Inclusivity by Design:
ADHD-Centric Wellness App
My Role
Product Manager -
UX Designer -
UI Designer
Deliverables
Hi-fi wire-framing App version
Hi-fi prototype App version
Timeline 2023
2 months
Company
Otternative Marketing
Overview
This case study explores the design and development of a wellness app tailored for neurodivergent individuals, with a special focus on ADHD. Rooted in empathetic research, the design thinking process centered on understanding the cognitive and emotional challenges associated with attention, organization, and motivation.
Through features like “Task at Hand,” an AI-powered Companion Chat, and a Community Space, the app empowers users to manage focus, build structure, and foster connection.
Remarkably, these features — such as daily mood tracking, guided journaling, and AI-assisted emotional support — were conceived before major technology companies like Apple and others introduced similar well-being tools. This early innovation reflected our deep understanding of user needs and the lack of inclusive digital products available at that time.
This exploration demonstrates how inclusive design and empathy-led innovation can anticipate emerging user needs, transforming wellness technology into a space of accessibility, belonging, and support.
Mission
The focus is on creating a user-friendly, accessible interface that supports the specific needs of individuals with ADHD. The goal is to prioritize inclusivity, focus, and emotional well-being — designing an experience that helps users stay organized, connected, and confident in their daily routines.
Problem
Most wellness apps overlook neurodivergent users, offering overstimulating interfaces or generic content that fails to address focus and emotional challenges.
The client needed an engaging, research-backed solution that would attract and retain users by directly supporting task management, emotional regulation, and community belonging.
Research
Our research began with an exploration of post-pandemic well-being, especially among remote workers experiencing social isolation, anxiety, and lack of structure. Early findings revealed a strong overlap with ADHD-related challenges, prompting a shift in focus toward neurodivergent users.
Following this initial exploration, our research evolved into a quantitative survey that provided valuable insights:
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approximately 40% of the participants were devoting an average of 8 to 10 hours per day to work or study, indicating a significant commitment to their daily tasks.
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Surprisingly, 90% of the surveyed individuals considered their mental health to be in good condition.
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A substantial 52% either had a neurodivergent condition or suspected they might have one, with 30% expressing a high degree of certainty regarding ADHD.
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It was eye-opening to learn that 66% of respondents believed that the wellness apps they used were not customized for individuals with ADHD or neurodivergent conditions.
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65% expressing the need for a Daily Routine planner.
the same 65% percentage desiring mindfulness and meditation features.
49% seeking tips related to physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Virtual social interaction was also considered essential by 30% of the participants.
This discovery in Mental health question led us to reconsider our focus on remote workers and explore alternative avenues.
These revelations inspired us to shift our focus towards this specific target group and create a solution tailored to their unique needs.
"I often find it hard to keep a routine; it feels like my day is all over the place."
Secondary Research & Survey
We benchmarked leading wellness and productivity apps, identifying a lack of comprehensive solutions. None addressed ADHD-specific needs such as task prioritization, focus modes, or emotional support — signaling a clear market opportunity for inclusivity-centered design.
Competitors Analysis
Based on the comparison shown in the table below, it's clear that existing wellness apps lack comprehensive features, with none offering more than three essential aspects. This gap presents a prime opportunity.
The future app could stand out in the market and address the diverse needs of neurodivergent individuals and other users seeking comprehensive mental health and well-being support.
User Persona &
Dana is a 32-year-old graphic designer with a strong passion for creative pursuits. She aspires to enhance her focus and productivity in her work while struggling with ADHD.
Her daily challenges revolve around managing tasks and organizing her personal and professional life, leading to considerable stress. Despite her creative flair, Dana often experiences feelings of social isolation due to difficulties in social interactions. She is seeking emotional support and a sense of connection with others.
Dana and others facing ADHD challenges with distractions, organization, and isolation lack tailored solutions.
We propose a wellness app addressing these issues by enhancing focus, offering task management tools, emotional support, and meaningful social interactions. The goal is to rejuvenate memberships for a more inclusive and supportive community.
