innermap: mindfulness app
The goal of this project was to design the user experience, interface, and branding for Innermap, a mindfulness app that empowers users to integrate mindfulness practices into their everyday lives.
The Challenge
The challenge was to design an app that both felt calming and inspiring while also offering the practical tools users need to stay consistent with their mindfulness practice. The design had to be simple, intuitive, and visually inviting, with features that promoted engagement without overwhelming users. It was essential that the app’s experience felt accessible to a wide range of users, from mindfulness beginners to seasoned practitioners.
Research
Thorough research was conducted to understand the needs and preferences of the target audience. This included a competitive analysis of existing mindfulness apps, identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in the market. By evaluating what worked well in other apps and where they fell short, we were able to uncover gaps that Innermap could fill, particularly around personalization, ease of use, and ongoing engagement. The insights from this research helped guide both the user experience and feature design, ensuring the app would resonate with its audience and fill a need in the marketplace.
Ideation
With research insights in hand, I mapped the user journey and defined the key features that would make the app both functional and engaging. I created wireframes and prototypes to visualize the core functionality: easy navigation between mindfulness practices, progress tracking, and personalized recommendations. I worked to ensure the app’s user flows were intuitive, minimizing friction and making it easy for users to engage with the content regularly.
Design
For the design, I focused on creating a clean, modern interface that emphasized clarity and simplicity. The visual design was centered around creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere that would encourage users to return daily. I chose soft, playful colors and simple, minimalistic icons and illustrations to support mindfulness without distracting from the experience. The branding was key in this process: the logo, typography, and overall style guide were crafted to convey a sense of serenity and focus, ensuring the app felt inviting and approachable. Once the design was validated with early feedback, I moved on to high-fidelity mockups and polished prototypes to ensure the app’s design would function smoothly across various devices.
Testing and Iteration
Iterative testing and refinement were crucial throughout the design process. This included alpha and beta testing to gather user feedback and iterate on the design based on their insights. These testing phases allowed me to observe how users interacted with the app and identify any pain points or areas for improvement. Feedback from these sessions led to key adjustments, such as refining the navigation flow, simplifying certain features, and improving the app’s overall usability. This iterative approach ensured that the final design would be well-suited to the needs of its users and aligned with the founders' vision.
Key Learnings
– Combining branding and UX design is crucial for creating an experience that feels both visually appealing and functional.
– Personalization in mindfulness apps can be a powerful motivator for user engagement and long-term habit formation.
– Iterative design and user testing are vital for ensuring that an app feels approachable and delivers real value to its users.
Conclusion
Working on Innermap allowed me to merge my design expertise with my passion for creating meaningful, user-centered experiences. Designing an app that helps users live more mindfully, and the process of balancing aesthetics with functionality deepened my understanding of how branding and UX/UI design work together to create impactful products.
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For more of my work: jenngodoy.design