surveys, and usability testing. By deeply understanding user needs, we crafted an ecosystem, mapping stakeholder dynamics and defining system value.
Our iterative design process and features have earned high praise from stakeholders, clients, and academic mentors, delivering practical support and meaningful connections.
Client
SPoint Design(Shanghai)
Academic Mentors
Year
MAY 2023 - AUG 2023
type
team based
Role
Product | UX Designer
DELIVERABLES
Service system
PRDs
Interface Design
Background
Soaring Working Moms: Navigating Career and Family
23.2% of women face career setbacks due to marriage and parenthood, compared to 10.7% of men. Half seek balance, 20% prioritize careers, yet working moms report higher anxiety, highlighting the need for stronger support systems.
23.2% of women face career setbacks due to marriage and parenthood, compared to 10.7% of men. Half seek balance, 20% prioritize careers, yet working moms report higher anxiety, highlighting the need for stronger support systems.
· 77.2% working mothers spend more than two hours a day on housework.
· 77.2% working mothers spend more than two hours a day on housework.
70% of mother with children under 18 participating in the labor force
70% of mother with children under 18 participating in the labor force
70% of mother with children under 18 participating in the labor force
· 77.2% working mothers spend more than two hours a day on housework.
Research process
To figure out target user's archetype, we started with an survey to identify three user patterns. Then, we conducted semi-structured interviews and room tours to focus on specific user profiles.
To figure out target user's archetype, we started with an survey to identify three user patterns. Then, we conducted semi-structured interviews and room tours to focus on specific user profiles.
Survey: 56 effective responses
Survey: 56 effective responses
#Work & Life*10, Childcare*29, Work & Childcare*12
Semi-structured interview: 4 participants
Semi-structured interview: 4 participants
#2 College Teachers at 30ish, 1 Housewife at 40ish, 1 Clerical at 30ish
Persona:
Persona:
#Main User
#Main User
Jessica
Career First
Career First
“I’m more focused on my career, which means sacrificing time with family and relying on their support for home...”
Biography:
Biography:
Biography:
Frustration:
Frustration:
Frustration:
- Looking for career success and there is no time to spend with the children.
- Willing to pay money for children's upbringing, but emotional absence
- Parenting ideas clash with elders, but there is no one to talk.
Age:
Age:
Age:
32
32
32
Collage teacher
Collage teacher
Collage teacher
Job:
Job:
Job:
3 years old boy
3 years old boy
3 years old boy
Child:
Child:
Child:
4-6 with parents
4-6 with parents
4-6 with parents
Family:
Family:
Family:
- Looking for career success and there is no time to spend with the children.
- Willing to pay money for children's upbringing, but emotional absence
- Parenting ideas clash with elders, but there is no one to talk.
- Looking for career success and there is no time to spend with the children.
- Willing to pay money for children's upbringing, but emotional absence
- Parenting ideas clash with elders, but there is no one to talk.
“I’m more focused on my career, which means sacrificing time with family and relying on their support for home...”
#Secondary User
#Secondary User
Judy
Family First
Family First
“Some say i’m traditional, I am! Family always comes the first, I don’t want to miss it.”
“Some say i’m traditional, I am! Family always comes the first, I don’t want to miss it.”
“Some say i’m traditional, I am! Family always comes the first, I don’t want to miss it.”
Biography:
Biography:
Biography:
Behavior:
Behavior:
Behavior:
Do her best to be involved in her child's development and give up career opportunities
Do her best to be involved in her child's development and give up career opportunities
Age:
Age:
Age:
32
32
32
-
-
Job:
Job:
Job:
Do her best to be involved in her child's development and give up career opportunities
#Secondary User
#Secondary User
Tina
Work&Life Balancer
Work&Life Balancer
“I tried my best to live, caring my 2 years baby, working 996. It’s stressing...”
“I tried my best to live, caring my 2 years baby, working 996. It’s stressing...”
“I tried my best to live, caring my 2 years baby, working 996. It’s stressing...”
Biography:
Biography:
Biography:
Behavior:
Behavior:
Behavior:
Like any working woman, she is faced with the dual demands of working and caring for her family.
Like any working woman, she is faced with the dual demands of working and caring for her family.
Age:
Age:
Age:
32
32
32
-
-
Job:
Job:
Job:
Like any working woman, she is faced with the dual demands of working and caring for her family.
Stakeholder overview
Here's how our design was guided, validated, and enriched through stakeholder collaboration. We
Here's how our design was guided, validated, and enriched through stakeholder collaboration. We
Career First
Balancer
Pay and get support for housework
Traditional conceptual constraints
Mom
Child
Family First
Husband
Work
Manager
Husband
Husband
Parents
house
keepers
Social Media
Community
Negotiation of working hours
Ask for help with childcare
Economic support
Division of labour
Support Parenting
Economic Support
Parent-child fun and socialising
Childcare facilities support
Childcare and planning
Share and ask
[fig 1]
Stakeholder maps: constructed based on three types of user themes
Scenario Cluster
After constructing Persona by extracting key user characteristics through research, further perform hierarchical clustering, and mine key user needs and feasible scenarios.
