Motiv.
Prototype
My Role
UX/UI Designer
Graphic Designer
Project Manager
Programs
Adobe XD
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Timeline
Sept 23’ - May 24’
TLDR
Motiv is a mobile app designed to empower individuals with anxiety and depression by integrating the mental health benefits of physical activity. By delivering personalized workouts, empathetic guidance, and community support, Motiv helps users build resilience and sustainable healthy habits—transforming exercise into a practical tool for improved mental well-being.
Problem
Activity Eases Depression, but Many Still Remain Uninspired
Millions struggle with anxiety and depression, yet many remain unaware of how regular physical activity can significantly improve their mental well-being. Traditional fitness apps focus on performance, neglecting the emotional and motivational barriers that prevent people from getting started. How might we create a digital experience that not only informs but also empowers and motivates individuals with anxiety and depression to integrate movement into their daily lives?
Overview
Mental health and physical activity are deeply connected, yet traditional fitness apps focus on performance rather than the emotional barriers that prevent people from getting started. Many individuals struggling with anxiety and depression find it difficult to stay motivated or even know where to begin.
Motiv was designed to bridge this gap by combining personalized workouts, empathetic guidance, and community support to make exercise more approachable. Instead of pressuring users with performance-driven goals, Motiv fosters resilience, self-efficacy, and sustainable habits through an experience tailored to mental well-being.
This case study explores how research, user insights, and iterative design helped shape an experience that empowers users to take control of their mental and physical health—one step at a time.
Research phase
Understanding the Problem
Having several people close to me suffer from anxiety and depression, this issue remains close to my heart. To understand them I first had to validate this research was significant enough to build a product around.
Primary Research
Understanding the User
Persona Name
Amber
age
23
Education
Engineering Student at University
Location
Urban Area
Occupation
Part-time bar-back
Income level
Moderate to low disposable income
Persona Bio
Alex experiences mild anxiety & occasional depression, worsened by academic pressures & the pandemic. Her physical activity has declined, & she’s seeking non-medication ways to boost mental health. Active on Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit, she engages with mental health & wellness communities.
Frustrations
Lack of motivation: Finds it hard to take the first step toward regular exercise.
Overwhelming information: Online wellness tips feel too generic and not actionable.
Physical activity feels intimidating: Gym culture or running alone can seem unwelcoming and isolating.
Motivations
Science-backed insights: Wants to understand the direct impact of actions on mental health.
Social accountability: Being part of a community or having a virtual “buddy” keeps them engaged.
Small wins: Prefers quick, achievable goals that lead to a sense of accomplishment.
Goals
Improve mental/physical health
Create sustainable habits
Feel connected
Market Research
Where physical activity and mental health meet is a hole in the market for an app that can solve issues related to motivation, connection, and activity recommendation. The apps that do involve mental health don’t involve physical activity as a potential remedy.
Development
Hypothesis
We believe users that struggle with anxiety and depression may benefit from an app that changes behavior using social motivation, daily personalized recommendation, and useful information about how to improve.
Main Solution
Motiv is a supportive mobile app that helps users manage anxiety and depression through movement. By combining empathetic guidance with actionable motivation, it fosters resilience, self-efficacy, and lasting habits. Users receive personalized workouts, track progress, and connect with a supportive community, making exercise a sustainable tool for mental well-being.
Design Challenges
Mental health is difficult to talk about. How can we design empathetically as to not suggest this solution is the only solution for everyone?
What choices can we make to not overwhelm the user and add to their already difficult time?
How do we motivate the hardest demographic to motivate?
Solutions
Key Features
Branding
Motiv. in the Making
Logo Exploration
A logo mark was key to conveying the brand's essence, especially at app size. Drawing inspiration from social interaction, growth, and physical activity, I sketched 12 initial concepts guided by these keywords:
Meet Motiv.
Motiv. uses hues found in inviting and familiar environments to invoke emotions outside of the user. Depression requires hope for the future and motivation to move forward to dig ourselves out of a hole. These hues motivate and recall feelings of excitement but are used in ways that don't overwhelm.
Phthalo Green
#173B23
Outdoors
Tranquility
Prosperity
Yellow Green
#B9E84D
Young
Healthy
Natural
Mint
#EDF8F5
Healthcare
Tranquility
Prosperity
Canvas
#F4EFEA
Natural
Longevity
Calm
Crayola Orange
#ED784F
Enthusiasm
Excitement
Motivation
Fidelity process
Wireframing
Naturally with a health app there will be many metrics to decipher. The goal was to not overwhelm users with too many suggestions or graphs right away since being active is the main target. So, how do we create a homepage which offers value but remains pleasing to be on?
Hi-fidelity
Prototype
After collaborating with some colleagues on which layout would work best we arrived at the one that would inform a design system that fit the goal. It includes motivating imagery, texture overlays, solid color blocking and an approachable tone. Several solutions made the final cut and define the product as a multi-step approach to dampening depression and anxiety.
Widget
Stay close to your solution with relevant content on your homescreen.
Community
Tackle life's rough edges with your support group.
Calendar
A Clearer Mind Starts with a Structured Plan.
