Smooothly
Smooothly
Smooothly
Jump to final prototype
Jump to final prototype
01. WHAT IS SMOOOTHLY
Smooothly is a conceptual mobile app designed to help expats transition seamlessly into life in a new country. This project showcases my end-to-end design process, from initial research and ideation to prototyping and interaction design across mobile and Apple Watch screens.
02. OVERVIEW
Task
Task
Designing a wellness mobile application
Designing a wellness mobile application
Team
Team
Individual
Individual
Timeframe
Timeframe
2 weeks
2 weeks
Tools
Tools
Figma, Figjam, Notion, Adobe Illustrator, Google Drive, Slack, Google Forms
Figma, Figjam, Notion, Adobe Illustrator, Google Drive, Slack, Google Forms
Scope
Scope
UX Research, Business Competitive Analysis, Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Branding, Visual Design, Interaction Design, and Prototyping.
UX Research, Business Competitive Analysis, Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Branding, Visual Design, Interaction Design, and Prototyping.
03. OBJECTIVE
The task was to develop a wellness app that tracks a certain type of progress and includes onboarding sign-up screens for users.
When the idea of an expat transition app came to me, I immediately knew it was 'the one.' Having moved to Paris just a few months ago, I deeply connected with the subject and was certain I would pour my passion into bringing it to life.
The task was to develop a wellness app that tracks a certain type of progress and includes onboarding sign-up screens for users.
When the idea of an expat transition app came to me, I immediately knew it was 'the one.' Having moved to Paris just a few months ago, I deeply connected with the subject and was certain I would pour my passion into bringing it to life.
The task was to develop a wellness app that tracks a certain type of progress and includes onboarding sign-up screens for users.
When the idea of an expat transition app came to me, I immediately knew it was 'the one.' Having moved to Paris just a few months ago, I deeply connected with the subject and was certain I would pour my passion into bringing it to life.
04. EMPATHIZE
The first step was to empathize with expats who had already gone through the process of moving to a new country. I aimed to understand their challenges and identify ways to better support future expats.
Through five interviews and survey responses from 56 expats, key insights became apparent:
When asked if they had any regrets, the most common responses were:
When asked if they had any regrets, the most common responses were:
When asked if they had any regrets, the most common responses were:
Wishing they had stepped out of their comfort zones earlier to engage in cultural events and learn the language.
Regretting not making an effort to befriend locals instead of primarily socializing with people from their home country.
“Have an open mind and do put in the effort to meet people.”
“Don't only make friends with people from your own country, it will make the integration more difficult.”
“Get out of your comfort zone, experience new things.”
“Dive into the culture directly and embrace the city and the people.”
Tips from expats for future expats
“Have an open mind and do put in the effort to meet people.”
“Don't only make friends with people from your own country, it will make the integration more difficult.”
“Get out of your comfort zone, experience new things.”
“Dive into the culture directly and embrace the city and the people.”
Tips from expats for future expats
“Have an open mind and do put in the effort to meet people.”
“Don't only make friends with people from your own country, it will make the integration more difficult.”
“Get out of your comfort zone, experience new things.”
“Dive into the culture directly and embrace the city and the people.”
Tips from expats for future expats
I organized all the insights from the surveys and interviews into an affinity diagram, and what I found was that most expat pain points fell into two main categories: emotional well-being and cultural integration.
I organized all the insights from the surveys and interviews into an affinity diagram, and what I found was that most expat pain points fell into two main categories: emotional well-being and cultural integration.
I organized all the insights from the surveys and interviews into an affinity diagram, and what I found was that most expat pain points fell into two main categories: emotional well-being and cultural integration.
Despite the challenges, one thing stood out — no one regretted their decision to move. Everyone encouraged it. While integration took longer for some, the overall consensus was clear: “DO IT.”
Despite the challenges, one thing stood out — no one regretted their decision to move. Everyone encouraged it. While integration took longer for some, the overall consensus was clear: “DO IT.”
Despite the challenges, one thing stood out — no one regretted their decision to move. Everyone encouraged it. While integration took longer for some, the overall consensus was clear: “DO IT.”
