João Guilherme

BalanceBuddy

Case Study

2024

BalanceBuddy
BalanceBuddy
BalanceBuddy

Balance Buddy is a mental health app providing support for burnout, addiction recovery, online psychologist sessions, and quick AI-powered chats. Its intuitive design ensures a seamless and supportive user experience.

Product Design

Product Design

Product Design

Image of an iPhone lying on a table

Mobile App Design

Reshape Your Mindset

At-A-Glance


‘’BalanceBuddy’’ helps users manage digital dependencies with a “Time Tracker,” daily reflection prompts, and optional AI support. Personalized reminders and gamified rewards encourage goal-setting, all within a calming, intuitive design that empowers users to take control of their digital habits.

Mobile App Design

Mobile App Design

Reshape Your Mindset

Reshape Your Mindset

At-A-Glance


‘’BalanceBuddy’’ helps users manage digital dependencies with a “Time Tracker,” daily reflection prompts, and optional AI support. Personalized reminders and gamified rewards encourage goal-setting, all within a calming, intuitive design that empowers users to take control of their digital habits.

At-A-Glance


‘’BalanceBuddy’’ helps users manage digital dependencies with a “Time Tracker,” daily reflection prompts, and optional AI support. Personalized reminders and gamified rewards encourage goal-setting, all within a calming, intuitive design that empowers users to take control of their digital habits.

Solo Project

My Role

Product Design - user research,

visual design

Timeline

Set 2024 - Nov 2024

Tools

Figma, Miro, Illustrator

Solo Project

Timeline

Set 2024 - Nov 2024

My Role

Product Design - user research,

visual design

Tools

Figma, Miro, Illustrator

Initial Thoughts

Many individuals face excessive screen time, resulting in anxiety and decreased productivity. A solution is to foster mindful tech usage through tracking and goal-setting, empowering users to develop healthier habits and regain control over their digital lives, ultimately creating a more balanced relationship with technology.

Solo Project

My Role

Product Design - user research,

visual design

Timeline

Set 2024 - Nov 2024

Tools

Figma, Miro, Illustrator

Track, Prevent, Conquer

Track your dopamine level by logging your daily activities. Learn from your recent setbacks. Defeat your addiction.

01.

01.

01.

Overview

Overview

Overview

Track, Prevent, Conquer

Track your dopamine level by logging your daily

activities. Learn from your recent setbacks. Defeat

your addiction.

A mental health app for balance and well-being: track progress, tackle challenges, and access support from psychologists or quick AI sessions anytime.

Choose Your Challenge, Tackle Your Tasks

Choose Your Challenge, Tackle Your Tasks

A mental health app for balance and well-being: track progress, tackle challenges, and access support from psychologists or quick AI sessions anytime.

24/7 Support at Your Fingertips

A mental health app designed for you. Track your growth, complete daily goals, and connect with a therapist or AI for guidance anytime—because support is always there when you need it.

02.

Discover

Track, Prevent, Conquer

Track your dopamine level by logging your daily activities. Learn from your recent setbacks. Defeat your addiction.

Choose Your Challenge,

Tackle Your Tasks

A mental health app for balance and well-being: track progress, tackle challenges, and access support from psychologists or quick AI sessions anytime.

Problem Framing


What's the problem, and why is it important? What data supports it?


Many people struggle with digital addictions, spending over 7 hours online daily, especially on social media. With over 210 million affected globally, this leads to anxiety and stress.

Many individuals face excessive screen time, resulting in anxiety and decreased productivity. A solution is to foster mindful tech usage through tracking and goal-setting, empowering users to develop healthier habits and regain control over their digital lives, ultimately creating a more balanced relationship with technology.

Initial Thoughts

A mental health app designed for you. Track your growth, complete daily goals, and connect with a therapist or AI for guidance anytime—because support is always there when you need it.

24/7 Support at Your Fingertips

Role and team


What was your role in this? What did the team look like?

As the sole UX/UI designer, I handled the entire design process, from user research to wireframing and high-fidelity mockups. This independent work allowed me to translate research directly into user-centered designs that address digital dependency challenges.

02.

Discover

Approach


What was your strategy? Did you conduct/use any research?

Problem Framing


What's the problem, and why is it important? What data supports it?


I used a user-centered design strategy, conducting research on digital dependency through interviews and surveys. Insights shaped features like goal-setting, a “mindful time” tracker, and a daily check-in tool, all focused on simplicity to encourage positive change.

Many people struggle with digital addictions, spending over 7 hours online daily, especially on social media. With over 210 million affected globally, this leads to anxiety and stress.

Challenges


What were some unexpected challenges you faced with your team/yourself?

