Gem Within is a conceptual mobile app designed to support university students facing anxiety and depression by encouraging cultural participation and mindfulness through gamified storytelling. Using geolocation and augmented reality, the app transforms real-world exploration into a journey of self-discovery that helps users reconnect with community spaces and build positive emotional habits.
Understanding
the problem
Through primary and secondary research, it became clear that young adults, particularly university students, experience high levels of isolation and burnout due to academic and social pressures. Many found traditional mental health tools too clinical, repetitive, or intimidating, which often led to disengagement.
The challenge was: Design an experience that encourages students to find joy and connection without framing it as therapy.
Key objectives
The project aimed to create an emotionally engaging digital experience that promotes wellbeing through exploration, play, and self-reflection. The key objectives were to:
Reduce mental health stigma by focusing on growth and curiosity instead of illness.
Encourage users to explore Melbourne’s cultural landmarks as part of their recovery journey.
Integrate game mechanics and storytelling to sustain motivation and participation.
Design process
Guided by the project’s objectives, I structured the design process around three key stages that shaped how Gem Within came to life. The approach focused on developing a human-centred solution that promotes emotional wellbeing through curiosity, exploration, and self-expression. The goal was to create an experience that encourages discovery and connection in a way that feels natural, personal, and engaging.
The workflow was structured into three key phases:
1. Research and Insight Gathering
Reviewed academic studies on digital wellbeing and analysed augmented reality engagement models to understand how interaction, creativity, and gamification can positively influence mental health.
2. Prototyping and Testing
Developed wireframes and a high-fidelity prototype in Figma to evaluate usability, flow, and visual clarity. User testing sessions provided valuable feedback on navigation, task comprehension, and emotional engagement.
3. Iteration
Applied feedback to refine the interface and animation pacing, ensuring smoother transitions and a sense of calm and progress throughout the experience. Adjustments focused on maintaining emotional resonance and intuitive interaction.
The solution
Gem Within delivers an immersive augmented reality experience that guides users on a journey of self-discovery through Melbourne’s cultural landmarks, including the NGV and Royal Botanic Gardens. As users uncover digital “gems,” each discovery unlocks reflective tasks, journal prompts, and narrative milestones that foster mindfulness and personal growth.
The interface is designed around calm colours, smooth motion, and gentle reinforcement to create a safe and uplifting environment. A built-in progress tracker and reward system gamify recovery, transforming mental health support into an experience of curiosity, connection, and self-empowerment.
User testing
insights
Initial testing revealed that users enjoyed the concept but struggled with clarity in navigation and pacing. Some interactions felt slow or confusing, which disrupted engagement and reduced the sense of discovery. Based on these insights, improvements were made to refine the visual hierarchy, adjust animation timing, and simplify the navigation structure to create a smoother and more intuitive experience. These changes were necessary to enhance emotional flow and maintain user attention throughout the journey.
After implementing the refinements, the redesigned prototype achieved stronger results:
Participants found the experience more engaging and rewarding after navigation and animation updates.
Clearer map visuals and faster transitions reduced confusion and drop-off.
75% of participants said they would continue using the app if developed further.
Feedback emphasised that the app felt “hopeful, not heavy”, balancing playfulness and mindfulness effectively.
Reflection
This project taught me the importance of designing not just for usability but for emotional resonance. By blending storytelling and interaction design, I learned how small design decisions, from feedback timing to language tone, can deeply influence user motivation.
If revisited, I would focus on refining onboarding, expanding event diversity, and ensuring the narrative scales sustainably with user progress. Gem Within ultimately represents how thoughtful UX can transform everyday environments into catalysts for emotional healing and community connection.