Problem Statment
Ideation
These categories guided the development of features in the wellness app. The team used the Impact Effort Matrix to prioritize high-impact, low-effort ideas. A key focus was the personalized login process to deliver tailored user experiences based on individual conditions
The rest of the features where organised in this way (following the matrix in the picture):
During the ideation phase, the team conducted a creative brainstorming session, generating ideas focused on enhancing the well-being of individuals with ADHD. Ideas were categorized into Task organization, Motivation & Encouragement, Mental health & Emotional management, Concentration, and Routines.
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We were including features like
Mood tracking
Setting alarms for breaks and exercises
Goal tracking
Motivation prompts
Concentration mode.
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features like :
Personalised Loggin
Prioritizing tasks
Customizable profiles
AI chat functionality
Community chat
Gamifying daily tasks.
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Multiple characters for the AI buddy
Earning badges for achieving milestones
Receiving mood-based memes
Tracking pain levels
Incorporating breathing exercises.
Solution
Our wellness app, crafted for individuals like Dana managing ADHD, provides personalized solutions. With features like 'Task at Hand,' mood tracking, and AI Companion Chat, users enhance focus and well-being. The app fosters community through Community Chat, offers gamified tasks, and provides personalisation options, promoting a sense of accomplishment and well-being.
User flow
User flow or "Happy path" design for the Login action in the App
, to Mid-Fi
In the initial phases, we created low-fidelity wireframes, outlining the fundamental app structure. Progressing to medium-fidelity designs, we prioritized basic elements and interactions, deferring colors and typography for the high-fidelity stage. These mid-fi designs served as a refined visual guide, bridging concepts to the final product in our development process.
Some wireframes on mid-fi of how the app should be structured
To gain a clearer understanding, we created a structured outline detailing the content for each section or screen. This approach allowed us to divide tasks efficiently, enabling simultaneous work on different screens. Our goal was to converge all aspects in the final high-fidelity prototype.
Scheme of the sections and content in each of them
, to Hi-Fi.
We began by creating a moodboard, guiding the design with a calming and unobtrusive visual direction.
To meet our target audience's needs, we selected a calming color palette overstimulating hues. The primary colors balance vibrancy and serenity, providing an engaging yet non-disruptive visual experience.
Through thorough research and comparison, we chose Helvetica as our main font. Its clean and straightforward design enhances readability, aligning with our goal of providing a clutter-free interface for focused user interactions.
With colors, typography, and style decisions settled, we crafted a comprehensive style tile, serving as a visual guide for consistency and a cohesive user experience. Our hi-fi design prioritized simplicity and usability for individuals with ADHD.
Problem/Solution
Problem: Starting the day feeling overwhelmed and disorganized, lacking a clear task list and prioritization strategy.
Solution: The introduction of a daily task setup and a priority-based task creator feature was shaped by the survey finding that 65.4% of participants expressed a desire for a structured task organization system. This solution directly addresses their need for a clear and organized approach to their daily tasks, aligning with the majority of participants' requests and ensuring a user-friendly experience for individuals with ADHD.
Problem: Difficulty in prioritizing tasks due to distractions.
Solution: The "Focus Mode" and "Task at Hand" features were designed in response to 55% of participants reporting distraction as a significant challenge. By focusing attention on high-priority tasks, these solutions directly target the needs of users struggling with distractions.
Problem: Stressful thoughts impacting bedtime.
Solution: The integration of Audio-Journaling, meditation, and wind-down sessions was influenced by the 28.6% of participants who identified stress and 65% who desired mindful and meditation features. These solutions directly address the stress-related challenges faced by users.
Problem: Feelings of loneliness during overwhelming days.
Solution: The AI chat feature and community chat were introduced based on 30% of participants indicating loneliness as a challenge. These solutions provide social support and companionship, addressing the specific needs expressed by the survey participants.
Next steps
Registration of Medication Set-up: A feature was implemented allowing users to register and set up reminders for their medications.
Mental Health Check Suggestions: An intelligent system was incorporated to detect prolonged low moods tracked by users. When such patterns were identified, the app automatically suggested mental health check-ins or provided relevant resources to support users during difficult times
User Community Features: Implementing discussion forums or community groups where users can share experiences, tips, and support one another. Moderation tools could also be developed to ensure a safe and supportive environment.
Integration with Wearable Devices: such as smartwatches or fitness trackers. This integration can provide real-time data on users' physical activity, sleep patterns, and stress levels, enhancing the app's approach to well-being.
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