Mobile Product Design · Emotional Wellness · AI Companion · Group Project
Mobile Product Design · Emotional Wellness · AI Companion · Group Project
Mobile Product Design · Emotional Wellness · AI Companion · Group Project
Many people feel emotions they don’t fully understand, but when asked to write them down, they freeze. Journaling apps assume users can articulate their feelings. In emotionally overwhelming moments, that expectation becomes friction, and users disengage.
MYLO replaces words with visual expression, using AI to reflect patterns from users’ input back to them, so they can make sense of what they feel without needing to explain it first.
Many people feel emotions they don’t fully understand, but when asked to write them down, they freeze. Journaling apps assume users can articulate their feelings. In emotionally overwhelming moments, that expectation becomes friction, and users disengage.
MYLO replaces words with visual expression, using AI to reflect patterns from users’ input back to them, so they can make sense of what they feel without needing to explain it first.
Many people feel emotions they don’t fully understand, but when asked to write them down, they freeze. Journaling apps assume users can articulate their feelings. In emotionally overwhelming moments, that expectation becomes friction, and users disengage.
MYLO replaces words with visual expression, using AI to reflect patterns from users’ input back to them, so they can make sense of what they feel without needing to explain it first.
My Role
My Role
My Role
I led the UX and interaction design for MYLO, focusing on how users move from feeling to expression and from expression to reflection.
I led the UX and interaction design for MYLO, focusing on how users move from feeling to expression and from expression to reflection.
I led the UX and interaction design for MYLO, focusing on how users move from feeling to expression and from expression to reflection.
✦
Designed all core user flows — Defined the full experience from onboarding to interaction, ensuring every flow had a clear entry, purpose, and exit
Designed all core user flows — Defined the full experience from onboarding to interaction, ensuring every flow had a clear entry, purpose, and exit
Designed all core user flows — Defined the full experience from onboarding to interaction, ensuring every flow had a clear entry, purpose, and exit
✦
Built the end-to-end interactive prototype — Created a fully navigable, testable mobile experience, not just static screens
Built the end-to-end interactive prototype — Created a fully navigable, testable mobile experience, not just static screens
Built the end-to-end interactive prototype — Created a fully navigable, testable mobile experience, not just static screens
✦
Reduced friction in emotional moments — Simplified interactions and minimized steps between feeling and expression to avoid cognitive overload
Reduced friction in emotional moments — Simplified interactions and minimized steps between feeling and expression to avoid cognitive overload
Reduced friction in emotional moments — Simplified interactions and minimized steps between feeling and expression to avoid cognitive overload
✦
Translated emotional concepts into product decisions — Turned abstract goals like “feels calm” into concrete choices in layout, interaction, and pacing
Translated emotional concepts into product decisions — Turned abstract goals like “feels calm” into concrete choices in layout, interaction, and pacing
Translated emotional concepts into product decisions — Turned abstract goals like “feels calm” into concrete choices in layout, interaction, and pacing
Collaboration
Collaboration
Collaboration
This was a collaborative project with a small cross-functional team.
This was a collaborative project with a small cross-functional team.
This was a collaborative project with a small cross-functional team.
