Speaking From Experience - Design Development

The final design was kept as minimum as possible for the ease of the audience so that it would be easier to read and non-distracting. Having anxiety is stressful enough; The simplistic design came from the idea that when anxiety strikes, you wouldn't want to refer to something that is overpowering or too much as it can make you more anxious. The designs were made by using Illustrator that were based on the sketches. The designs are segregated into two different sections of different situations. Having the design organised for 'Public Spaces' and 'Home' means that when someone is feeling anxious, they can automatically relate to the situation they're currently in. This is much more useful as it is easier to find ways to cope which will reduce the anxiety quicker rather than having them all together in one. There were 5 suggestions for each situation. Again, the design is intended to make the situation less stressful for the user so limiting it to 5 suggestions would be easier to absorb. There is also a box on either side that allows the user to input other methods that would help them with their anxiety. The language used is intended to be quite humorous and uplifting as it was intended to make the user feel more at ease so the user knows that the situation doesn't have to dull. The back of the pocketbook will have the 'Doodle pad' section. When you get distracted from your thoughts, it can really calm down your anxiety as you are no longer thinking about the issue. This is why the 'Doodle pad' will be suitable as they can divert their mind to something else.

'Bodoni 72 Book' was used as the typeface for the design as it reminds me of the typeface used on many self-help books which made it look more suitable for an anxiety booklet. A serif typeface was something that I had thought of first as serif typefaces look more informative and formal which makes it appear more of a genuine help guide. This also tied in with the clean, modernist design of the pocketbook. 

This is an idea of the possible size of the pocketbook. The original idea was to have the design at A6 size when unfolded, which meant that it would be A7 either side. Although the size is very handy and more travel-friendly, the type size are looks extremely small and is barely readable which would be pointless. The next size up was to have it at A5 when unfolded so A6 when folded. This would be the most suitable size as you can read the information clearly and the user would be able to write/drawn onto the pocketbook. The size is still quite small and would fit as a pocketbook.