Mental Wellness App for Southeast Asia
Mental Wellness App for Southeast Asia
Mental Wellness App for Southeast Asia
Role
Role
Role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
6 Weeks
6 Weeks
Type
Type
Type
Personal Project
Personal Project
Tools
Tools
Tools
Figma
Notion
Tally
Figma·Notion·Tally
Figma·Notion·Tally
The Challenge
The Challenge
The Challenge
Young adults in Southeast Asia face growing mental health challenges, but most wellness apps are not designed for their cultural and emotional realities.
Young adults in Southeast Asia face growing mental health challenges, but most wellness apps are not designed for their cultural and emotional realities.
Young adults in Southeast Asia face growing mental health challenges, but most wellness apps are not designed for their cultural and emotional realities.
Design Question
Design Question
Design Question
How might we design a low friction wellness experience that provides immediate value without requiring high commitment during emotional distress?
How might we design a low friction wellness experience that provides immediate value without requiring high commitment during emotional distress?
How might we design a low friction wellness experience that provides immediate value without requiring high commitment during emotional distress?
User Interviews
User Interviews
Confirmed preference for anonymous peer support over clinical framing.
Confirmed preference for anonymous peer support over clinical framing.
Confirmed preference for anonymous peer support over clinical framing.
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Found Western mental health apps lacked cultural tone and localization for SEA.
Found Western mental health apps lacked cultural tone and localization for SEA.
Found Western mental health apps lacked cultural tone and localization for SEA.
User Survey
User Survey
70 percent of respondents found existing wellness apps overwhelming or too time intensive for daily use.
70 percent of respondents found existing wellness apps overwhelming or too time intensive for daily use.
70 percent of respondents found existing wellness apps overwhelming or too time intensive for daily use.
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Regional reports showed a shortage of accessible mental health professionals.
Regional reports showed a shortage of accessible mental health professionals.
Regional reports showed a shortage of accessible mental health professionals.
From Data to Strategy
From Data to Strategy
From Data to Strategy
Research revealed a core tension. Users needed support, but avoided products that felt clinical or visible. This led to a focus on anonymity, fast interactions, and culturally aligned tone.
Research revealed a core tension. Users needed support, but avoided products that felt clinical or visible. This led to a focus on anonymity, fast interactions, and culturally aligned tone.
Research revealed a core tension. Users needed support, but avoided products that felt clinical or visible. This led to a focus on anonymity, fast interactions, and culturally aligned tone.
Problems to Opportunities
Problems to Opportunities
Problems to Opportunities
Stigma and fear of judgment when seeking help
Stigma and fear of judgment when seeking help
Stigma and fear of judgment when seeking help
Privacy first experiences using anonymous identifiers
Privacy first experiences using anonymous identifiers
Privacy first experiences using anonymous identifiers
Global apps feel culturally alien or irrelevant
Global apps feel culturally alien or irrelevant
Global apps feel culturally alien or irrelevant
Language and tone to align with SEA social norms
Language and tone to align with SEA social norms
Language and tone to align with SEA social norms
Interfaces feel overwhelming during emotional distress
Interfaces feel overwhelming during emotional distress
Interfaces feel overwhelming during emotional distress
Micro-interactions under five minutes of effort
Micro-interactions under five minutes of effort
Micro-interactions under five minutes of effort
Difficulty maintaining wellness habits over time
Difficulty maintaining wellness habits over time
Difficulty maintaining wellness habits over time
Low-friction rituals with immediate visual feedback
Low-friction rituals with immediate visual feedback
Low-friction rituals with immediate visual feedback
Defining the MVP
Defining the MVP
Defining the MVP
I prioritized the MVP using an Impact vs. Effort matrix to address three core research barriers: anonymity, speed, and cultural trust.
I prioritized the MVP using an Impact vs. Effort matrix to address three core research barriers: anonymity, speed, and cultural trust.
