Virtual Humans
USC Institute for Creative Technologies
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ROLES
BATTLE BUDDY is a virtual human-led mental health and wellness application that promotes resiliency among Veterans at risk for suicide. The application’s interactive, conversational AI utilizes content from VA’s Suicide Safety Planning program during brief daily check-ins with Veterans. The mobile application will also connect with wearable sensors to leverage sleep, exercise, and other health signals
Designer, creator, researcher
Overview:
Read about the project in the news:
“‘Battle Buddy:’ Revolutionizing Mental Health for Veterans”
“Battle Buddy announced as one of ten Mission Daybreak Winners”
I designed virtual human character narrative and engagement content for an interactive game within Battle Buddy, focusing on emotional connection and user motivation, personalized to the unique context of veterans based off user studies and existing research.
Incorporating research and techniques of video game design, I was able to combine these skills and knowledge with the unique context of the project to intentionally develop interactions that our audience could connect with.
CHARACTER NARRATIVE
I conducted extensive research on how virtual humans are used across industries and contexts, as well as user testing of virtual human design iterations. I collaborated on a scoping review of current virtual human research, addressing design and use cases.
I informed my designs with information and feedback from previous user studies, and subject matter experts to make sure my designs and content was accurate, appropriate, and familiar for this audience.
I then developed UX wireframes showing app user flow, highlighting virtual human engagements and interactions within the app. Working with team developers, I designed an array of interactions for different game events and triggers, and checked to be sure they would align with game flow and character narratives.
I worked closely with developers to consistently get their feedback on my interaction designs, and to gain a better understanding of the back-end design process to ensure that my designs aligned with current technical capabilities.
Throughout my work I documented the process of my designs, scripts, and other assets for future projects and design scale considerations to incorporate future project goals .
I presented weekly deliverables to my team to gain valuable feedback and suggestions for new iterations that I would design and present the following week.
DESIGN PROCESS
Working with virtual humans has really enhanced my love for storytelling and connection. The most exciting part of this design process has been figuring out ways to create emotional moments between the character and the user that feel natural. I’ve always been interested in how to weave genuine empathy between people and the technology we use, and creating this story of our character has allowed me to practice this in a different context and with a different audience. Working in this specific context has helped me to grow in my own ways, expanding my perspectives and building an even stronger empathy towards this audience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS