Kalem - Note App for Managing Anxiety

a secure, user-friendly note-taking app specifically designed to help manage anxiety through quick and easy journaling and reflection.

Role

UI/UX Designer

Industries

Lifestyle

Company

Apple Developer Academy

Timeframe

July 2024 (2 Weeks)

Project Background πŸ“š

Kalem originated from a product brief provided by the product owner to our team. The product brief included a well-defined persona and a product scope to guide the development process. The brief required us to create a secure, user-friendly note-taking app specifically designed to help manage anxiety through quick and easy journaling and reflection. Additionally, the app needed to focus on integration into daily life and cater to individuals engaging in diving-related activities.

The project was driven by the understanding that anxiety management tools need to be accessible, intuitive, and adaptable to everyday routines. By combining mental well-being features with activities like divingβ€”known for promoting mindfulness and calmβ€”Kalem aims to provide a unique and holistic solution to help users better manage their anxiety.

Project Details πŸ“

User Stories (Epics):

  • Epic 1: Quick Anxiety Check-In

    • As Lisa, I want to quickly log my anxiety levels and associated thoughts, especially before diving sessions, so I can track and manage my mental state efficiently.

  • Epic 2: Progress Tracking and Insights

    • As Lisa, I want to view trends in my anxiety levels and common themes in my notes, so I can identify patterns and triggers over time.

  • Epic 3: Expressive Writing Tool

    • As Lisa, I want a simple interface for unstructured, expressive writing about my worries, so I can "offload" anxious thoughts as suggested by research.

  • Epic 4: Easy to pickup

    • As Lisa, I want the app to integrate into my daily routine easily so that it enhances my productivity without adding stress.

    Design Brief

    Design Resources:

    Design Considerations:

    • Color and Contrast:

      • Avoid overwhelming users with too many colors; keep the palette simple and consistent.

      • Ensure high contrast ratio for readability.

    • Dark Mode Support: Ensure all elements are legible in dark mode.

    • Typography: Use SF Pro Text for all text elements.

Key Problem πŸ”‘

πŸ’‘ How to make a secure, user-friendly note-taking app specifically designed to help manage anxiety through quick, easy journaling and reflection.

πŸ’‘ How to make a secure, user-friendly note-taking app specifically designed to help manage anxiety through quick, easy journaling and reflection.

My Roles & Responsibilities πŸ™Œ

  1. Design Research:

  • Conducted user research to understand the needs and challenges of individuals managing anxiety.

  • Analyzed competitor apps to identify gaps and opportunities in existing solutions.

  1. User Experience Design:

  • Developed intuitive user flows to ensure the app was easy to navigate and accessible.

  1. User Interface Design:

  • Created wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs with a calming aesthetic.

  • Implemented a design system with reusable components to maintain consistency across the app.

The Solution that We Chose is… 🧭

πŸ’‘ Kalem provides all user stories that the product owner needs.

πŸ’‘ Kalem provides all user stories that the product owner needs.

Our Lo-Fi and User Flow πŸ“±

We sketch the lo-fi and list down some features that we want to give to solve the user persona problem based on the product brief from product owner.

Kalem Features ☺️

Kalem's Key Features:


  1. Voice Record – Express Your Thoughts with Ease
    The Voice Record feature allows users to capture their thoughts and emotions instantly without typing. This helps in expressing feelings more freely and preserving the nuances of emotions that might be difficult to put into words.

  2. To-Do List – Stay Organized Every Day
    The To-Do List helps users structure their daily tasks and set priorities, ensuring a balance between productivity and mental well-being. With an intuitive interface, users can easily add, edit, and complete their tasks.

  3. Event – Plan and Remember Important Moments
    The Event feature enables users to schedule important activities, such as meditation sessions, meetings, or personal breaks, ensuring a well-balanced daily routine. Smart reminders help users stay on track without missing any key moments.

  4. Notes – Write Freely to Ease Stress
    The Notes feature provides a personal space for journaling, daily reflections, or emotional expression with full flexibility. Users can jot down their thoughts, helping them identify patterns and manage anxiety more effectively.


Kalem is designed to offer an easy, intuitive, and supportive experience for mental well-being, ensuring that users can seamlessly integrate it into their daily lives. 🌿✨

Dark Mode in Kalem: A Comfortable and Immersive Experience


Kalem supports Dark Mode to provide a calmer, more comfortable visual experience, especially in low-light environments. This feature helps reduce eye strain, conserve battery life, and create a soothing ambiance that aligns with the app’s purpose of promoting mental well-being.

Key Benefits of Dark Mode in Kalem:

πŸ”Ή Reduces Eye Strain – Soft, dimmed colors help ease visual fatigue, making it easier to journal and reflect for extended periods.
πŸ”Ή Enhances Focus – A darker interface minimizes distractions, allowing users to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions.
πŸ”Ή Supports Battery Efficiency – On OLED screens, Dark Mode helps save battery life by reducing power consumption.
πŸ”Ή Adaptive UI for Seamless Experience – Kalem’s Dark Mode maintains high contrast and readability, ensuring that all text and UI elements remain clear and accessible.


With Dark Mode, Kalem ensures a comfortable and immersive journaling experience, day or night. πŸŒ™βœ¨

Mood Check-In: Understand and Track Your Emotions


The Mood Check-In feature in Kalem helps users log their emotions in a simple and intuitive way, making it easier to recognize patterns and manage mental well-being over time. By checking in regularly, users can gain deeper self-awareness and identify what influences their mood.

Key Benefits of Mood Check-In:

πŸ”Ή Quick and Easy Logging – Users can select their current mood and add short notes to describe their feelings.
πŸ”Ή Track Emotional Patterns – The app visualizes mood trends over time, helping users understand their emotional triggers.
πŸ”Ή Encourages Self-Reflection – Journaling moods alongside voice notes or written entries allows for deeper insight into emotional well-being.
πŸ”Ή Personalized Insights – Over time, Kalem provides meaningful insights to help users recognize emotional cycles and improve mental resilience.

With Mood Check-In, Kalem empowers users to stay in touch with their emotions and take proactive steps toward better mental health. πŸ’™βœ¨

Widget: Instant Access to Your Mental Well-Being Tools


The Kalem Widget provides quick access to essential features right from the home screen, making it easier for users to stay consistent in managing their mental well-being without opening the app.


How It Relates to the User Story:

πŸ”Ή β€œAs Lisa, I want the app to integrate into my daily routine easily so that it enhances my productivity without adding stress.”
β†’ The widget allows Lisa to log her mood, add journal entries, and view to-do lists instantly, ensuring that Kalem seamlessly fits into her routine without feeling like an extra task.


πŸ”Ή β€œAs Lisa, I want to quickly log my anxiety levels and associated thoughts, especially before diving sessions.”
β†’ With the Mood Check-In widget, Lisa can track her emotions in just a tap, making it convenient to log her feelings anytime, anywhere.


πŸ”Ή β€œAs Lisa, I want a simple interface for unstructured, expressive writing about my worries.”
β†’ The Notes widget lets Lisa jot down thoughts instantly, providing a space for quick emotional release without opening the full app.


With Kalem's Widget, users can stay mindful, organized, and in control of their emotionsβ€”all from their home screen. 🌿✨

App Store Preview ✨

What I learned from this project πŸ€”

My lovely team ☺️