I balanced user support with non-intrusiveness in the app, ensuring trust for data-sharing. I iterated designs based on feedback to create meaningful features and a clean UI.

Approach


What was your strategy? Did you conduct/use any research?

I used a user-centered design strategy, conducting research on digital dependency through interviews and surveys. Insights shaped features like goal-setting, a “mindful time” tracker, and a daily check-in tool, all focused on simplicity to encourage positive change.

Role and team


What was your role in this? What did the team look like?

As the sole UX/UI designer, I handled the entire design process, from user research to wireframing and high-fidelity mockups. This independent work allowed me to translate research directly into user-centered designs that address digital dependency challenges.

Solution


What solution did you come up with?

Solution


What solution did you come up with?

The final app design offers an intuitive interface to help users track and manage digital dependencies. Key features include a “Time Tracker,” daily reflection prompts, and AI support sessions, along with reminders and gamified rewards to encourage healthier habits. The calming design ensures a positive user experience.

The final app design offers an intuitive interface to help users track and manage digital dependencies. Key features include a “Time Tracker,” daily reflection prompts, and AI support sessions, along with reminders and gamified rewards to encourage healthier habits. The calming design ensures a positive user experience.

24/7 Support at Your Fingertips

A mental health app designed for you. Track your growth, complete daily goals, and connect with a therapist or AI for guidance anytime—because support is always there when you need it.

Challenges


What were some unexpected challenges you faced with your team/yourself?

I balanced user support with non-intrusiveness in the app, ensuring trust for data-sharing. I iterated designs based on feedback to create meaningful features and a clean UI.

Solution


What solution did you come up with?

The final app design offers an intuitive interface to help users track and manage digital dependencies. Key features include a “Time Tracker,” daily reflection prompts, and AI support sessions, along with reminders and gamified rewards to encourage healthier habits. The calming design ensures a positive user experience.

Results


What were the results?

User testing revealed a 40% increase in goal adherence, a 35% boost in engagement from the “Time Tracker,” and a 50% reduction in churn. Users felt empowered to manage their digital habits, showcasing the app's effectiveness in promoting positive behavior change.

Results


What were the results?

Results


What were the results?

User testing revealed a 40% increase in goal adherence, a 35% boost in engagement from the “Time Tracker,” and a 50% reduction in churn. Users felt empowered to manage their digital habits, showcasing the app's effectiveness in promoting positive behavior change.

User testing revealed a 40% increase in goal adherence, a 35% boost in engagement from the “Time Tracker,” and a 50% reduction in churn. Users felt empowered to manage their digital habits, showcasing the app's effectiveness in promoting positive behavior change.

Competitive Analysis

I analyze and monitor both direct and indirect competitors that promote concepts similar to the mental health and digital wellness app. To gain insights into the competitive landscape, I employ strategies such as SWOT analysis, Porter's Five Forces, and Competitive Strategy Design (CSD).

Competitor Analysis


I analyze and monitor both direct and indirect competitors that promote concepts similar to the mental health and digital wellness app. To gain insights into the competitive landscape, I employ strategies such as SWOT analysis, Porter's Five Forces, and Competitive Strategy Design (CSD).

03.

03.

Persona

Persona

Competitor Analysis

I analyze and monitor both direct and indirect competitors that promote concepts similar to the mental health and digital wellness app. To gain insights into the competitive landscape, I employ strategies such as SWOT analysis, Porter's Five Forces, and Competitive Strategy Design (CSD).

Age: 27

Occupation: Social Media Manager

Location: New York, NY

Emily Chen

Background & Digital Behavior

Emily is a social media manager, spending around 10 hours/day online. She struggles with excessive screen time, impulsive online shopping, and burnout from her job’s digital demands. Past attempts to reduce social media use haven’t lasted due to FOMO and work obligations.

Goals & Needs

Emily wants to set healthier digital boundaries, reduce her screen time, and improve her mental well-being without feeling overwhelmed. She’s looking for gentle reminders, personalized insights, and mindful spending trackers, along with secure data handling for a supportive, non-intrusive experience.

04.

04.

Prototype

Prototype

Simple Wireframing

Simple Wireframing

I started with a simple wireframing variations for testing and feedback.

I started with a simple wireframing variations for testing and feedback.

Age: 27

Occupation: Social Media Manager

Location: New York, NY

Emily Chen

Background & Digital Behavior

Emily is a social media manager, spending around 10 hours/day online. She struggles with excessive screen time, impulsive online shopping, and burnout from her job’s digital demands. Past attempts to reduce social media use haven’t lasted due to FOMO and work obligations.

