OHM

App für gutes Streiten

OHM is the brainchild of a friend and professional mediator who recognized the need for people to resolve conflicts in a constructive and respectful way. The goal is to simplify mediation and make it accessible to a broader audience.

Stakeholder Interview

I began by interviewing the main stakeholder to clarify project goals and define the target audience. This helped sharpen the project’s focus and outline the scope for the MVP.

Paper Sketches

The stakeholder had documented standardized mediation steps in a long Excel spreadsheet. Together, we reviewed, reduced, and simplified these steps so that a mediator is no longer necessary for less complex conflicts. I also transformed the tone of voice to be warmer, more relatable, and conversational, moving away from a technical approach.

Card Sorting Workshop

Once the mediation process was restructured into clear, step-by-step instructions, I facilitated a card sorting workshop. This exercise was key in shaping the app’s navigation and information architecture.

Prototyping

Initial wireframes and prototypes were created in Figma. I later switched to Protopie for a more realistic feel, allowing features like personalized user names and animated timers to be integrated into the experience.

User Testing

To quickly validate the concept, I moved straight into wireframing and tested the prototype with couples. They were asked to select a light conflict and record themselves using the app in a private setting, ensuring comfort and authenticity. Afterward, participants completed a feedback questionnaire.

Key Findings

Device Sharing Dynamics: Sharing one phone created a subtle power imbalance, as the phone owner often took control. This was less pronounced on desktop devices. Despite this, we chose not to support individual devices to preserve the goal of collaboration and avoid complex synchronization issues.
Turn-Taking Clarity: The mediation process relies on clear turn-taking. Users needed more visual cues to understand whose turn it was to speak or listen.

UI Design and final implementation

I integrated these insights into updated wireframes and researched layout options. I explored gaming apps to see how they handle turn-taking, progress bars, and gamification—like flash card interactions. I handed off these findings to Marina, a UI designer, who completed the final design and delivered it to our developer.

Next Steps

We are still in the early testing phase, with plans to introduce features like user accounts, group mediation, and a paid plan. Since this is a passion project done in our free time, progress has been gradual. However, we are proud of what we’ve achieved and excited about the future.

Have a conflict to resolve with a loved one? Check out the OHM website and give it a try!