05. DEFINE
After analyzing all the data, I defined the following problem statement:
After analyzing all the data, I defined the following problem statement:
After analyzing all the data, I defined the following problem statement:
“Young adults seeking to pursue a master’s degree abroad
User Description
need to smoothly transition into life in a foreign country
Goal
because they face challenges like social isolation and cultural adjustment, which affects their emotional well-being.”
Insight
Then, the user persona naturally took shape:
Laura — A 24-year-old student moving to Madrid to pursue her master’s degree.
Quote: “I’m excited about this new chapter, but there’s so much to figure out that it feels daunting at times.”
Then, the user persona naturally took shape:
Laura — A 24-year-old student moving to Madrid to pursue her master’s degree.
Quote: “I’m excited about this new chapter, but there’s so much to figure out that it feels daunting at times.”
Then, the user persona naturally took shape:
Laura — A 24-year-old student moving to Madrid to pursue her master’s degree.
Quote: “I’m excited about this new chapter, but there’s so much to figure out that it feels daunting at times.”
06. IDEATE
After brainstorming multiple directions for the app, I prioritized features and determined the key functionalities:
After brainstorming multiple directions for the app, I prioritized features and determined the key functionalities:
After brainstorming multiple directions for the app, I prioritized features and determined the key functionalities:
Mood Tracker:
Enables users to log their daily mood and review weekly or monthly trends, helping them identify patterns and understand their emotional well-being over time.
Making Local Friends:
Facilitates connections with locals through in-app features to find and add friends, chat, plan activities, enhancing the sense of belonging and easing social integration.
Word of the Day:
Encourages users to learn the local language through simple, digestible daily vocabulary, making language learning approachable.
Cultural Events:
Personalized recommendations for local events based on user interests selected during onboarding, promoting cultural integration and discovery.
App Name & Branding:
Naming the app was a challenge, but when I came up with Smooothly (with three o’s), it felt like the perfect fit. The emphasis on the “ooo” circular shape became a central element of the brand identity. This playful and approachable touch reinforces the values of approachability, personalization, and friendliness that I aimed to convey.
Naming the app was a challenge, but when I came up with Smooothly (with three o’s), it felt like the perfect fit. The emphasis on the “ooo” circular shape became a central element of the brand identity. This playful and approachable touch reinforces the values of approachability, personalization, and friendliness that I aimed to convey.
Naming the app was a challenge, but when I came up with Smooothly (with three o’s), it felt like the perfect fit. The emphasis on the “ooo” circular shape became a central element of the brand identity. This playful and approachable touch reinforces the values of approachability, personalization, and friendliness that I aimed to convey.
I also introduced a friendly circular avatar that appears throughout the app, created in Adobe Illustrator with several color variations to add warmth and personality.
Visual Competitive Analysis:
While there aren’t direct competitors focusing solely on expat transitions, I studied indirect competitors to analyze:
Color schemes
Shapes and elements used
Tone of voice
Use of space
Typefaces
I observed several key design trends that influenced my design choices:
Affirmations: Many apps integrate affirmations or positive messages, adding a friendly, uplifting touch that encourages users to stay engaged and motivated.
Affirmations: Many apps integrate affirmations or positive messages, adding a friendly, uplifting touch that encourages users to stay engaged and motivated.
Affirmations: Many apps integrate affirmations or positive messages, adding a friendly, uplifting touch that encourages users to stay engaged and motivated.
Purple as a relaxing color: Purple is often associated with calmness and relaxation, which is important for emotional well-being, especially during stressful transitions.
Purple as a relaxing color: Purple is often associated with calmness and relaxation, which is important for emotional well-being, especially during stressful transitions.
Purple as a relaxing color: Purple is often associated with calmness and relaxation, which is important for emotional well-being, especially during stressful transitions.
Soft-edged buttons: Many competitors use soft-edged elements, which are visually more approachable and less jarring compared to sharp corners.
Soft-edged buttons: Many competitors use soft-edged elements, which are visually more approachable and less jarring compared to sharp corners.
Soft-edged buttons: Many competitors use soft-edged elements, which are visually more approachable and less jarring compared to sharp corners.
