Pathways
UI / UX

A digital mobile app that guides students to reconnect with their goals and values.


Timeline
October 2024 - January 2025

Role
UX Research, UI Design, Prototyping, User Testing
Pathways is a mobile app that helps students clarify their purpose, recognize growth, and set meaningful goals. This platform addresses the unique challenges students face, enhancing their well-being and fostering community.



Problem
Students struggle to clarify goals, track growth, and stay motivated. Existing tools are often cluttered, overwhelming, or lack interactivity.



Insight
Design a simple, interactive app to help students reflect, set meaningful goals, and enhance well-being.



User Research
I started this project to address the growing mental health challenges students face, particularly in academic environments where stress, anxiety, and burnout are prevalent. Research indicates that mental health issues among students impact their academic performance and overall well-being.

How can we design an app that not only helps students manage their mental health but also enhances their ability to succeed academically by integrating tools for reflection, emotional expression, and effective organization?



User Interview
I conducted interviews with a group of students to understand their challenges and needs.

Interview Documentation




User Persona
 
ALEX

21 years old
Undergrad Student
Queens, NY

Needs

Clarify academic and personal goals.

Track progress toward achievements.

Stay motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
Motivation

To create a simple, structured plan for personal growth while balancing school and life. Alex wants a clear, distraction-free tool to stay organized and focused.



CHRIS

24 years old
Grad Student
Los Angeles, CA

Needs

Reflect on personal achievements and growth.

Set meaningful, long-term goals.

Use a platform that feels calming and easy to navigate.

Motivation

To align daily actions with long-term values. Chris seeks a tool that encourages reflection and progress tracking without overloading them with unnecessary features.



Industry Audit
I focused on understanding students' unique mental health needs to guide my design approach. By analyzing popular mental health platforms, I identified effective design patterns, but also recognized that feature overload could hinder user engagement, particularly for students who may face additional time and attention constraints.

Key takeaways included:

Mental health platforms for students excel when they incorporate calming colors, structured onboarding, and easily accessible content. However, excessive features and paywalls can limit engagement, especially for students who need simple, straightforward access to resources.








Userflow




Key Solution

01
Daily Check-In

Track your mood and energy levels to understand patterns and manage stress



02
Journaling

Reflect on your day and process your thoughts to improve emotional well-being



03
Goal Setting

Set daily goals to stay focused and prioritize personal and mental health tasks


Prototype

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© 2025 Sukyoung Youn