✦
Carolina led product vision and concept
Carolina led product vision and concept
Carolina led product vision and concept
✦
Lina focused on user research and insights
Lina focused on user research and insights
Lina focused on user research and insights
✦
Stefany (me) led UX and interaction design, translating the concept into a functional experience
Stefany (me) led UX and interaction design, translating the concept into a functional experience
Stefany (me) led UX and interaction design, translating the concept into a functional experience
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Aug 2025 — Dec 2025
Aug 2025 — Dec 2025
Aug 2025 — Dec 2025
Role
Role
Role
Role
UX/UI Designer · Interaction Designer
UX/UI Designer · Interaction Designer
UX/UI Designer · Interaction Designer
Team
Team
Team
Team
Carolina Angel — Founder & Creative Director
Carolina Angel — Founder & Creative Director
Carolina Angel — Founder & Creative Director
Lina Reynolds — Co-Founder & UX Researcher
Lina Reynolds — Co-Founder & UX Researcher
Lina Reynolds — Co-Founder & UX Researcher
Stefany Harada — UX/UI Designer
Stefany Harada — UX/UI Designer
Stefany Harada — UX/UI Designer
Tools
Tools
Tools
Tools
Figma · FigJam · ChatGPT · Lovable AI
Figma · FigJam · ChatGPT · Lovable AI
Figma · FigJam · ChatGPT · Lovable AI
Skills
Skills
Skills
Skills
Interaction Design · Product Strategy · Prototype · AI
Interaction Design · Product Strategy · Prototype · AI
Interaction Design · Product Strategy · Prototype · AI
The Challenge
The Challenge
The Challenge
Most mental health apps ask users to track and label how they feel, but tracking is not healing. When emotions are overwhelming or unclear, people struggle to put them into words and disengage from journaling tools.
The problem is not awareness. It is expression. Users need a way to express what they feel, not just describe it.
Most mental health apps ask users to track and label how they feel, but tracking is not healing. When emotions are overwhelming or unclear, people struggle to put them into words and disengage from journaling tools.
The problem is not awareness. It is expression. Users need a way to express what they feel, not just describe it.
Most mental health apps ask users to track and label how they feel, but tracking is not healing. When emotions are overwhelming or unclear, people struggle to put them into words and disengage from journaling tools.
The problem is not awareness. It is expression. Users need a way to express what they feel, not just describe it.
Most mental health apps ask users to track and label how they feel, but tracking is not healing. When emotions are overwhelming or unclear, people struggle to put them into words and disengage from journaling tools.
The problem is not awareness. It is expression. Users need a way to express what they feel, not just describe it.
Visual over verbal
Visual over verbal
Visual over verbal
Users process visuals faster than words.
We prioritized visual interaction over text-based journaling.
Users process visuals faster than words. We prioritized visual interaction over text-based journaling.
Users process visuals faster than words.
We prioritized visual interaction over text-based journaling.
Creativity as regulation
Creativity as regulation
Creativity as regulation
Creative expression helps regulate emotions.
We made creative expression the core interaction,
not a feature.
Creative expression helps regulate emotions. We made creative expression the core interaction,
not a feature.
Creative expression helps regulate emotions.
We made creative expression the core interaction, not a feature.
Sensory grounding
Sensory grounding
Sensory grounding
Shapes and repetition help create emotional stability.
We used simple visual elements to create a calm experience.
Shapes and repetition help create emotional stability.
We used simple visual elements to create a calm experience.
Shapes and repetition help create emotional stability. We used simple visual elements to create a calm experience.
This insight led to a different approach.
Instead of tracking emotions, we focused on helping users express them.
This insight led to a different approach.
Instead of tracking emotions, we focused on helping users express them.
This insight led to a different approach.
Instead of tracking emotions, we focused on helping users express them.
The Solution
The Solution
The Solution
While most tools ask for input, MYLO helps users express what they feel
MYLO is a reflective companion. Users express emotions visually, and the system responds by reflecting patterns from their input back to them.
Instead of tracking habits or asking users to describe how they feel, MYLO focuses on expression.
It creates space for users to explore emotions without pressure or expectation. It asks for output, not input.
While most tools ask for input, MYLO helps users express what they feel
MYLO is a reflective companion. Users express emotions visually, and the system responds by reflecting patterns from their input back to them.
Instead of tracking habits or asking users to describe how they feel, MYLO focuses on expression.
It creates space for users to explore emotions without pressure or expectation. It asks for output, not input.
While most tools ask for input, MYLO helps users express what they feel
MYLO is a reflective companion. Users express emotions visually, and the system responds by reflecting patterns from their input back to them.
Instead of tracking habits or asking users to describe how they feel, MYLO focuses on expression.
It creates space for users to explore emotions without pressure or expectation. It asks for output, not input.
