Case Study: Ecoa.me — Corporate Emotional Safety Infrastructure

Role: Lead Product Designer. Focus: Strategic Design, UX Research, Privacy by Design, and Regulatory Compliance (NR-01).

1. The Challenge: Bridging the Silence in Corporate Mental Health

The mental health landscape in Brazil reached a critical point in 2024, with a record 472,000 work leaves, a 68% increase compared to 2023. Research indicated that the most severe situations—such as domestic violence, harassment, and discrimination—rarely reach HR departments because employees fear retaliation or lack a safe, trusted channel.

Furthermore, the NR-01 regulation (effective May 2026) now mandates that all Brazilian companies actively manage psychosocial risks as part of their Risk Management Programs (PGR). Existing "wellness" solutions, like meditation apps or individual therapy, were identified as reactive and insufficient because they focus on individual symptoms rather than the structural causes of distress in the workplace.

2. UX Research & Scientific Foundation

As a Senior Product Designer, the process began with deep academic and social research rather than interface design.

Society-Centered Design (SCD): The product was built on SCD principles, which shift the unit of attention from the "individual user" to the social conditions they inhabit.

Integrative Review: I conducted a review of evidence regarding the mental health of single mothers and work precarity in Brazil. The findings showed that support networks function as essential protective infrastructure for mental health.

Archetype Insight: We identified our primary operational users as often earning between 1 to 3 minimum wages, with lower levels of education and digital literacy. This dictated a need for extremely simplified UX and language.

3. Product Evolution & Strategy

The product evolved from a "wellness benefit" into a robust compliance and safety infrastructure.

Outcome-Driven Design: We repositioned the narrative to focus on outcomes (preventing crises and legal liabilities) rather than just features (anonymous support).

Modular Architecture: I designed an ecosystem with four tiers—Essential, Performance, Pro, and Compliance—to meet companies at different levels of maturity, integrating clinical audits and full support for the new regulatory requirements.

4. The Solution: Design & UX

A. Privacy by Design & Technical Anonymity

The core UX differentiator is irreversible anonymity through architecture, not just a policy promise.

Token-Based Access: Users login via a unique 6-digit token generated by HR, with no link to their name, ID (CPF), or email within our platform.

Security-First UI: To protect users in high-risk environments, the design includes a disguised version (hidden UI) of the app to prevent discovery on shared or monitored devices.

B. Core Features for Care

Emotional Check-in: A daily flow to monitor mood and detect early warning signs of burnout or violence via Ethical AI.

SOS Button & Circle of Care: A shortcut for immediate emergencies (e.g., ongoing violence or suicidal crisis) that alerts pre-configured trusted contacts.

Human Connection: Access to specialized counselors for active listening and stabilization in under 3 minutes.

C. Ethical Management Dashboard

The UI challenge was to display high-value data without ever identifying the individual.

Aggregated Insights: HR views an average emotional score, predominant emotions, and a weekly heatmap to identify when and where risks concentrate.

AI Priority Cards: The system highlights patterns (e.g., "High anxiety at 6 PM on Tuesdays") to guide preventive interventions like workshops or schedule adjustments.

5. Impact & Business Results

The solution was designed to deliver tangible organizational value:

Efficiency: A targeted 30% reduction in absenteeism and a 20% reduction in turnover.

ROI: An estimated 2.3x return on investment within the first year.

Compliance: Automatic generation of technical evidence for 4 out of 6 central requirements of NR-01.

6. Design System & Visual Identity

Color Palette: Use of primary purple (#7C3AED) and soft support colors to convey calm, trust, and professional safety.

Illustration vs. Photography: A strict directive to use illustrations to represent vulnerability, avoiding the stigma of associating real people with trauma or suffering in corporate materials.

This case demonstrates the ability to merge visual design, academic research, and business strategy to solve a complex and urgent social problem in the Brazilian corporate market.