White, breathable space: Clear space is essential for clarity and focus, and this minimalist approach allows users to breathe and navigate without feeling overwhelmed.
White, breathable space: Clear space is essential for clarity and focus, and this minimalist approach allows users to breathe and navigate without feeling overwhelmed.
White, breathable space: Clear space is essential for clarity and focus, and this minimalist approach allows users to breathe and navigate without feeling overwhelmed.
Rounded typefaces: A rounded typeface is generally seen as more friendly and welcoming, aligning with the app’s values of approachability and support.
Rounded typefaces: A rounded typeface is generally seen as more friendly and welcoming, aligning with the app’s values of approachability and support.
Rounded typefaces: A rounded typeface is generally seen as more friendly and welcoming, aligning with the app’s values of approachability and support.
Circular, smooth edges: Rounded shapes, as opposed to sharp corners, evoke a sense of safety and warmth, creating a smoother and more comfortable experience.
Circular, smooth edges: Rounded shapes, as opposed to sharp corners, evoke a sense of safety and warmth, creating a smoother and more comfortable experience.
Circular, smooth edges: Rounded shapes, as opposed to sharp corners, evoke a sense of safety and warmth, creating a smoother and more comfortable experience.
These design choices helped guide the aesthetic direction for Smooothly, ensuring that the final product was not only functional but also aligned with the brand’s core values.
This was when I delved into the design phase. It was surprising how quickly everything came together — I credited this to the thorough research I had conducted before diving into any design work. Although changes were definitely made along the way, from low-fidelity to high-fidelity designs, thanks to invaluable feedback. It helped me understand what areas needed improvement and gave me the direction needed to move forward effectively.
This was when I delved into the design phase. It was surprising how quickly everything came together — I credited this to the thorough research I had conducted before diving into any design work. Although changes were definitely made along the way, from low-fidelity to high-fidelity designs, thanks to invaluable feedback. It helped me understand what areas needed improvement and gave me the direction needed to move forward effectively.
This was when I delved into the design phase. It was surprising how quickly everything came together — I credited this to the thorough research I had conducted before diving into any design work. Although changes were definitely made along the way, from low-fidelity to high-fidelity designs, thanks to invaluable feedback. It helped me understand what areas needed improvement and gave me the direction needed to move forward effectively.
Brand Identity & Desirability Testing:
After completing the design of the home page, I conducted desirability testing with 6 users to ensure that the app's intended brand perception was in line with how users actually perceived it.
After completing the design of the home page, I conducted desirability testing with 6 users to ensure that the app's intended brand perception was in line with how users actually perceived it.
After completing the design of the home page, I conducted desirability testing with 6 users to ensure that the app's intended brand perception was in line with how users actually perceived it.
Brand Values (that I aimed for):
Brand Values (that I aimed for):
Brand Values (that I aimed for):
Friendly
Approachable
Personalized
Straightforward
The feedback was strongly positive, with nearly 70% of users highlighting the app’s friendly vibe, validating the brand perception I was aiming for.
The feedback was strongly positive, with nearly 70% of users highlighting the app’s friendly vibe, validating the brand perception I was aiming for.
The feedback was strongly positive, with nearly 70% of users highlighting the app’s friendly vibe, validating the brand perception I was aiming for.
To determine the most relevant questions for the onboarding screens of Smooothly, I worked backward from the app's features.
Since the app includes a cultural integration feature that provides users with local event information, I knew I needed to ask about their interests. For instance, if a tech event is happening in the city but the user is an artist, why would it be relevant to them? Knowing their interests will help tailor recommendations that match their preferences.
Since the app includes a cultural integration feature that provides users with local event information, I knew I needed to ask about their interests. For instance, if a tech event is happening in the city but the user is an artist, why would it be relevant to them? Knowing their interests will help tailor recommendations that match their preferences.
Since the app includes a cultural integration feature that provides users with local event information, I knew I needed to ask about their interests. For instance, if a tech event is happening in the city but the user is an artist, why would it be relevant to them? Knowing their interests will help tailor recommendations that match their preferences.
