Sundial
AI Solution for Sub-metabolic Health
#mobile-app-design
#ai-for-wellness
#productivity
Team
Timeline
Development from Feb-Jun 2024
Achievement
Project nominated for UX Design Award in Jul 2024
The problem
Nearly 90% of U.S. residents suffer from suboptimal metabolic health due to a lack of effective planning and action in their wellness routines.
The solution
An effective wellness planner that offers an engaging, effortless, and humane interactive experience powered by generative AI, reactive AI and hybrid AI.
My responsibilities
Led feature development, UX design and prototyping, AI research, visual design, and project management. Worked on design research, user testing and business analysis.
Sundial
AI Solution for Sub-metabolic Health
#mobile-app-design
#ai-for-wellness
#productivity
Team
Timeline
Development from Feb-Jun 2024
Achievement
Project nominated for UX Design Award in Jul 2024
The problem
Nearly 90% of U.S. residents suffer from suboptimal metabolic health due to a lack of effective planning and action in their wellness routines.
The solution
An effective wellness planner that offers an engaging, effortless, and humane interactive experience powered by generative AI, reactive AI and hybrid AI.
My responsibilities
Led feature development, UX design and prototyping, AI research, visual design, and project management. Worked on design research, user testing and business analysis.
User Research
Low-activeness is a common sign of suboptimal health
If you are reading this, you might be "unhealthy"!
Studies show that approximately 7 in 8 people in the U.S. are considered to have suboptimal health conditions, increasing their risk of cardiovascular illness. This alarming statistic captured our attention and motivated the team to invest in the health and wellness domain.
The Burnout: too caring about their wellness, too exhausted to make plans
After gathering over 110 survey responses and conducting 12 in-depth interviews from participants of various cultural background, occupation, age, and gender, we accumulated sufficient data to develop a general user profile. We named this archetype "The Burnout" to encapsulate the needs and goals typical of this user group.
Insights from primary user research:
1
Users value emotional influence from others
The Burnouts are individuals who rely on social awareness. While maintaining good health is a personal responsibility, many find motivation through positive emotional reinforcement from peers or wellness planning services.
2
Users struggle with time and effort keeping wellness routines
Because of the nature of their lifestyles, The Burnouts often find their time consumed by work and chores, leaving them unable to focus or commit the time and energy needed to establish a regular exercise routine.
3
Wellness planners are not flexible and personalized enough
Although many of The Burnouts have tried using apps or workout planning methods, they often complain that these tools fail to provide a positive experience that fosters consistent habits. The services tend to feel dull and generic, making it difficult for users to stay engaged.
User Research
Low-activeness is a common sign of suboptimal health
If you are reading this, you might be "unhealthy"!
Studies show that approximately 7 in 8 people in the U.S. are considered to have suboptimal health conditions, increasing their risk of cardiovascular illness. This alarming statistic captured our attention and motivated the team to invest in the health and wellness domain.
The Burnout: too caring about their wellness, too exhausted to make plans
After gathering over 110 survey responses and conducting 12 in-depth interviews from participants of various cultural background, occupation, age, and gender, we accumulated sufficient data to develop a general user profile. We named this archetype "The Burnout" to encapsulate the needs and goals typical of this user group.
Insights from primary user research:
1
Users value emotional influence from others
The Burnouts are individuals who rely on social awareness. While maintaining good health is a personal responsibility, many find motivation through positive emotional reinforcement from peers or wellness planning services.
2
Users struggle with time and effort keeping wellness routines
Because of the nature of their lifestyles, The Burnouts often find their time consumed by work and chores, leaving them unable to focus or commit the time and energy needed to establish a regular exercise routine.
3
Wellness planners are not flexible and personalized enough
Although many of The Burnouts have tried using apps or workout planning methods, they often complain that these tools fail to provide a positive experience that fosters consistent habits. The services tend to feel dull and generic, making it difficult for users to stay engaged.
Objectives
Defining core values we bring into healthy lifestyles
Turning research insights into design objectives
Our design should have clear objectives that address the primary user problems identified in the previous step. We synthesized these into three key objectives for the feature design, aiming to provide an effective solution.
Core design objectives:
1
Establishing a humane approach
Removing the perception of wellness planners as rigid and impersonal, often seen in competitor products, was a key focus for us. Our goal is to approach users with a motivating and warm tone, encouraging an inner drive rather than relying on forceful or pressure-based tactics.