After constructing Persona by extracting key user characteristics through research, further perform hierarchical clustering, and mine key user needs and feasible scenarios.
Hover on each area to view details:
Hover on each area to view details:
Hover on each area to view details:
Special Scenario
Accompany & Records
Cross Scenarios
Time & Efficiency
Pressure Relief
Personal Values & Growth
Parenting Community
Scenario Specificity
Scenario Frequency
[chart 1]
Cluster Map: Click quadrant thumbnails for details; Blank area to return.
Special Scenario
Accompany & Records
Cross Scenarios
Time & Efficiency
Pressure Relief
Personal Values & Growth
Parenting Community
Key findings
Efficiency is Key: Working mothers juggle careers and childcare, craving smart tools to streamline tasks and save time.
Efficiency is Key: Working mothers juggle careers and childcare, craving smart tools to streamline tasks and save time.
Stress Needs Attention: Busy schedules leave working mothers drained, with neglected self-care amplifying stress and health risks.
Stress Needs Attention: Busy schedules leave working mothers drained, with neglected self-care amplifying stress and health risks.
Self-Worth Matters: Overwhelmed by roles, mothers seek time for personal growth to reclaim their identity beyond parenting.
Self-Worth Matters: Overwhelmed by roles, mothers seek time for personal growth to reclaim their identity beyond parenting.
Community Fuels Support: Working mothers thrive by sharing experiences online, finding fulfillment and advice in parenting networks.
Community Fuels Support: Working mothers thrive by sharing experiences online, finding fulfillment and advice in parenting networks.
Connection Drives Balance: Limited time with kids pushes working mothers to prioritize communication and shared moments.
Connection Drives Balance: Limited time with kids pushes working mothers to prioritize communication and shared moments.
Time & Efficiency
Conveniently and intelligently helps users to plan their time and tasks, leaving more room for life and self.
Self-health concerns and stress relief appear important.
Pressure Relief
Providing mums with tools to communicate with children in ways that is both aesthetically pleasing as well as child friendly.
Accompany
Social media communication features and online communities
Parenting Community
Efficient time management and multi-channel platforms ensure time and information for personal growth
Personal Value & Growth
[Fig 2]
Hierachy Diagram of Insights .
Challenge
How might we help working mothers efficiently manage their time and responsibilities across work, family, and personal growth, while reducing stress and enhancing their overall well-being?
Goals
Our high level goal were to:
Our high level goal were to:
Thrive in Every Role, Effortlessly.
Thrive in Every Role, Effortlessly.
Relieve stress with real-time support and mindful moments.
Simplify daily tasks with smart, time-saving solutions.
Unlock personal growth through meaningful opportunities.
Strengthen bonds with your child, even in a busy life.
Share your journey and connect with a supportive community.
Design solustion
In the midst of busy, high-pressure parenting and working lives, BeMe is committed to providing practical and convenient parenting support for young working mothers with children aged 6 and under.
In the midst of busy, high-pressure parenting and working lives, BeMe is committed to providing practical and convenient parenting support for young working mothers with children aged 6 and under.
lifestyle manage platform centering working mom
lifestyle manage platform centering working mom
Software-led interactive system
Software-led interactive system
APP
APP
APP
Intelligent time management integrating health resources, personal space, and an organic PUGC community for meaningful social interactions.
Intelligent time management integrating health resources, personal space, and an organic PUGC community for meaningful social interactions.
Accompany System
Accompany System
Accompany System
Mindful accompany system with meditation sphere for self-space and interactive blocks for remote bonding.
Mindful accompany system with meditation sphere for self-space and interactive blocks for remote bonding.
BeME.
User
Children Store
Activity Platform
Meditation Resources
Physical health resources
Health monitor services
Consulting specialists
Government
Eating Well Resources
Arena
Internet
Service
Product Manufacturers
Society
personal info
Lifestyle
knowledge info
Accompany
Health Data
Ads
Ads
Ads
Ads
Ads
Ads
Product
Product
Activities
Hardware Products
Funds
Funds
Funds
Diet Plan
Physical Plan
Knowledge Support
Reputation
Network Provider
Network Provider
Network Provider
Network Provider
Network Provider
Knowledge Support
Knowledge Support
Knowledge Support
Venue Information
Event Venue
Funds
Reputation
Reputation
Reputation
Meditation Resources
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Schools
Community
socio-medical
[Fig 3]
Stakerholder Map
Stakeholders
Stakeholders
Product & Service
Product & Service
Funds
Funds
Info
Info
invisible value
invisible value
Usability Test
After completing the primary interaction prototype, we conducted a usability test to further validate its effectiveness. We recruited two working mothers in their early 30s, both holding a bachelor's degree, each with one child under the age of six.