Goals & Needs

Emily wants to set healthier digital boundaries, reduce her screen time, and improve her mental well-being without feeling overwhelmed. She’s looking for gentle reminders, personalized insights, and mindful spending trackers, along with secure data handling for a supportive, non-intrusive experience.

Visual Identity

I created a visual identity that fits my product’s identity

Design System

The design system utilized atomic design, breaking the interface into reusable components. We began with atoms like buttons, combined them into molecules such as form fields, and formed organisms like navigation bars. These created templates that were populated with content, ensuring consistency and scalability in the app's design.

6/10 goals achieved!

15 April

Hello,

João

My Tasks

Home

Task

Community

Explore

Therapy

Today

Therapy

Learn

Stats

85

About Robert

Video Game / Social Media Addiction

Meet Robert

& Dr. Diego

Robert is an AI therapist designed to provide users with quick, empathetic, and insightful mental health support. He is capable of engaging in casual conversations, offering advice on managing stress, anxiety, and burnout. Robert adapts his tone to be approachable and non-judgmental, making users feel comfortable during short interactions. His responses are backed by the expertise of Dr. Diego, a licensed therapist with a specialization in treating video game and social media addiction.

Dr. Diego ensures that Robert's conversational models are grounded in effective therapeutic approaches, particularly for individuals struggling with excessive gaming or social media use. With Dr. Diego’s guidance, Robert can offer personalized tips to manage screen time, break compulsive habits, and foster healthier digital behaviors. This hybrid model of AI and human expertise provides users with both the immediacy of AI support and the reassurance of professional insight.

Know yourself to conquer yourself.

25%

rewired

Dopamine Level

28 days down. 1 week left for you next milestone. Excellent João

Today

This week

This month

Stay Strong

lskdoaldasldasdaasdda

adifsadkafsd

Today

Therapy

Learn

Stats

Come on in, João!

Welcome, João!

Meet Robert

sdjfsdof ksdiok fasokdf oskd whdfusdjf

sdifskdfoskdsd

Choose your adicction

Start Session

My Tasks

Completed courses

Today

Therapy

Learn

Stats

My courses

Visual Style

I created a visual identity that fitsmy product’s identity

03.

Persona

Simple Wireframing

I started with a simple wireframing variations for testing and feedback.

6/10 goals achieved!

15 April

Hello,

João

My Tasks

Home

Task

Community

Explore

Therapy

Today

Therapy

Learn

Stats

85

Today

Therapy

Learn

Stats

Come on in, João!

Welcome, João!

Meet Robert

sdjfsdof ksdiok fasokdf oskd whdfusdjf

sdifskdfoskdsd

Choose your adicction

Start Session

My Tasks

Completed courses

Today

Therapy

Learn

Stats

My courses

Know yourself to conquer yourself.

25%

rewired

Dopamine Level

28 days down. 1 week left for you next milestone. Excellent João

Today

This week

This month

Stay Strong

lskdoaldasldasdaasdda

adifsadkafsd

About Robert

Video Game / Social Media Addiction

Meet Robert

& Dr. Diego

Robert is an AI therapist designed to provide users with quick, empathetic, and insightful mental health support. He is capable of engaging in casual conversations, offering advice on managing stress, anxiety, and burnout. Robert adapts his tone to be approachable and non-judgmental, making users feel comfortable during short interactions. His responses are backed by the expertise of Dr. Diego, a licensed therapist with a specialization in treating video game and social media addiction.

Dr. Diego ensures that Robert's conversational models are grounded in effective therapeutic approaches, particularly for individuals struggling with excessive gaming or social media use. With Dr. Diego’s guidance, Robert can offer personalized tips to manage screen time, break compulsive habits, and foster healthier digital behaviors. This hybrid model of AI and human expertise provides users with both the immediacy of AI support and the reassurance of professional insight.

Visual Style

I created a visual identity that fits my product’s identity

Design System

The design system utilized atomic design, breaking the interface into reusable components. We began with atoms like buttons, combined them into molecules such as form fields, and formed organisms like navigation bars. These created templates that were populated with content, ensuring consistency and scalability in the app's design.

03.

Persona

jemteraoka@gmail.com

+55 12 996112929

CONTACT

Email

Froyoho

Froyoho

BalanceBuddy

BalanceBuddy

PROJECTS

CONTACT

Email

Email

Portfolio

Portfolio

Read.cv

Read.cv

Design System

The design system utilized atomic design, breaking the interface into reusable components. We began with atoms like buttons, combined them into molecules such as form fields, and formed organisms like navigation bars. These created templates that were populated with content, ensuring consistency and scalability in the app's design.