Designing a Simple and Motivating Habit Tracker App
A personal project created with a developer to build a clean and easy-to-use mobile app that helps people stay on track with their daily habits.
2 People (Designer & Developer)
Jan 2024 - June 2024
UX/UI Design, Research, Prototyping
IOS/Android
Tools Used
Figma, Slack, Figjam, Trello
Challenge
Most habit tracker apps are either too complex or feel like games. Many users just want something simple that helps them build habits and track their progress easily. We wanted to design an app that feels calm, is fast to use, and helps people stay motivated every day.
Goals
Make it very easy to add and manage habits
Show progress in a simple, visual way
Help users stay consistent with small, smart design details
Keep the look clean and friendly
Process
Research & Analysis
Since this was my first time working on a habit tracker app, I spent a lot of time learning how these apps function. I looked closely at popular apps like Loop Habit Tracker and Habit Tracker on iOS. I also read through hundreds of user reviews on the App Store and Google Play, and explored discussions on Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram to understand what users liked and what caused frustration. One important insight I found was that many habit trackers are not very accessible for neurodivergent users, especially those with ADHD or autism. This shaped many of our design decisions to focus on clarity, calmness, and ease of use for all types of users.
Sketching & Wireframes
We began the project with low-fidelity sketches on paper to explore layout ideas and map out the user journey. This early step helped us quickly visualize different directions before jumping into digital tools.
High-Fidelity Design
Once we felt confident in our structure and layout, I moved into Figma to build high-fidelity designs. These screens were more polished and allowed us to fine-tune the user interface with an emphasis on simplicity and accessibility. I kept all of our research, ideas, and progress organized on a FigJam board throughout the process.
User Testing & Feedback
After completing the high-fidelity designs, we shared the prototype with people from our network for testing. The feedback helped us spot areas that needed improvement and refine the experience further. Our main goal was to get the app ready for a public beta launch by the end of the year, so testing played a key role in making sure the product was clear, helpful, and user friendly.
Final Design
We included:
A home screen showing all habits
An easy way to add new habits
Simple progress stats
A streak tracker for motivation
Also included:
Light and dark mode
Small animations when users check in
Friendly messages for encouragement
Conclusion
Although the app hasn’t been released yet, this project was a big step forward in my growth as a UX designer. It gave me hands-on experience with everything from early research and accessibility considerations to user testing and high-fidelity prototyping. Working closely with a developer also helped me better understand how design and development work together in a real project. One of the most valuable takeaways was learning how to design for different types of users, especially those with ADHD and autism, which taught me the importance of inclusive and thoughtful design choices. This internship helped me build confidence in my process and sharpen both my design thinking and communication skills.