After completing the primary interaction prototype, we conducted a usability test to further validate its effectiveness. We recruited two working mothers in their early 30s, both holding a bachelor's degree, each with one child under the age of six.
[Fig 4]
Participants' interaction experience
Each session lasted approximately 30 minutes. Users were assigned five core tasks, one for each main feature module. Throughout the session, we asked them to Think-Aloud and closely observed every micro-interaction. Interaction times were precisely recorded to collect quantitative data.
Each session lasted approximately 30 minutes. Users were assigned five core tasks, one for each main feature module. Throughout the session, we asked them to Think-Aloud and closely observed every micro-interaction. Interaction times were precisely recorded to collect quantitative data.
[Fig 5]
Task Completion Timeline - P.1
[Fig 6]
Task Completion Timeline - P.2
Usability test insights
Interface Design:
Navigation Clarity: Navigation icons lacked semantic clarity, leading to misinterpretation (e.g., the “Explore” icon was associated with social media). Participants preferred paired text labels for better orientation.
Onboarding & Guidance: The meditation interface lacked onboarding cues and instructional content, resulting in confusion about its purpose.
Readability: Font size and visual hierarchy on the meditation homepage were insufficient, affecting readability.
Visual Differentiation: State transitions within the meditation flow (“Start,” “In Progress,” “End”) were visually too similar, reducing clarity.
Interface Design:
Navigation Clarity: Navigation icons lacked semantic clarity, leading to misinterpretation (e.g., the “Explore” icon was associated with social media). Participants preferred paired text labels for better orientation.
Onboarding & Guidance: The meditation interface lacked onboarding cues and instructional content, resulting in confusion about its purpose.
Readability: Font size and visual hierarchy on the meditation homepage were insufficient, affecting readability.
Visual Differentiation: State transitions within the meditation flow (“Start,” “In Progress,” “End”) were visually too similar, reducing clarity.
Content Perception:
Target Audience Perception: Without clear positioning, users misinterpreted the app as a fitness tracker or postpartum health tool, highlighting the need for stronger user context.
Content Load: Participants found the app content-heavy, suggesting it might be better suited for highly structured or goal-oriented users.
Content Perception:
Target Audience Perception: Without clear positioning, users misinterpreted the app as a fitness tracker or postpartum health tool, highlighting the need for stronger user context.
Content Load: Participants found the app content-heavy, suggesting it might be better suited for highly structured or goal-oriented users.
Deliverables
Integrated App for Balance, Wellness, and Connection
Integrated App for Balance, Wellness, and Connection
Integrated App for Balance, Wellness, and Connection
Time Management & Self Growth
Conveniently and intelligently helps users to plan their time and tasks, leaving more room for life and self.
Efficient time management and multi-channel platforms ensure time and information for personal growth
Time Management & Self Growth
Conveniently and intelligently helps users to plan their time and tasks, leaving more room for life and self.
Efficient time management and multi-channel platforms ensure time and information for personal growth
Time Management & Self Growth
Conveniently and intelligently helps users to plan their time and tasks, leaving more room for life and self.
Efficient time management and multi-channel platforms ensure time and information for personal growth
[Fig 7]
App Interface - Tab.Plan
Pressure Relief
Self-health concerns and stress relief appear important.
Pressure Relief
Self-health concerns and stress relief appear important.
Pressure Relief
Self-health concerns and stress relief appear important.
[Fig 8]
App Interface - Tab.HealthCare
[Fig 9]
App Interface - Tab.Meditation
Parenting Community
Social media communication features and online communities
Parenting Community
Social media communication features and online communities
Parenting Community
Social media communication features and online communities
[Fig 10]
App Interface - Tab.Explore
Mindful Connections: A Companion System for Space and Bonding
Mindful Connections: A Companion System for Space and Bonding
Mindful Connections: A Companion System for Space and Bonding
Breath Orb - Pressure Relief
Breath Orb - Pressure Relief
[Fig 11]
Breath Orb Render
Kinnect Bricks - Accompany
Kinnect Bricks - Accompany
[Fig 12]
Kinnect Render & Interface
impact
Recognized Excellence
Our design solutions have been well received by trial users, industry experts at SPOINT Design, and academic mentors at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Drawing on user feedback, our in-depth research into the target audience helped identify design elements that effectively addressed their needs. The ability to develop systems that meet complex requirements has been widely praised.
Recognized Excellence
Our design solutions have been well accepted by trial users, industry experts at SPOINT Design, and academic mentors at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Drawing on user feedback, our in-depth research into the target audience helped identify design elements that effectively addressed their needs. The ability to develop systems that meet complex requirements has been widely praised.