CHECK MATE
This project explores men’s emotional awareness before help-seeking in Glasgow. Research identified an earlier barrier: some men know something feels “off” but struggle to identify or describe what they are experiencing. Focusing on Male Normative Alexithymia (Levant, 1992), the project explores how design might support emotional recognition before formal help-seeking begins.
CHECK MATE is a low-barrier, de-pathologised and self-directed service combining a pocket-sized physical toolkit with a lightweight digital experience. Designed for familiar settings such as football clubs, pubs and community spaces, it helps men notice bodily signals, describe experiences, identify emotions and recognise patterns over time — encouraging greater awareness of their own emotional states.
Applying the Double Diamond (Design Council, 2004) framework as a guiding tool throughout the CHECK MATE project, providing a structured approach to design thinking.
Why I began this topic as a female - my motivation.
Final Prototype showcase: a self-guided toolkit that embeded into daily life for men's emtional awareness.
Engagement Session & Co-Create & Test Session with Men Matter.
Composition & Structure: Inner page
Composition & Structure: Inner page
The lightweight digital system, offering the patterns of recording and tracking.
The future service storytelling in a Storyboard.
Service Blueprinting.