2
Offering an effortless experience
One of the biggest pain points is that interacting with the planner itself often prevents users from fully enjoying its wellness benefits. By simplifying daily interactions, we aim to deliver more consistent value and enhance the overall user experience.
3
Sustaining an engaging course
Not one enjoys repetitive and generic regimen. To achieve a higher retention rate in a field where most competitors focus solely on functionality, our goal is to create an engaging mechanism that keeps users invested by helping them cultivate self-driven healthy habits.
Objectives
Defining core values we bring into healthy lifestyles
Turning research insights into design objectives
Our design should have clear objectives that address the primary user problems identified in the previous step. We synthesized these into three key objectives for the feature design, aiming to provide an effective solution.
Core design objectives:
1
Establishing a humane approach
Removing the perception of wellness planners as rigid and impersonal, often seen in competitor products, was a key focus for us. Our goal is to approach users with a motivating and warm tone, encouraging an inner drive rather than relying on forceful or pressure-based tactics.
2
Offering an effortless experience
One of the biggest pain points is that interacting with the planner itself often prevents users from fully enjoying its wellness benefits. By simplifying daily interactions, we aim to deliver more consistent value and enhance the overall user experience.
3
Sustaining an engaging course
Not one enjoys repetitive and generic regimen. To achieve a higher retention rate in a field where most competitors focus solely on functionality, our goal is to create an engaging mechanism that keeps users invested by helping them cultivate self-driven healthy habits.
Development
Matching objectives with potential feature opportunities
Guided by secondary research, the team framed a Blue Ocean map to study high-impact functions of our top competitors. This helped us visualize where our product could carve out a niche without directly competing, offering greater growth potential in an already crowded market.
Blue Ocean Strategy Map
Understanding feature favorability through user testing
To measure initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from on-campus participants identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Live card-sorting
On-site usability testing
Live card-sorting
On-site usability testing
After gathering feedback from the physical usability tests, I created mid-stage wireframes, prioritizing features based on user votes. This provides a baseline for the next design iteration.
Mid-fidelity prototype based on user testing feedback
Refining design through a wider capture of user feedback
To measure initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from 8 participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Live card-sorting
On-site usability testing
Online usability testing
Development
Matching objectives with potential feature opportunities
Guided by secondary research, the team framed a Blue Ocean map to study high-impact functions of our top competitors. This helped us visualize where our product could carve out a niche without directly competing, offering greater growth potential in an already crowded market.
Blue Ocean Strategy Map
Understanding feature favorability through user testing
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Live card-sorting
On-site usability testing
Live card-sorting
On-site usability testing
After gathering feedback from the physical usability tests, I created mid-stage wireframes, prioritizing features based on user votes. This provides a baseline for the next design iteration.
Mid-fidelity prototype based on user testing feedback
Refining design through a wider capture of user feedback
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Live card-sorting
On-site usability testing
Online usability testing
AI Research
Understanding the world's best technology before considering it for a feature
Recognizing the complexity of the project, I took the initiative to research the capabilities of artificial intelligence to explore potential applications for our problem.
Generative AI
Strength
Unique content generation. This aspect creates personalized visual or structural materials, keeping users engaged with a consistently refreshing experience.
Weakness
Long wait time. AI-generated visuals can take longer to produce compared to preset content, potentially making the product feel slow and unresponsive.
Potential value for project
Personalization. Generative AI can add immense value by creating unique content for users, making the product a special and delightful part of their lives.
Generative AI
Strength
Unique content generation. This aspect creates personalized visual or structural materials, keeping users engaged with a consistently refreshing experience.
Weakness
Long wait time. AI-generated visuals can take longer to produce compared to preset content, potentially making the product feel slow and unresponsive.
Potential value for project
Personalization. Generative AI can add immense value by creating unique content for users, making the product a special and delightful part of their lives.
Generative AI
Strength
Unique content generation. This aspect creates personalized visual or structural materials, keeping users engaged with a consistently refreshing experience.
Weakness
Long wait time. AI-generated visuals can take longer to produce compared to preset content, potentially making the product feel slow and unresponsive.
Potential value for project
Personalization. Generative AI can add immense value by creating unique content for users, making the product a special and delightful part of their lives.
Generative AI
Strength
Unique content generation. This aspect creates personalized visual or structural materials, keeping users engaged with a consistently refreshing experience.
Weakness
Long wait time. AI-generated visuals can take longer to produce compared to preset content, potentially making the product feel slow and unresponsive.