I prioritized the MVP using an Impact vs. Effort matrix to address three core research barriers: anonymity, speed, and cultural trust.
Daily Mood Check-In
10-second emoji ritual to build self-awareness with minimal effort.
Daily Mood Check-In
10-second emoji ritual to build self-awareness with minimal effort.
Daily Mood Check-In
10-second emoji ritual to build self-awareness with minimal effort.
Mindful Moments
3-5 minute exercises for immediate relief and grounding.
Mindful Moments
3-5 minute exercises for immediate relief and grounding.
Mindful Moments
3-5 minute exercises for immediate relief and grounding.
Anonymous Community
Topic-based spaces to connect via shared struggle, not identity.
Anonymous Community
Topic-based spaces to connect via shared struggle, not identity.
Anonymous Community
Topic-based spaces to connect via shared struggle, not identity.
Progress Tracking
Weekly mood patterns that encourage consistency without pressure.
Progress Tracking
Weekly mood patterns that encourage consistency without pressure.
Progress Tracking
Weekly mood patterns that encourage consistency without pressure.
Crisis Support
Immediate access to local hotlines for high-risk situations.
Crisis Support
Immediate access to local hotlines for high-risk situations.
Crisis Support
Immediate access to local hotlines for high-risk situations.
Reflection Space
Private journaling with prompts to process emotions over time.
Reflection Space
Private journaling with prompts to process emotions over time.
Reflection Space
Private journaling with prompts to process emotions over time.
What I Chose Not to Build (and Why)
What I Chose Not to Build (and Why)
What I Chose Not to Build (and Why)
AI-powered mood prediction
High technical risk and potential to damage user trust in a sensitive context.
AI-powered mood prediction
High technical risk and potential to damage user trust in a sensitive context.
AI-powered mood prediction
High technical risk and potential to damage user trust in a sensitive context.
In-app therapy booking
High backend effort; prioritized immediate self-care tools for the MVP scope.
In-app therapy booking
High backend effort; prioritized immediate self-care tools for the MVP scope.
In-app therapy booking
High backend effort; prioritized immediate self-care tools for the MVP scope.
Extensive gamification
Prioritized authentic reflection over badges to maintain a respectful, calm tone.
Extensive gamification
Prioritized authentic reflection over badges to maintain a respectful, calm tone.
Extensive gamification
Prioritized authentic reflection over badges to maintain a respectful, calm tone.
Wireframes: Testing Structure
Wireframes: Testing Structure
Wireframes: Testing Structure
Low fidelity wireframes used to validate structure, hierarchy, and flow before visual design.
Low fidelity wireframes used to validate structure, hierarchy, and flow before visual design.
Low fidelity wireframes used to validate structure, hierarchy, and flow before visual design.
Structural decisions validated
Structural decisions validated
Structural decisions validated
Low friction entry: Emoji based inputs reduced early cognitive load compared to text heavy forms.
Privacy first onboarding order: Anonymity selection moved to the first step to establish trust and reduce early drop off.
Calm information hierarchy: Card based layouts chosen over dense lists to prevent clinical overload.
Low friction entry: Emoji based inputs reduced early cognitive load compared to text heavy forms.
Privacy first onboarding order: Anonymity selection moved to the first step to establish trust and reduce early drop off.
Calm information hierarchy: Card based layouts chosen over dense lists to prevent clinical overload.
Low friction entry: Emoji based inputs reduced early cognitive load compared to text heavy forms.
Privacy first onboarding order: Anonymity selection moved to the first step to establish trust and reduce early drop off.
Calm information hierarchy: Card based layouts chosen over dense lists to prevent clinical overload.
Visual Identity for Emotional Safety
Visual Identity for Emotional Safety
Visual Identity for Emotional Safety
Southeast Asian users associate clinical aesthetics with 'being a patient.' I used natural, earth-toned colors to position MindLink as a lifestyle companion, not a medical tool.
