Background

Background

KYŌ was a cross-platform journaling app designed to help users improve mental clarity, lower anxiety, and stimulate creativity. It was available on both iOS and Android, KYŌ stood out in the crowded field of productivity apps through its unique blend of user-friendly features and a soothing, motivational design.

Our app garnered significant recognition, including being named "App of the Day" by Apple, "Product of the Day" by Product Hunt, and listed among "New Apps We Love" by Apple. It holds a commendable rating of 4.2 in the App Store.

KYŌ was a cross-platform journaling app designed to help users improve mental clarity, lower anxiety, and stimulate creativity. It was available on both iOS and Android, KYŌ stood out in the crowded field of productivity apps through its unique blend of user-friendly features and a soothing, motivational design.

Our app garnered significant recognition, including being named "App of the Day" by Apple, "Product of the Day" by Product Hunt, and listed among "New Apps We Love" by Apple. It holds a commendable rating of 4.2 in the App Store.
 

UI Design Approach

UI Design Approach

Our goal was to create a visually appealing and intuitive interface that would encourage users to make journaling a daily habit. Key design elements included a calming color palette consisting of soft, pastel colors which were chosen to create a serene environment. In addition to a minimalist layout. A clean and uncluttered layout to avoid overwhelming the user. 

Our goal was to create a visually appealing and intuitive interface that would encourage users to make journaling a daily habit. Key design elements included a calming color palette consisting of soft, pastel colors which were chosen to create a serene environment. In addition to a minimalist layout. A clean and uncluttered layout to avoid overwhelming the user. 
 

User Journey

User Journey 

Creating an intuitive and seamless user flow was essential to ensuring that users could easily navigate and utilize KYŌ’s features. The primary user flow begins with the onboarding process, where users are introduced to the app’s core functionalities through a series of introductory screens. After onboarding, users can immediately start a new journal entry or explore past entries through the main dashboard.

Creating an intuitive and seamless user flow was essential to ensuring that users could easily navigate and utilize KYŌ’s features. The primary user flow begins with the onboarding process, where users are introduced to the app’s core functionalities through a series of introductory screens. After onboarding, users can immediately start a new journal entry or explore past entries through the main dashboard.
 

App Structure

App Structure

The initial phase of our design process involved creating detailed wireframes to map out the app’s structure and user interface. These wireframes served as blueprints, illustrating the placement of elements and the overall layout of each screen. We created low-fidelity wireframes to outline the basic structure and high-fidelity wireframes to refine the design details. The main dashboard wireframe focused on a clean and simple layout, with prominent buttons for creating new entries and accessing past journals.

The journal entry screen wireframe included placeholders for text input, photo addition, and audio recording, arranged intuitively to facilitate ease of use. The customization options and security features were strategically placed to be accessible yet unobtrusive. These wireframes were iteratively refined based on user feedback and usability testing to ensure the final design was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The initial phase of our design process involved creating detailed wireframes to map out the app’s structure and user interface. These wireframes served as blueprints, illustrating the placement of elements and the overall layout of each screen. We created low-fidelity wireframes to outline the basic structure and high-fidelity wireframes to refine the design details. The main dashboard wireframe focused on a clean and simple layout, with prominent buttons for creating new entries and accessing past journals.

The journal entry screen wireframe included placeholders for text input, photo addition, and audio recording, arranged intuitively to facilitate ease of use. The customization options and security features were strategically placed to be accessible yet unobtrusive. These wireframes were iteratively refined based on user feedback and usability testing to ensure the final design was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
 

Results

Results

After launch, the app gained traction. Being named "App of the Day" by Apple and "Product of the Day" by Product Hunt highlighted KYŌ's innovative design and user-friendly features. Additionally, being featured among Apple's "New Apps We Love" showcased KYŌ as a must-have tool for personal development and mental well-being. 

It was well-received by users, achieving a 4.2-star rating in the App Store. The positive feedback and high ratings underscore the app's success in meeting its objectives and delivering a valuable user experience.

After launch, the app gained traction. Being named "App of the Day" by Apple and "Product of the Day" by Product Hunt highlighted KYŌ's innovative design and user-friendly features. Additionally, being featured among Apple's "New Apps We Love" showcased KYŌ as a must-have tool for personal development and mental well-being. 

It was well-received by users, achieving a 4.2-star rating in the App Store. The positive feedback and high ratings underscore the app's success in meeting its objectives and delivering a valuable user experience.
 

Agency: Pound & Grain
Client: KYŌ
Creative Director: Graham MacInnes
UX: Andrés Navas

Agency: Pound & Grain
Year: 2016
Client: KYŌ
Creative Director: Graham MacInnes
UX: Andrés Navas