Similarly, I needed to gather information about the user's city of origin and their destination. This is essential for the “Word of the Day” feature, as it allows the adaptation of the vocabulary based on the language of the city they are moving to.
Similarly, I needed to gather information about the user's city of origin and their destination. This is essential for the “Word of the Day” feature, as it allows the adaptation of the vocabulary based on the language of the city they are moving to.
Similarly, I needed to gather information about the user's city of origin and their destination. This is essential for the “Word of the Day” feature, as it allows the adaptation of the vocabulary based on the language of the city they are moving to.
Additionally, asking users how they are feeling about the move will help personalize the "Affirmation of the Day" feature. By understanding their emotional state, the app can provide affirmations that offer support during their transition.
Additionally, asking users how they are feeling about the move will help personalize the "Affirmation of the Day" feature. By understanding their emotional state, the app can provide affirmations that offer support during their transition.
Additionally, asking users how they are feeling about the move will help personalize the "Affirmation of the Day" feature. By understanding their emotional state, the app can provide affirmations that offer support during their transition.
07. PROTOTYPE AND TEST
Here’s how the app looked after prototyping all the iterated designs—now a friendly and intuitive interface!
Onboarding Screens
Onboarding Screens
The inviting and approachable tone starts in the onboarding process. Each question is paired with a reaction or fun fact based on the user’s input.
For example, after entering their birthday, the next screen includes a fun reference to it. This feature continues throughout onboarding, creating an engaging and personalized experience.
The inviting and approachable tone starts in the onboarding process. Each question is paired with a reaction or fun fact based on the user’s input.
For example, after entering their birthday, the next screen includes a fun reference to it. This feature continues throughout onboarding, creating an engaging and personalized experience.
The inviting and approachable tone starts in the onboarding process. Each question is paired with a reaction or fun fact based on the user’s input.
For example, after entering their birthday, the next screen includes a fun reference to it. This feature continues throughout onboarding, creating an engaging and personalized experience.
Home Page
Home Page
The home page brings together all the key features in one place: mood tracking, daily affirmations, personalized event recommendations, word of the day, fun fact of the day, and accomplishments.
It serves as a central hub where users can get an overview at a glance while seamlessly navigating to other sections for more details if needed.
The home page brings together all the key features in one place: mood tracking, daily affirmations, personalized event recommendations, word of the day, fun fact of the day, and accomplishments.
It serves as a central hub where users can get an overview at a glance while seamlessly navigating to other sections for more details if needed.
The home page brings together all the key features in one place: mood tracking, daily affirmations, personalized event recommendations, word of the day, fun fact of the day, and accomplishments.
It serves as a central hub where users can get an overview at a glance while seamlessly navigating to other sections for more details if needed.
Journal My Thoughts
Journal My Thoughts
This feature encourages users to journal within the app, linking their entries to the mood rating they selected (on a scale of 1 to 10).
This way, they can look back and reflect on what influenced their emotions on a given day, helping them recognize patterns and gain deeper self-awareness over time.
This feature encourages users to journal within the app, linking their entries to the mood rating they selected (on a scale of 1 to 10).
This way, they can look back and reflect on what influenced their emotions on a given day, helping them recognize patterns and gain deeper self-awareness over time.
This feature encourages users to journal within the app, linking their entries to the mood rating they selected (on a scale of 1 to 10).
This way, they can look back and reflect on what influenced their emotions on a given day, helping them recognize patterns and gain deeper self-awareness over time.
My Emotional Progress
My Emotional Progress
This is Smooothly’s core feature—over time, individual daily mood inputs are analyzed and visualized in a chart. This helps users identify patterns across different days of the week, compare weekly and monthly trends, and gain deeper insights into their emotional well-being.
Additionally, the app provides personalized motivational tips based on the chart, offering encouragement regardless of the user’s progress.
This is Smooothly’s core feature—over time, individual daily mood inputs are analyzed and visualized in a chart. This helps users identify patterns across different days of the week, compare weekly and monthly trends, and gain deeper insights into their emotional well-being.
Additionally, the app provides personalized motivational tips based on the chart, offering encouragement regardless of the user’s progress.