Southeast Asian users associate clinical aesthetics with 'being a patient.' I used natural, earth-toned colors to position MindLink as a lifestyle companion, not a medical tool.
Color System
Typography
Cards & Iconography
Color System
Typography
Cards & Iconography
Color System
Typography
Cards & Iconography
Key product journeys
Key product journeys
Key product journeys
Daily Mood Check-In
Daily Mood Check-In
Daily Mood Check-In
A fast emotional input designed for consistency during high stress moments.
A fast emotional input designed for consistency during high stress moments.
A fast emotional input designed for consistency during high stress moments.
Design Intent
Design Intent
Design Intent
Entry point optimized for sub 5 second completion.
Emoji based input to avoid language friction during distress.
Follow up prompts adapt to emotional state, not static flows.
Entry point optimized for sub 5 second completion.
Emoji based input to avoid language friction during distress.
Follow up prompts adapt to emotional state, not static flows.
Entry point optimized for sub 5 second completion.
Emoji based input to avoid language friction during distress.
Follow up prompts adapt to emotional state, not static flows.
Why it matters
Why it matters
Why it matters
Reduces drop off in daily tracking.
Builds habit consistency without forced reflection.
Increases user confidence through context aware responses.
Reduces drop off in daily tracking.
Builds habit consistency without forced reflection.
Increases user confidence through context aware responses.
Reduces drop off in daily tracking.
Builds habit consistency without forced reflection.
Increases user confidence through context aware responses.
Anonymous community participation
Anonymous community participation
Anonymous community participation
Low risk social connection without public exposure.
Low risk social connection without public exposure.
Low risk social connection without public exposure.
Design Intent
Design Intent
Design Intent
Anonymous first participation to reduce identity pressure.
Topic based rooms to keep support relevant and contained.
Low effort reactions to enable participation without posting.
Anonymous first participation to reduce identity pressure.
Topic based rooms to keep support relevant and contained.
Low effort reactions to enable participation without posting.
Anonymous first participation to reduce identity pressure.
Topic based rooms to keep support relevant and contained.
Low effort reactions to enable participation without posting.
Why it matters
Why it matters
Why it matters
Reduces participation anxiety in social spaces.
Increases early engagement without forcing visibility.
Maintains safety through clear moderation signals.
Reduces participation anxiety in social spaces.
Increases early engagement without forcing visibility.
Maintains safety through clear moderation signals.
Reduces participation anxiety in social spaces.
Increases early engagement without forcing visibility.
Maintains safety through clear moderation signals.
Mindful Moments
Mindful Moments
Mindful Moments
Immediate relief for high stress moments with limited time.
Immediate relief for high stress moments with limited time.
Immediate relief for high stress moments with limited time.
Design Intent
Design Intent
One tap entry to enable immediate stress relief.
Focus selection based on the user’s current need.
Short sessions designed to tolerate interruptions.
One tap entry to enable immediate stress relief.
Focus selection based on the user’s current need.
Short sessions designed to tolerate interruptions.
One tap entry to enable immediate stress relief.
Focus selection based on the user’s current need.
Short sessions designed to tolerate interruptions.
Why it matters
Why it matters
Why it matters
Fits into 3 to 5 minute windows during high stress moments.
Removes pressure to complete or finish sessions.
Reduces tracking effort through automatic session logging.
Fits into 3 to 5 minute windows during high stress moments.
Removes pressure to complete or finish sessions.
Reduces tracking effort through automatic session logging.
Fits into 3 to 5 minute windows during high stress moments.
Removes pressure to complete or finish sessions.
Reduces tracking effort through automatic session logging.
Onboarding designed for trust
Onboarding designed for trust
Onboarding designed for trust
Gradual identity reveal before personal data collection.
Gradual identity reveal before personal data collection.
Gradual identity reveal before personal data collection.
Resources and History
Resources and History
Resources and History
Clear pathways to crisis support and personal insight.
Clear pathways to crisis support and personal insight.
