App Design | Foundations | by Lophie Design

Foundations

UI/UX Design | App Design| Visual Identity

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe XD

Overview

Foundations is a mobile app designed as a self-initiated case study during an interactive design course. Rooted in behavioural psychology and inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear, this concept explores how intuitive, user-centered design can support sustainable habit change. The project blends neuroscience-backed insights with user research to help users create meaningful, lasting change.

The Problem Statement

Individuals have difficulty with sustainable habit change even when having the understanding and desire for better habits.

The Solution

A simple, easy to use mobile app to guide users to create and maintain customizable morning and night routines. Helping them to establish habits which create a solid foundation to shape their life.

Empathize

Goal: Understand the motivations, struggles, and routines of people trying to build better habits

Surveyed 10 individuals aged 20-35 to explore behaviour patterns and motivations around habit formation
Identified common pain points including lack of motivation, forgetfulness, and difficulty sustaining new routines
Discovered a shared desire to improve sleep routines and wake up earlier
Created a user persona, Georgia, to encapsulate user motivations, goals, and pain points - a busy young professional seeking balance and self-improvement

Define

Goal: Translate behavioural insights into a strategic app concept

Explored habit-forming strategies through the lens of behavioural psychology and neuroscience
Developed a core vision: an app that motivates users gently but consistently, supporting both short-term goals and long-term transformation through structuring morning and evening routines
Defined app features to support motivation, self-reflection, and habit reinforcement strategies in routines
Framed the app around dual daily rituals (morning/evening) to help users stay grounded and aligned with focused, easily tracked goals

Ideate

Goal: Design an interface that is intuitive, calming, and motivating

Created low-fidelity sketches, then mid-fidelity wireframes to establish information hierarchy, key flows, and feature placement
Prioritized usability by organizing tasks logically and keeping navigation consistent and straightforward
Developed a visual identity reflecting harmony and growth, using a harmonious colour palette of soothing blues and energizing greens
Designed an app icon symbolizing wholeness an duality - highlighting the balance between morning and evening
Used typography and layout spacing intentionally to create an open, focused environment that supports goal setting and habit-forming behaviours

Prototype

Goal: Build an interactive model for testing and feedback

Developed functional prototypes
Simulated core flows, such as adding habits, reviewing progress, and setting custom reminders
Allowed for early user interaction and experience testing

View Prototype

Test

Goal: Observe real user interaction and refine the experience

Conducted in-person usability testing with 3 target users
Observed navigation patterns, hesitations, and areas of confusion
Gained valuable feedback on visual clarity, ease of flow, and interaction expectations

Final Design

Goal: Delivered a refined, functional prototype that supports real user motivation and long-term success

Finalized a high-fidelity, functional prototype that showcases the full app experience
Balanced psychological inisght with intuitive UX and calming yet motivational UI