This is Smooothly’s core feature—over time, individual daily mood inputs are analyzed and visualized in a chart. This helps users identify patterns across different days of the week, compare weekly and monthly trends, and gain deeper insights into their emotional well-being.
Additionally, the app provides personalized motivational tips based on the chart, offering encouragement regardless of the user’s progress.
My Language Progress
My Language Progress
This feature helps expats learn practical words that they can immediately use in daily conversations.
Users can listen to the correct pronunciation and request a review of all previously learned words for reinforcement.
This feature helps expats learn practical words that they can immediately use in daily conversations.
Users can listen to the correct pronunciation and request a review of all previously learned words for reinforcement.
This feature helps expats learn practical words that they can immediately use in daily conversations.
Users can listen to the correct pronunciation and request a review of all previously learned words for reinforcement.
My Accomplishments
My Accomplishments
Daily challenges encourage users to step out of their comfort zones and "put themselves out there," a tip that frequently emerged in interview recommendations.
Users can also manually add personal accomplishments, fostering a sense of achievement.
They can revisit all their challenges, filter completed ones suggested by the app, or view only those they added themselves.
Daily challenges encourage users to step out of their comfort zones and "put themselves out there," a tip that frequently emerged in interview recommendations.
Users can also manually add personal accomplishments, fostering a sense of achievement.
They can revisit all their challenges, filter completed ones suggested by the app, or view only those they added themselves.
Daily challenges encourage users to step out of their comfort zones and "put themselves out there," a tip that frequently emerged in interview recommendations.
Users can also manually add personal accomplishments, fostering a sense of achievement.
They can revisit all their challenges, filter completed ones suggested by the app, or view only those they added themselves.
My Friends
My Friends
A key piece of advice from expats during interviews was to connect with locals rather than only befriending people from the same culture.
This feature helps users find local friends by filtering based on gender, age, and location. It also allows them to start a chat and potentially plan meetups, making cultural integration smoother and more meaningful.
A key piece of advice from expats during interviews was to connect with locals rather than only befriending people from the same culture.
This feature helps users find local friends by filtering based on gender, age, and location. It also allows them to start a chat and potentially plan meetups, making cultural integration smoother and more meaningful.
A key piece of advice from expats during interviews was to connect with locals rather than only befriending people from the same culture.
This feature helps users find local friends by filtering based on gender, age, and location. It also allows them to start a chat and potentially plan meetups, making cultural integration smoother and more meaningful.
To meet the requirements, I designed screens for an additional device. I chose the Apple Watch, a widely used accessory, as it provides a seamless way for users to log their daily mood on the go and view daily affirmations for a quick emotional boost. This integration makes tracking emotional well-being effortless, even on a busy day.
To meet the requirements, I designed screens for an additional device. I chose the Apple Watch, a widely used accessory, as it provides a seamless way for users to log their daily mood on the go and view daily affirmations for a quick emotional boost. This integration makes tracking emotional well-being effortless, even on a busy day.
To meet the requirements, I designed screens for an additional device. I chose the Apple Watch, a widely used accessory, as it provides a seamless way for users to log their daily mood on the go and view daily affirmations for a quick emotional boost. This integration makes tracking emotional well-being effortless, even on a busy day.
Final Apple Watch Prototype
08. STYLE TILE
Components
Components
Typography
Imagery
Colors
System Grid
09. KEY LEARNINGS & NEXT STEPS
Creating Smooothly has been a deeply personal and rewarding journey, especially as a fresh expat still navigating my own integration.
While most of the app is already designed, my next steps involve refining the remaining elements, iterating based on further user feedback, and ideally collaborating with a developer to bring it to life!
10. FINAL MOBILE APP PROTOTYPE
(Sound on! I’m walking you through this prototype)
10. FINAL MOBILE APP PROTOTYPE
(Sound on! I’m walking you through this prototype)
10. FINAL MOBILE APP PROTOTYPE
(Sound on! I’m walking you through this prototype)
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Ⓒ 2025 Sandra Fayad. All right reserved.
Ⓒ 2025 Sandra Fayad. All right reserved.
Ⓒ 2025 Sandra Fayad. All right reserved.