Location
Edmonds, WA
Role
Product Designer
Platform
Mobile App
Catecory
Health & Wellness
Timeline
Jan 2026 - Feb 2026
Problem
Many habit‑tracking apps rely on rigid systems, aggressive reminders, and gamified reward loops. For neurodivergent users and older adults, these patterns often create:
cognitive overload
emotional fatigue
confusing onboarding
sensory overstimulation
inconsistent engagement
DailyCare needed a calmer, simpler, more predictable experience that helped users stay consistent without pressure or complexity.
Users
Eleanor manages diabetes and hydration goals. She prefers gentle reminders, minimal onboarding, and clear visual structure. Reward‑heavy apps feel exhausting, and she often abandons them after a few days. DailyCare’s redesign centers her needs.
Contraints & Challenges
Balance motivation with simplicity
Avoid gamification overload
Prevent notification fatigue
Reduce steps without sacrificing clarity
Design for neurodivergent and older adults simultaneously
Maintain WCAG accessibility standards
Keep visuals calm and low‑stimulation
Research Insights
Through user interviews and competitive analysis, several themes emerged:
Rigid tracking systems felt overwhelming
Reward‑heavy apps created emotional burnout
Users preferred lightweight reminders over accountability pressure
Simplified onboarding increased willingness to continue setup
Clear visual structure improved comprehension and confidence
These insights shaped every design decision.
Process
Research & Analysis
I interviewed five users to identify motivation drop‑off points and analyzed competing health apps to understand retention patterns, notification timing, and onboarding friction.
Information Architecture
I reorganized the habit setup, daily logging, and weekly recap flows. Onboarding was reduced from five screens to three, focusing on intuitive navigation and immediate feedback.
Wireframing & Prototyping
I created low‑fidelity wireframes to test different habit input methods, then iterated based on user feedback. High‑fidelity prototypes introduced color‑coded progress rings, simplified habit cards, and a calmer visual hierarchy.
Usability Testing
Remote prototype sessions revealed improved comprehension of streaks, faster daily check‑ins, and increased confidence in managing wellness habits.
Key Design Decisions
Soft gradients and rounded components to reduce cognitive load
Gentle progress indicators instead of gamified rewards
Clear hierarchy in onboarding choices
Lightweight habit creation with minimal steps
Predictable daily check‑in flow
Accessible color contrast and typography
These choices created a calmer, more supportive experience.
Before & After Improvements
Before
Confusing plan hierarchy
Overwhelming onboarding
Too many screens
Reward‑heavy motivation
Rigid habit setup
After
Clear visual hierarchy
Simplified onboarding
Fewer screens
Gentle motivation
Accessible habit setup
The redesign made DailyCare feel more intuitive and emotionally sustainable.
Results
The redesign improved:
Progress clarity - users understood streaks at a glance
Daily engagement - check‑ins felt faster and more rewarding
Onboarding comprehension - reduced confusion during setup
User confidence - testers felt more in control of their wellness habits
Early prototype testing showed a more intuitive flow and increased willingness to maintain daily habits.
Conclusion
DailyCare strengthened user engagement and helped people feel more in control of their wellness journey. By combining data‑driven simplicity with gentle visual motivation, the app now supports long‑term consistency without overwhelming users. Through this project, I deepened my understanding of behavioral design, accessibility, and creating calm, supportive experiences for health‑focused users.