Case Studies
MindFlo
Introduction
MindFlo is a self-guided learning platform designed to support neurodivergent individuals and people with alternative learning styles who often struggle with consistency, focus, and motivation when building new skills.
Existing tools typically prioritize content over habit formation and reflection, leaving these users underserved and overwhelmed. MindFlo addresses this gap by offering features like customizable flashcards, visual progress reports, reflection journals, goal-setting tools, and burnout prevention strategies—helping users build learning systems that work for them.
This solution improves their learning experience by fostering self-awareness, structure, and emotional encouragement in a nonjudgmental environment. This project took approximately three months, during which I worked as the end-to-end UX/UI designer, leading all phases including research, wireframing, visual design, prototyping, and testing to ensure the platform truly aligned with the needs of its users.
Research
To define the problem and understand the needs of neurodivergent and alternative learners, I conducted qualitative user research that included user interviews, a competitive analysis, and a SWOT analysis.
I interviewed four neurodivergent individuals, all over the age of 21, who had struggled with learning new skills in different capacities. These remote interviews focused on questions such as: “What makes it hard for you to stick with learning something new?”, “Have you used learning tools or apps before? What worked or didn’t?”, and “What would make the learning process feel easier or more encouraging?”
While I did not distribute formal surveys, the interviews provided deep insights.
Key findings revealed that users often felt discouraged due to low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, and a mismatch between their learning style and traditional study tools.
They emphasized a need for multi-sensory content, gamified learning elements, affirmations, and features that allowed flexibility—such as “vacation modes” to avoid punishment for taking breaks.
One participant shared that they often gave up on learning apps because “they made me feel like I was falling behind instead of supporting me.”
This and other feedback directly shaped MindFlo’s tone and features, leading to tools like flashcards with multimedia input, reflection journals, and gentle progress tracking. These early insights laid the foundation for a platform that balances structure with compassion, built around the needs of those who learn differently.
Define
I followed an iterative design process for MindFlo—cycling through stages of research, ideation, design, testing, and refinement.
I began with user interviews and a competitive analysis to understand pain points and opportunities. From there, I developed personas representing Adaptive Learners who struggle with traditional learning methods due to ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or motivation challenges.
These personas informed the project’s tone and functionality. I created early lo-fi wireframes by sketching key screens and combining the strongest elements into mid-fidelity prototypes, which were refined for usability and clarity.
The final hi-fidelity wireframes included a complete onboarding flow, a flashcard creation and review system, and progress reports called “Past vs. Present You,” with tools for journaling, goal setting, and tracking milestones. I also crafted a comprehensive sitemap, breaking MindFlo into five main sections: Study, Relax, Social, Journal, and Profile, each with its own features and user paths.
Two key user flows were prioritized: (1) Creating and reviewing flashcards with multi-sensory support and feedback, and (2) Viewing progress reports to reflect on learning and set new goals.
Throughout, I conducted moderated usability testing and made updates based on user feedback, such as improving button responsiveness, adding flashcard animations, and relocating reports to the profile for easier access.
Deliverables included user interview summaries, personas, SWOT and competitive analysis, low/mid/high-fidelity wireframes, a sitemap, user flows, and a functional Figma prototype. This ongoing feedback loop ensured the final design was both effective and empathetic to neurodivergent learning needs.
Design
I created multiple design versions throughout the project. I began by sketching several variations of key screens, combining the strongest elements into low-fidelity wireframes, which were then refined into mid-fidelity prototypes with improved clarity and user flow.
After usability testing, I finalized high-fidelity designs that reflected real interactions, brand visuals, and accessibility considerations. The branding process was grounded in creating a calm, affirming, and visually supportive environment.
I selected a soft ocean-toned primary color to convey clarity and balance without being overstimulating—ideal for neurodivergent users who may be sensitive to harsh visuals. For typography, I chose Nunito for headings and buttons due to its friendly, rounded readability, and Karla for body text to maintain a warm but clean appearance.
The final branding elements included a lightbulb-brain logo, representing both insight and the "a-ha!" learning moment.
Final deliverables included a full set of sketches, low/mid/high-fidelity wireframes, a Figma prototype, and a complete UI and branding system with components, color palette, and typography guidelines. My favorite part of the design process was polishing the UI, because it was where structure and function came together to reflect the emotional goals of the product. Seeing the visual system support the project’s mission—to make learning feel manageable and affirming—was deeply rewarding.
Test
Throughout the project, I conducted moderated usability testing to validate both functionality and user experience. I tested mid- and high-fidelity wireframes using a clickable Figma prototype to observe how real users—specifically Adaptive Learners—navigated the interface, interacted with features, and interpreted visual elements.
The prototype was live and fully interactive, allowing participants to go through core flows like creating and reviewing flashcards and accessing “Past vs. Present You” reports.
All five participants were neurodivergent and had struggled with traditional learning tools, providing valuable feedback aligned with MindFlo’s mission.
Testing was conducted remotely via screen sharing, and I took detailed notes on behavior, confusion points, and direct quotes.
Key insights led to several iterations: I refined the navigation labels for clarity, relocated reports to the profile section, added flip animations to flashcards, and ensured all buttons and elements were responsive across screen sizes. I also improved onboarding with suggestions for a guided tutorial and added micro-interactions like blinking cursors and toast notifications to build trust and enhance user engagement.
These insights were instrumental in shaping the final deliverables and ensuring that the product felt intuitive, supportive, and accessible to its target users.
Conclusion
MindFlo was one of the most rewarding and insightful projects I’ve worked on. It challenged me to think deeply about accessibility, emotional design, and how to create inclusive tools for users who are often overlooked by mainstream platforms.
One of the biggest challenges was balancing structure with flexibility—designing a system that encourages consistency without feeling rigid or punitive. I learned the importance of iterative testing, empathetic research, and how even small UI elements like affirmations or micro-interactions can have a huge impact on user trust and motivation.
If I could go back, I would dedicate more time to expanding my participant pool during research and testing to capture a broader range of neurodivergent experiences.
Moving forward, I’d love to explore adaptive content delivery and deepen community-based features like peer encouragement and shared progress spaces. This project reinforced my belief that good design isn’t just functional—it’s supportive, human-centered, and affirming.
I’m most proud of creating a solution that reflects these values while remaining usable, scalable, and emotionally considerate.
For potential employers, I hope it demonstrates my ability to lead a project from start to finish, apply research meaningfully, and design with both intention and empathy.