This loop turns expression into an ongoing reflective experience.
This loop turns expression into an ongoing reflective experience.
This loop turns expression into an ongoing reflective experience.
✦
Core Features
Core Features
Core Features
✦
Flow 1
Flow 1
Flow 1
Getting Started:
Building a Safe Space
Getting Started:
Building a Safe Space
Getting Started:
Building a Safe Space
Users begin with a lightweight onboarding focused on comfort, not data.
They can skip any step and customize MYLO’s tone and interaction style.
Users begin with a lightweight onboarding focused on comfort, not data.
They can skip any step and customize MYLO’s tone and interaction style.
Users begin with a lightweight onboarding focused on comfort, not data. They can skip any step and customize MYLO’s tone and interaction style.
✦
Focused on emotional preferences, not clinical input
Focused on emotional preferences, not clinical input
Focused on emotional preferences, not clinical input
Focused on emotional preferences, not clinical input
✦
Low-pressure, skippable onboarding
Low-pressure, skippable onboarding
Low-pressure, skippable onboarding
Low-pressure, skippable onboarding
✦
Early customization builds trust and familiarity
Early customization builds trust and familiarity
Early customization builds trust and familiarity
Early customization builds trust and familiarity
Flow 2
Flow 2
Flow 2
Expressing Emotions:
From Blank Canvas to Guided Creation
Expressing Emotions:
From Blank Canvas to Guided Creation
Expressing Emotions:
From Blank Canvas to Guided Creation
Users can express emotions through free drawing or guided tracing, depending on their state.
This reduces the barrier to starting and supports both exploration and structure.
Users can express emotions through free drawing or guided tracing, depending on their state.
This reduces the barrier to starting and supports both exploration and structure.
Users can express emotions through free drawing or guided tracing, depending on their state. This reduces the barrier to starting and supports both exploration and structure.
✦
Free canvas with no rules or expectations
Free canvas with no rules or expectations
Free canvas with no rules or expectations
Free canvas with no rules or expectations
✦
Guided prompts for moments of uncertainty
Guided prompts for moments of uncertainty
Guided prompts for moments of uncertainty
Guided prompts for moments of uncertainty
✦
Smooth transition from creation to reflection
Smooth transition from creation to reflection
Smooth transition from creation to reflection
Smooth transition from creation to reflection
Flow 3
Flow 3
Flow 3
Reflecting & Connecting:
Understanding Through Interaction
Reflecting & Connecting:
Understanding Through Interaction
Reflecting & Connecting:
Understanding Through Interaction
After expression, MYLO reflects patterns back to the user through visuals and conversation.
The system supports understanding without interpreting or diagnosing.
After expression, MYLO reflects patterns back to the user through visuals and conversation.
The system supports understanding without interpreting or diagnosing.
After expression, MYLO reflects patterns back to the user through visuals and conversation.
The system supports understanding without interpreting or diagnosing.
✦
Reflective, not prescriptive feedback
Reflective, not prescriptive feedback
Reflective, not prescriptive feedback
Reflective, not prescriptive feedback
✦
Emotional awareness without judgment
Emotional awareness without judgment
Emotional awareness without judgment
Emotional awareness without judgment
✦
Flexible interaction through text or voice
Flexible interaction through text or voice
Flexible interaction through text or voice
Flexible interaction through text or voice
Outcomes
& What This Actually Proved
Outcomes
& What This Actually Proved
Outcomes
& What This Validated
This project evolved into a fully testable prototype (the beta version) to validate how users engage with emotional expression through creativity and AI. By combining initial hypotheses with real beta usage, a few things became very clear:
This project evolved into a fully testable prototype (the beta version) to validate how users engage with emotional expression through creativity and AI. By combining initial hypotheses with real beta usage, a few things became very clear:
This project evolved into a fully testable prototype (the beta version) to validate how users engage with emotional expression through creativity and AI. By combining initial hypotheses with real beta usage, a few things became very clear:
This project evolved into a fully testable prototype (the beta version) to validate how users engage with emotional expression through creativity and AI. By combining initial hypotheses with real beta usage, a few things became very clear:
The Data Analysis
The Data Analysis
Early usage gave us a clearer picture of real behavior:
Early usage gave us a clearer picture of real behavior:
✦
223 visitors and 1.1k page views
223 visitors and 1.1k page views
223 visitors and 1.1k page views
✦
Average of 4.71 pages per visit
Average of 4.71 pages per visit
Average of 4.71 pages per visit
✦
Around 2 minutes and 34 seconds of engagement in the app
Around 2 minutes and 34 seconds of engagement in the app
Around 2 minutes and 34 seconds of engagement in the app
Users explored the experience, but continuation depended heavily on speed, responsiveness, and emotional relevance.
