Desirable design: What aesthetics are important to young people when designing a mental health app?

Smartphone apps can be highly effective in supporting young people experiencing mood disorders, but an appealing visual design is a key predictor of engagement with such apps. However, there has been little research about the interaction between visual design, mood and wellbeing in young people using a mental health app. This study aimed to explore young people's perspectives on colour and visual design in the development of a music-based app for mood management. Workshops were conducted with 24 participants (aged 13-25 years) with data analysis following a general inductive approach. Results indicated that colour could impact wellbeing in both positive and negative ways. Participants favoured a subtle use of colour within sophisticated, dark palettes and were influenced by a complex interplay of common semiotic values, experiences with other apps, and mood. These findings highlight the highly contextual nature of the relationship between colour and mood, emphasising the importance of co-design in app development.