Potential value for project
Personalization. Generative AI can add immense value by creating unique content for users, making the product a special and delightful part of their lives.
AI Research
Understanding the world's best technology before considering it for a feature
Recognizing the complexity of the project, I took the initiative to research the capabilities of artificial intelligence to explore potential applications for our problem.
Generative AI
Strength
Unique content generation. This aspect creates personalized visual or structural materials, keeping users engaged with a consistently refreshing experience.
Weakness
Long wait time. AI-generated visuals can take longer to produce compared to preset content, potentially making the product feel slow and unresponsive.
Potential value for project
Personalization. Generative AI can add immense value by creating unique content for users, making the product a special and delightful part of their lives.
Outcome
A perfect scenario for a comprehensive AI system
After synthesizing feedback and conducting additional research, I recognized that AI capabilities could be essential to the feasibility of the wellness planner. By integrating these functionalities through research and prototyping, I designed and animated the following visual mockup showcase:
Smart Calendar Integration
Hybrid AI
Optimized time and effort. Being great at integrating information from multiple sources into a cohesive presentation, hybrid AI empowers the feature to suggest personalized wellness actions seamlessly embedded into users' existing schedules, making wellness planning automated and effortless.
Planning assisted by AI
Reactive & Hybrid AI
Personalization. The functionalities understand the user's current physical condition and wellness goals, while considering their existing schedule to suggest the most suitable actions upon request. This is achieved through the joint effort of reactive and hybrid AI.
Unique achievement badges
Generative AI
Emotional influence. Using generative AI, our badge system — called Marks (like the marks on a sundial) — visualizes unique badges tailored to each user's individual wellness goals, making the achievement process feel special and rewarding.
A welcoming, motivating branding
After considering over 50 name options, we ultimately chose 'Sundial' to represent the brand's warm, supportive, and healthy image. I designed the logo and color scheme to reflect this energy, aiming to motivate users and inspire daily drive.
Simplified style guide
Sundial logo meanings
Additional touch-points that matter outside of the core app experience
While the core app experience is essential, I realized that time spent outside the app can boost user engagement, especially given the nature of a planner. I designed live activities, notification templates, and widgets across multiple platforms, making the Sundial experience more comprehensive.
Additional touch-points for Sundial
Simplified style guide
Sundial logo meanings
Outcome
A perfect scenario for a comprehensive AI system
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Smart Calendar Integration
Hybrid AI
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Planning assisted by AI
Reactive & Hybrid AI
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Unique achievement badges
Generative AI
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
A welcoming, motivating branding
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Simplified style guide
Sundial logo meanings
Additional touch-points that matter outside of the core app experience
To gauge initial user perceptions of the top concepts, I led the creation of paper prototypes. The team collaboratively organized on-site testing and gathered feedback from eight participants on campus identified as potential users of wellness planners.
Additional touch-points for Sundial
Simplified style guide
Sundial logo meanings
Conclusion
1
Design with confidence, grounded in solid user research
The design decisions were strongly validated through a thorough research process, which included primary and secondary user research, as well as a deep understanding of artificial intelligence capabilities. These research findings supported the design choices made for Sundial.
2
Project executed efficiently through effective management
In addition to contributing to the design process, I took on significant responsibilities in project management with a team of four, utilizing methods and tools such as Gantt charts and RACI charts. Taking initiative in team management enhanced my ability to steer the project toward higher-quality outcomes.
3
Get inspired by the world's best technologies for our own advantage
Beyond my personal interest in cutting-edge technologies like AI, leveraging them in the project's outcome significantly broadened my understanding of their capabilities in the fields of technology, wellness, and productivity.
Conclusion
1
Design with confidence, grounded in solid user research
The design decisions were strongly validated through a thorough research process, which included primary and secondary user research, as well as a deep understanding of artificial intelligence capabilities. These research findings supported the design choices made for Sundial.
2
Project executed efficiently through effective management
In addition to contributing to the design process, I took on significant responsibilities in project management with a team of four, utilizing methods and tools such as Gantt charts and RACI charts. Taking initiative in team management enhanced my ability to steer the project toward higher-quality outcomes.
3
Get inspired by the world's best technologies for our own advantage
Beyond my personal interest in cutting-edge technologies like AI, leveraging them in the project's outcome significantly broadened my understanding of their capabilities in the fields of technology, wellness, and productivity.