Clear pathways to crisis support and personal insight.
Interaction Deep Dive
Interaction Deep Dive
Interaction Deep Dive
Mood check in feedback loop
Mood check in feedback loop
Mood check in feedback loop
Interaction decisions
Interaction decisions
Interaction decisions
Pacing tuned to slow transitions during high stress moments.
Micro feedback confirms input without urgency.
Follow up responses adapt to selected emotion.
Pacing tuned to slow transitions during high stress moments.
Micro feedback confirms input without urgency.
Follow up responses adapt to selected emotion.
Pacing tuned to slow transitions during high stress moments.
Micro feedback confirms input without urgency.
Follow up responses adapt to selected emotion.
Why prototyping mattered
Why prototyping mattered
Why prototyping mattered
Revealed timing issues not visible in static screens.
Helped calibrate motion to avoid rushed or clinical feel.
Validated interaction flow under real tap behavior.
Revealed timing issues not visible in static screens.
Helped calibrate motion to avoid rushed or clinical feel.
Validated interaction flow under real tap behavior.
Revealed timing issues not visible in static screens.
Helped calibrate motion to avoid rushed or clinical feel.
Validated interaction flow under real tap behavior.
Designing for Impact
Designing for Impact
Designing for Impact
Note: Impact ranges are projected based on industry benchmarks and validated usability testing.
Note: Impact ranges are projected based on industry benchmarks and validated usability testing.
Note: Impact ranges are projected based on industry benchmarks and validated usability testing.
25–35%
Higher Day 1 Activation
A sub 10 second mood check reduces early friction and encourages first session completion.
Success Metric
Completion rate of the first mood check.
25–35%
Higher Day 1 Activation
A sub 10 second mood check reduces early friction and encourages first session completion.
Success Metric
Completion rate of the first mood check.
25–35%
Higher Day 1 Activation
A sub 10 second mood check reduces early friction and encourages first session completion.
Success Metric
Completion rate of the first mood check.
20–30%
Lower Early Abandonment
Privacy first participation builds early trust and reduces drop off in the first week.
Success Metric
Retention through the first seven days.
20–30%
Lower Early Abandonment
Privacy first participation builds early trust and reduces drop off in the first week.
Success Metric
Retention through the first seven days.
20–30%
Lower Early Abandonment
Privacy first participation builds early trust and reduces drop off in the first week.
Success Metric
Retention through the first seven days.
10–15%
Reduced Reliance
Micro interventions help users regulate stress earlier, reducing high urgency escalation.
Success Metric
Rate of high urgency resource access after interventions.
10–15%
Reduced Reliance
Micro interventions help users regulate stress earlier, reducing high urgency escalation.
Success Metric
Rate of high urgency resource access after interventions.
10–15%
Reduced Reliance
If users can regulate daily stress through short self-guided interventions, fewer moments escalate to immediate professional support needs.
Expected Impact
reduction in unnecessary escalation while maintaining coping outcomes.
10–15%
Reduced Reliance
If users can regulate daily stress through short self-guided interventions, fewer moments escalate to immediate professional support needs.
Expected Impact
reduction in unnecessary escalation while maintaining coping outcomes.
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Designing for mental health requires prioritizing emotional safety, trust, and restraint over feature density or engagement pressure.
Designing for mental health requires prioritizing emotional safety, trust, and restraint over feature density or engagement pressure.
Designing for mental health requires prioritizing emotional safety, trust, and restraint over feature density or engagement pressure.
What I’d do differently
What I’d do differently
What I’d do differently
Extend validation into non English speaking contexts and test trust signals over longer usage periods.
Extend validation into non English speaking contexts and test trust signals over longer usage periods.
Extend validation into non English speaking contexts and test trust signals over longer usage periods.
This case study reflects a conceptual project created for portfolio purposes.
This case study reflects a conceptual project created for portfolio purposes.
This case study reflects a conceptual project created for portfolio purposes.
