Project Details
Tools: Figma, Xcode, Swift/UI, Spotify, Google Docs, Google Forms, Voice Memos, Miro, ChatGPT, QuickTime
Timeline: 2 semesters
Project Type: School project
Timeline: 2 semesters
Project Type: School project
Key Skills
- Skill 1: UI/UX Design
- Skill 2: Interaction Design
- Skill 3: Mobile Development
The Challenge
The problem:
In my interaction design course, I was tasked with designing an app that helps college students in a meaningful way. In a following course, I expanded this concept by developing the app.
In my interaction design course, I was tasked with designing an app that helps college students in a meaningful way. In a following course, I expanded this concept by developing the app.
The objective of the project:
To create an engaging and effective way for college students to reduce stress using music, while encouraging consistent use through gamification.
To create an engaging and effective way for college students to reduce stress using music, while encouraging consistent use through gamification.
The constraints:
- Designed within one semester, then developed in a second semester
- Had to address a real user need for college students
- Required both design execution and technical implementation
- Needed to learn new tools (Figma and Swift/SwiftUI)
- Designed within one semester, then developed in a second semester
- Had to address a real user need for college students
- Required both design execution and technical implementation
- Needed to learn new tools (Figma and Swift/SwiftUI)
Research & Inspiration
I began by exploring well-designed and unique apps on Pinterest to understand current design trends and interaction patterns.
I then conducted:
- Preliminary interviews to identify key problem areas (fitness, food tracking, social, focus, stress)
- Additional focused interviews centered on stress and music
- I also analyzed existing apps to identify gaps in the market.
- Preliminary interviews to identify key problem areas (fitness, food tracking, social, focus, stress)
- Additional focused interviews centered on stress and music
- I also analyzed existing apps to identify gaps in the market.
Through this research, I discovered an opportunity to combine:
- Stress management
- Music as a tool
- Gamification to increase engagement
- Stress management
- Music as a tool
- Gamification to increase engagement
These insights led to my core concept.
Here is the sitemap of how I planned the app to function using Miro.
Ideation & Early Concepts
I developed my “big idea” around a gamified stress-reduction app where users care for a virtual bird that reflects their emotional state.
During ideation, I:
- Created a persona based on my target audience
- Defined four design tenets to guide decisions
- Sketched four key workflows
- Created a persona based on my target audience
- Defined four design tenets to guide decisions
- Sketched four key workflows
I then translated these into:
- Low-fidelity wireframes in Figma
- High-fidelity prototypes
- Low-fidelity wireframes in Figma
- High-fidelity prototypes
I later incorporated gamification elements to make the experience more engaging and motivating.
Low fidelity workflows using Figma
High fidelity workflows using Figma
Design Process
I iterated heavily on the design throughout the semester, continuously refining based on feedback and testing.
My process included:
- Designing full user flows in both iOS and Android formats
- Testing the app with users to identify confusion points
- Improving usability and visual consistency through iteration
One of the biggest challenges was learning Figma for the first time while also trying to create a cohesive and visually appealing design. Through practice and feedback, I significantly improved both my technical and design skills.
My process included:
- Designing full user flows in both iOS and Android formats
- Testing the app with users to identify confusion points
- Improving usability and visual consistency through iteration
One of the biggest challenges was learning Figma for the first time while also trying to create a cohesive and visually appealing design. Through practice and feedback, I significantly improved both my technical and design skills.
In the second phase, I brought the app to life by developing it in Xcode using Swift and SwiftUI. I applied concepts from coursework directly to building my app, translating my designs into a functional product.
Final Outcome
Chill Chirp is a mobile app that:
- Allows users to select their mood and daily goal
- Recommends playlists tailored to reduce stress
- Connects to Spotify to play music seamlessly
- Uses gamification to encourage continued engagement
- Allows users to select their mood and daily goal
- Recommends playlists tailored to reduce stress
- Connects to Spotify to play music seamlessly
- Uses gamification to encourage continued engagement
The app helps eliminate decision fatigue around music selection while promoting relaxation and emotional awareness
First version of Chill Chirp using Figma Prototype
Second Version of Chill Chirp using SwiftUI
Reflection
This project taught me how to take an idea from concept to execution across both design and development.
I learned:
- How to design and structure a full mobile app experience
- How to use Figma to create wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes
- How to code an app using Swift and SwiftUI
- How to iterate based on feedback and testing
- How to design and structure a full mobile app experience
- How to use Figma to create wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes
- How to code an app using Swift and SwiftUI
- How to iterate based on feedback and testing
One of the biggest challenges was learning a new programming language and development environment, but it pushed me to grow technically.
If I revisited this project, I would:
- Refine the visual design for more consistency, especially improving contrast
- Expand the app’s features and personalization
- Improve integration with Spotify
- Refine the visual design for more consistency, especially improving contrast
- Expand the app’s features and personalization
- Improve integration with Spotify
