myDEx

myDEx was an online intervention and research study developed for single young men, ages 18–24, who have sex with men and meet their partners online. The focus of this intervention was to provide risk reduction strategies for HIV prevention. Content was delivered in a relatable way, mimicking social media navigation, and allowed individuals to determine how deep they wanted to dive into any particular content area that they consumed.

  • Brand Identity,
  • UXR,
  • User Flows,
  • Prototyping,
  • Usability Testing,
  • Design System,
  • UX/UI,
  • Web Design,
  • Illustration,
  • Front-end

Role - UX Design Lead

The Problem

A comprehensive online intervention and research study was required to target young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YGBMSM). This initiative aimed to reach them with a mobile-first approach, mimicking other mobile apps and referencing familiar dating apps. The pilot aimed to investigate and tackle the following challenges:

  • Mitigating HIV risk during interactions with multiple sexual partners

  • Encouraging self-reflection on partner-seeking behaviors

  • Establishing decision-making guidelines and boundaries to minimize HIV risks

  • Promoting the adoption of HIV prevention practices

Goals

Design and implement an online intervention that effectively addresses HIV risk factors and promotes the adoption of prevention behaviors while online dating.

Building a Brand that Connects

The success of the intervention hinged on the connection with the target audience. Fortunately, our team had direct access via the Youth Advisory Board (YAB). In collaboration with them, we settled on the name “myDEx” (My Desires & Expectations). With the name in place, I initiated the creation of a logo and development of a brand. The designs were reviewed and approved by the YAB, who were the sole decision-makers for the final concept. Their valuable feedback throughout the process was crucial in ensuring the impact of our tool.

Round 1 Design Concepts

2

alternate layouts

7

color palettes

Brand Identity

With a color palette featuring soothing shades of blue and muted greens, myDEx sets the tone for its brand identity. Leveraging the Brandon Grotesque typeface, the tool infuses its design with a contemporary flair that resonates authentically with its youthful demographic. Through imagery showcasing diverse individuals, gay couples, and friend groups, myDEx openly embraces sexuality and related concepts without perpetuating stigma, ensuring an inclusive and affirming environment for its target audience of young gay men.

Study Flow

To effectively assess how the participants would engage with the tool, we needed to develop a detailed study flow. This involved determining various break points: whether participants would pass the eligibility survey, whether they would proceed to complete the baseline survey, and whether they would be randomized into control or intervention arms. For those randomized into the intervention, we also needed to establish how and when they would interact with the study content.

Intervention Research

The intervention planned to reference dating apps, how to engage with them and develop boundaries. A lot of research went into understanding the dating apps primarily used by YGBMSM, the pros and cons and how they worked. This helped inform the content itself, illustrations, and designs within the tool.

Understanding the Landscape: Gay Dating Apps

5

mainstream apps

2

secondary apps

2

contained HIV education

Information Architecture & Navigation

To enhance user engagement, we focused on incorporating elements from popular social media and dating apps of the time. We implemented a swipe-based interface, similar to Snapchat and dating apps, allowing users to easily navigate through content. If a topic sparked their interest, they could swipe up to access a more detailed layer with additional information. A third swipe up would direct them to a relevant reflective activity or YouTube video, further enriching their learning experience.

The Solution

High-Fidelity Designs

Impactful Content Delivery

Given that we weren’t forcing the users to engage with every piece of content, it was crucial for the top-tier content to leave a significant and captivating impact. Each frame featured a singular message that included vibrant, youthful writing coupled with a unique illustration, characterized by playful imagery.

Outcomes

Compared to those in the control group, participants who used myDEx reported that the intervention made it easier to live a healthier life, found the intervention provided useful HIV prevention information, helped them make better choices about relationships, improved their communication skills, and improved their ability to meet the type of partner they look for.

180

randomized individuals

120

in intervention arm

0

differences per arm for race / ethnicity, age, orientation

“Preliminary results suggest that the YGBMSM who used myDEx reported greater trends in sexual risk reduction, improvements in HIV prevention behaviors, and noted positive changes in their emotional and cognitive decision-making.”

“We also noted that myDEx participants would be more likely to continue using myDEx if it were publicly available…”

José Bauermeister, PhD, MPH, Presidential Professor of Nursing and Director of the Program on Sexuality, Technology, & Action Research (PSTAR), at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing