CASE STUDY
How Can Design Help Us Reconnect With Ourselves Amidst The Noise Of Everyday Life?
Can The Simple Act Of Reflection Make All The Difference?
Morning Meditations & Evening Reflections
A 30-day journal designed to encourage mindfulness through gentle prompts and thoughtful design to help guide us back to ourselves.
Overview
Design a journal that would offer a simple yet effective way to stay mentally organized and productive. By focusing on a physical format, the aim is to foster a deeper connection between users and their reflections, countering the sometimes impersonal nature of digital tools.
Role
Art & Creative Director, Graphic Designer, Layout Artist, Copywriter, and Editor.
Problem & Background
In the whirlwind of modern-day life, finding ourselves yearning for moments of peace, we often forget the power of simply pausing and reflecting.Mental health is becoming a critical focus as society grapples with rising cases of depression, anxiety, and related conditions. In an era where digital solutions often dominate, there’s a compelling argument for the value of tangible, practical tools.What if there was something that could help individuals manage their mental health by providing a dedicated space for daily reflection and emotional tracking, guiding us through those moments for a clearer mind, inner peace, and calm?
Goal
Create a balanced, simple yet effective, easy-to-use tool that encourages personal reflection throughout the day without overwhelming the user.The objective was to design a journal that was practical, accessible, and engaging. It needed to be easy to read and use, enabling users to document and reflect on their thoughts and emotions efficiently.
Research
Initial research focused on the preferences of educated, health-conscious individuals who value self-reflection.My process began with researching and analyzing existing mindfulness literature, documented daily practice routines, and other creative journals
to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.The key insights revealed that users preferred a structured journal with prompts to guide their reflections and favored a physical format for its tangible, “real” quality.The choice of a 30-day format emerged as a compromise between weekly, monthly, and yearly options, striking a balance that satisfied the target audience.
Brainstorming
Initial ideations began to set the tone for a daily paperback companion, focused on clean, simple elements with an emphasis on flow and readability.The overall feel was to create an interactive analog user experience that evokes self-reflection and engagement.As the project took shape, focusing on a balance of form and function, I wanted users to seamlessly follow through with the guided prompts and reflections to explore their thoughts and feelings. With this in mind, type was kept minimal to avoid distractions.
Design Process
The physical design of the journal was crafted to be visually clean and appealing, opting for a soft cover with binding that allows the journal to lay flat, making it easier for daily use.The cover design features a serene, zen-like illustration of a sunrise and sunset, symbolizing the start and end of the day against a clean, calming white background.
Interior design and layout using Affinity Publisher 2
Cover graphic featuring a simple, stylized sunrise and sunset to convey serenity and calm
challenges
The challenge was in balancing design and utility. The journal had to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, ensuring the content was easily digestible and didn't overwhelm the user.
Lessons & Key Takeaways
This project reinforced the value of creating with a clear purpose in mind, and the importance of balance in design. It also taught me the significance of listening to user feedback early on to ensure the final product meets the needs of its audience.Key Takeaway: The value of simplicity.
Conclusion
Published and available on Amazon, Morning Meditations, Evening Reflections is expected to be a valuable tool for users seeking to enhance their mental wellness and make their daily reflections a meaningful practice.Moving forward, there is the possibility of expanding into a full series with variations focused on specific themes like creativity or finding your purpose.
Available On Amazon
CLICK HERE to Get Your Copy.