Users explored the experience, but continuation depended heavily on speed, responsiveness, and emotional relevance.
What This Changed
What This Changed
Based on both validation and real usage, the next steps became clear:
Based on both validation and real usage, the next steps became clear:
✦
Make Mylo feel more human through more dynamic and context-aware responses
Make Mylo feel more human through more dynamic and context-aware responses
Make Mylo feel more human through more dynamic and context-aware responses
✦
Double down on the drawing experience as a core feature, not a supporting one
Double down on the drawing experience as a core feature, not a supporting one
Double down on the drawing experience as a core feature, not a supporting one
✦
Fix technical friction, especially voice input and slow interactions
Fix technical friction, especially voice input and slow interactions
Fix technical friction, especially voice input and slow interactions
✦
Optimize speed and accessibility so users can rely on it in real emotional moments
Optimize speed and accessibility so users can rely on it in real emotional moments
Optimize speed and accessibility so users can rely on it in real emotional moments
The Data Analysis
Early usage gave us a clearer picture of real behavior:
✦
223 visitors and 1.1k page views
✦
Average of 4.71 pages per visit
✦
Around 2 minutes and 34 seconds of engagement in the app
Users explored the experience, but continuation depended heavily on speed, responsiveness, and emotional relevance.
What This Changed
Based on both validation and real usage, the next steps became clear:
✦
Make Mylo feel more human through more dynamic and context-aware responses
✦
Double down on the drawing experience as a core feature, not a supporting one
✦
Fix technical friction, especially voice input and slow interactions
✦
Optimize speed and accessibility so users can rely on it in real emotional moments
What We Learned From Users
What We Learned From Users
What We
Learned From Users
✦
Lowering the barrier to expression works — Users naturally engaged more when they weren't forced to "find the right words"
Lowering the barrier to expression works — Users naturally engaged more when they weren't forced to "find the right words"
Lowering the barrier to expression works — Users naturally engaged more when they weren't forced to "find the right words"
✦
Flexibility is critical in emotional moments — Allowing users to pause, skip, or move at their own pace reduced friction significantly. When the experience felt too rigid or slow, users disengaged quickly, especially in moments of stress
Flexibility is critical in emotional moments — Allowing users to pause, skip, or move at their own pace reduced friction significantly. When the experience felt too rigid or slow, users disengaged quickly, especially in moments of stress
Flexibility is critical in emotional moments — Allowing users to pause, skip, or move at their own pace reduced friction significantly. When the experience felt too rigid or slow, users disengaged quickly, especially in moments of stress
✦
AI needs to feel human, not scripted — While AI reflection showed potential, users noticed when responses felt repetitive or generic. Making the interaction feel more natural, warm, and responsive became a clear priority
AI needs to feel human, not scripted — While AI reflection showed potential, users noticed when responses felt repetitive or generic. Making the interaction feel more natural, warm, and responsive became a clear priority
AI needs to feel human, not scripted — While AI reflection showed potential, users noticed when responses felt repetitive or generic. Making the interaction feel more natural, warm, and responsive became a clear priority
✦
End-to-end testing exposed real gaps — Desgining across the full journey revealed issues that weren't visible in isolated screens, espcially around performance, voice input reliability, and response time. These gaps directly impacted trust and continuity.
