Designed an inclusive content-screening app concept that empowers users to avoid upsetting media through customizable triggers and a friendly ‘turtle scale.’
Problem
Watching media can be difficult for audiences who want to avoid specific upsetting themes. While websites like doesthedogdie.com exist, there is no convenient, mobile-friendly app that allows users to easily screen for content before viewing — particularly in theaters, where skipping or pausing isn’t possible.
This gap became personal for me after the murder of a close friend, when I found myself unable to engage with certain stories. I wanted to design a tool that could provide support and autonomy — for myself and others navigating similar challenges.
Solution
mrtle is a work-in-progress application that allows users to:
- Customize their triggers and receive alerts on which appear in a given title.
- Use the “Turtle Scale”, a friendly visual system that indicates levels of upsetting content.
- Choose their depth of detail, from simple “yes/no” confirmation to timestamped scene descriptions.
- Engage socially, with features for adding friends, sharing reviews, and planning group “movie nights” that cross-reference triggers across multiple users.
Design Process
1. Brand Identity
Goal: Friendly and approachable without being condescending.
Challenge: Reclaim the language around “triggers,” which has often been misused to belittle sensitivity.
Solution: Friendly, engaging typography paired with a cheerful turtle mascot to reinforce support and inclusivity.
2. Visual Explorations
- Early logo sketches and initial turtle character concepts.
- Color and typography studies to balance friendliness with design polish.
3. Information Architecture
- Sitemap outlining key user flows: content search, trigger customization, reviews, social features, and recommendations.
- Prioritized features that directly empower users to decide what to watch and how much detail to see.
4. UI & Prototyping
- Figma mockups of early screens, including trigger settings, title search, review submission, and “movie night” functionality.
- Early prototypes demonstrate user autonomy and simple, clear navigation.
Outcome
While still a work in progress, mrtle demonstrates how thoughtful design can support well-being, create community, and help users feel safer and more in control of their viewing experience. The early concepts — identity system, turtle scale, sitemap, and prototypes — establish a foundation for future development and refinement.
Next Steps
- Expand high-fidelity prototypes into a functional prototype.
- Conduct usability testing to validate flows and adjust language or iconography.
- Explore community features to strengthen user engagement and sustainability.