Design a safe and accessible UX foundation for a multisided social intervention platform.
Manu
Overview
Manu is a web based platform commissioned by the TRADIS Research Chair at UQAM, an interdisciplinary group focused on improving how digital tools support social intervention and community wellbeing. The platform provides LGBTQI2S individuals with a confidential online space offering resources, self assessment tools and access to real time intervention. I led the UX research and early product design across the portal, detection tools, dashboards and chat features, focusing on emotional safety, accessibility and ethical design.
ROLE
UX Designer
CLIENT
UQAM (Whisky Echo Bravo agency)
DATE
2023 to 2025
Challenge Context
The platform needed to serve individuals seeking help, relatives looking for guidance, intervention workers providing support and researchers studying mental health patterns. Since Manu is a web based experience, it had to remain accessible across devices and screen sizes while meeting strict privacy, accessibility and ethical requirements. Every interaction needed to feel clear, supportive and grounded in trust.
Design Approach
I conducted research to understand behavioural patterns around mental health support, focusing on how users seek help, disclose information and navigate moments of vulnerability. These insights shaped flows that remained simple, inclusive and non judging. We made strategic tradeoffs to keep conversational tools understandable while still respecting scientific protocols. Continuous collaboration with researchers ensured ethical compliance and helped shape an experience that felt safe and responsible.
Deliverables
The work included behavioural insights that informed the product direction, a complete UX architecture for the portal, detection tools, dashboards and chat, as well as detailed wireframes and flows for assessment, tracking and intervention. I then worked closely with the UI designer to ensure visual design decisions aligned seamlessly with the UX structure and supported the needs of all user groups.
Outcomes
The UX foundation enabled a trusted digital environment that connected users with relevant resources and intervention workers, while offering researchers an ethical and structured framework for studying behavioural patterns without compromising user safety.
Key Learnings
This project deepened my ability to design responsibly for sensitive contexts, balance scientific and ethical constraints with usability and prioritize emotional safety at every step of the user journey.