End-to-end testing exposed real gaps — Desgining across the full journey revealed issues that weren't visible in isolated screens, espcially around performance, voice input reliability, and response time. These gaps directly impacted trust and continuity.
End-to-end testing exposed real gaps — Desgining across the full journey revealed issues that weren't visible in isolated screens, espcially around performance, voice input reliability, and response time. These gaps directly impacted trust and continuity.
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
What I Learned
What I Learned
What I Learned
✦
Simplicity improves emotional clarity — Reducing visual and interaction noise made the experience more approachable and effective
Simplicity improves emotional clarity — Reducing visual and interaction noise made the experience more approachable and effective
Simplicity improves emotional clarity — Reducing visual and interaction noise made the experience more approachable and effective
Simplicity improves emotional clarity — Reducing visual and interaction noise made the experience more approachable and effective
✦
Flows matter more than screens — Defining user flows early helped reduce rework and improved overall cohesion
Flows matter more than screens — Defining user flows early helped reduce rework and improved overall cohesion
Flows matter more than screens — Defining user flows early helped reduce rework and improved overall cohesion
Flows matter more than screens — Defining user flows early helped reduce rework and improved overall cohesion
✦
Design decisions must support emotional context — Every interaction, transition, and visual element needed to feel intentional and supportive
Design decisions must support emotional context — Every interaction, transition, and visual element needed to feel intentional and supportive
Design decisions must support emotional context — Every interaction, transition, and visual element needed to feel intentional and supportive
Design decisions must support emotional context — Every interaction, transition, and visual element needed to feel intentional and supportive
What I would do differently
What I would do differently
What I would do differently
✦
Use a more restrained visual system to improve clarity and consistency
Use a more restrained visual system to improve clarity and consistency
Use a more restrained visual system to improve clarity and consistency
Use a more restrained visual system to improve clarity and consistency
✦
Define flows earlier to reduce mid-process iteration and confusion
Define flows earlier to reduce mid-process iteration and confusion
Define flows earlier to reduce mid-process iteration and confusion
Define flows earlier to reduce mid-process iteration and confusion
✦
Push the visual language toward a more mature and refined direction
Push the visual language toward a more mature and refined direction
Push the visual language toward a more mature and refined direction
Push the visual language toward a more mature and refined direction
next steps
next steps
next steps
✦
Expand chat and voice interaction as core features
Expand chat and voice interaction as core features
Expand chat and voice interaction as core features
Expand chat and voice interaction as core features
✦
Refine the reflection system based on user behavior patterns
Refine the reflection system based on user behavior patterns
Refine the reflection system based on user behavior patterns
Refine the reflection system based on user behavior patterns
✦
Explore opportunities to develop the product into a real application
Explore opportunities to develop the product into a real application
Explore opportunities to develop the product into a real application
Explore opportunities to develop the product into a real application
Experience MYLO
Experience MYLO
Experience MYLO
MYLO was designed to transform emotions into creative expression.
Explore how the experience evolves from concept to a working product.
MYLO was designed to transform emotions into creative expression.
Explore how the experience evolves from concept to a working product.
MYLO was designed to transform emotions into creative expression. Explore how the experience evolves from concept to a working product.
MYLO was designed to transform emotions into creative expression. Explore how the experience evolves from concept to a working product.
Prototype
Prototype
Prototype
Explore the core experience, including onboarding, companion creation, and the creative interaction loop.
Users process visuals faster than words. We prioritized visual interaction over text-based journaling.
Explore the core experience, including onboarding, companion creation, and the creative interaction loop.
Beta version
Beta version
Beta version
Interact with an early working version of MYLO and see how the concept translates into a real product.
Creative expression helps regulate emotions. We made creative expression the core interaction,
not a feature.
Creative expression helps regulate emotions.
We made creative expression the core interaction, not a feature.
