The Hidden Zen of Headspace:
A Better Way to Explore
The Hidden Zen of Headspace:
A Better Way to Explore
The Hidden Zen of Headspace:
A Better Way to Explore
Headspace is one of the top wellness apps out there. It's beautifully designed, calming, and full of helpful content, however even great products have room to grow.
Headspace is one of the top wellness apps out there. It's beautifully designed, calming, and full of helpful content, however even great products have room to grow.
Headspace is one of the top wellness apps out there. It's beautifully designed, calming, and full of helpful content, however even great products have room to grow.
For this project, I wanted to explore how Headspace could feel more personal; especially in the moments when people need support the most. That led me to rethink how people find content when they open the app, not by category or title, but by simply saying what they need.
For this project, I wanted to explore how Headspace could feel more personal; especially in the moments when people need support the most. That led me to rethink how people find content when they open the app, not by category or title, but by simply saying what they need.
For this project, I wanted to explore how Headspace could feel more personal; especially in the moments when people need support the most. That led me to rethink how people find content when they open the app, not by category or title, but by simply saying what they need.
Project type
Academic Project (Feature Addition)
Academic Project (Feature Addition)
Timeline
Jun 2025 - Aug 2025 (8 weeks)
Jun 2025 - Aug 2025 (8 weeks)
Role
UX Researcher & Designer
UX Researcher & Designer
Limitations
Finding Headspace users
Lack of affordable UXR tools
Finding Headspace users
Lack of affordable UXR tools
Here's the thing...
Here's the thing...
Here's the thing...
When I looked on reddit, I saw a trend. People would say that Headspace had changed for the worse or that they were now experiencing stress from using their meditation app instead of relaxation (e.g., “I am getting frustrated with this new version. This app is no longer calming.”).
When I looked on reddit, I saw a trend. People would say that Headspace had changed for the worse or that they were now experiencing stress from using their meditation app instead of relaxation (e.g., “I am getting frustrated with this new version. This app is no longer calming.”).
When I looked on reddit, I saw a trend. People would say that Headspace had changed for the worse or that they were now experiencing stress from using their meditation app instead of relaxation (e.g., “I am getting frustrated with this new version. This app is no longer calming.”).
Over time, the Explore tab has grown bloated. Lots of content, not much clarity. No quick way to get to what actually fits you. That kind of friction works against the whole point of the app.
Over time, the Explore tab has grown bloated. Lots of content, not much clarity. No quick way to get to what actually fits you. That kind of friction works against the whole point of the app.
Over time, the Explore tab has grown bloated. Lots of content, not much clarity. No quick way to get to what actually fits you. That kind of friction works against the whole point of the app.
What I'm aiming for
What I'm aiming for
What I'm aiming for
Happier Users: Users navigate with ease and satisfaction.
The Right Fit: Surface content that matches how someone actually feels.
Less Sifting: A smoother experience that reflects the app's calming purpose.
Happier Users: Users navigate with ease and satisfaction.
The Right Fit: Surface content that matches how someone actually feels.
Less Sifting: A smoother experience that reflects the app's calming purpose.
Happier Users: Users navigate with ease and satisfaction.
The Right Fit: Surface content that matches how someone actually feels.
Less Sifting: A smoother experience that reflects the app's calming purpose.
The Solution
The Solution
The Solution
At first, I thought the Explore tab just needed a visual refresh. It felt cluttered, so I focused on simplifying the layout. But after talking to users, I realized they wanted more than clarity. They wanted content that fit how they were actually feeling.
So I shifted focus. Instead of adding menus or filters, I redesigned search itself, into a place where people can say what they need in plain words and get the right support back.
At first, I thought the Explore tab just needed a visual refresh. It felt cluttered, so I focused on simplifying the layout. But after talking to users, I realized they wanted more than clarity. They wanted content that fit how they were actually feeling.
So I shifted focus. Instead of adding menus or filters, I redesigned search itself, into a place where people can say what they need in plain words and get the right support back.
At first, I thought the Explore tab just needed a visual refresh. It felt cluttered, so I focused on simplifying the layout. But after talking to users, I realized they wanted more than clarity. They wanted content that fit how they were actually feeling.
So I shifted focus. Instead of adding menus or filters, I redesigned search itself, into a place where people can say what they need in plain words and get the right support back.
Say it in your own words
Say it in your own words
People rarely open the app knowing the exact title they want. They open it with a feeling. So I made search a place to say that feeling out loud, in plain words, and get met right where they are.
People rarely open the app knowing the exact title they want. They open it with a feeling. So I made search a place to say that feeling out loud, in plain words, and get met right where they are.
Pain-free searching
Pain-free searching
No menus to dig through, no titles to recall. Just say what you need and the right sessions show up. The work of finding calm shouldn't cost you any.
No menus to dig through, no titles to recall. Just say what you need and the right sessions show up. The work of finding calm shouldn't cost you any.
1. Research & Understanding
1. Research & Understanding
Starting with the Bigger Picture
Starting with the Bigger Picture
Starting with the Bigger Picture
So, where does Headspace shine?
So, where does Headspace shine?
So, where does Headspace shine?
Method: SWOT Analysis
Method: SWOT Analysis
To prepare my research on Headspace, I investigated current trends within the mental health industry. Next, I completed a SWOT Analysis of the mental health space, which would allow me to focus my additional research on specific areas.
To prepare my research on Headspace, I investigated current trends within the mental health industry. Next, I completed a SWOT Analysis of the mental health space, which would allow me to focus my additional research on specific areas.
To prepare my research on Headspace, I investigated current trends within the mental health industry. Next, I completed a SWOT Analysis of the mental health space, which would allow me to focus my additional research on specific areas.
Benchmarking the Best in Wellness
Benchmarking the Best in Wellness
Method: Competitive Analysis
Method: Competitive Analysis
I used a competitor comparison (Calm, Insight Timer and Balance) to see how each service delivers its respective 'daily' content, meditations and sleep features. My objective in this competitive comparison was to find what I thought were gaps in how these services deliver personalized experiences and structured programs with regard to long-term user engagement as they relate to Headspace.
I used a competitor comparison (Calm, Insight Timer and Balance) to see how each service delivers its respective 'daily' content, meditations and sleep features. My objective in this competitive comparison was to find what I thought were gaps in how these services deliver personalized experiences and structured programs with regard to long-term user engagement as they relate to Headspace.
I used a competitor comparison (Calm, Insight Timer and Balance) to see how each service delivers its respective 'daily' content, meditations and sleep features. My objective in this competitive comparison was to find what I thought were gaps in how these services deliver personalized experiences and structured programs with regard to long-term user engagement as they relate to Headspace.
Where can Headspace Grow?
Where can Headspace Grow?
Method: Affinity Diagram
Method: Affinity Diagram
I gathered user feedback and mapped it into an affinity diagram to spot the patterns. One gap stood out: plenty of great content, but no easy way to reach the right piece of it.
I gathered user feedback and mapped it into an affinity diagram to spot the patterns. One gap stood out: plenty of great content, but no easy way to reach the right piece of it.
I gathered user feedback and mapped it into an affinity diagram to spot the patterns. One gap stood out: plenty of great content, but no easy way to reach the right piece of it.
My research led me to a few emerging patterns that guided my direction:
My research led me to a few emerging patterns that guided my direction:
My research led me to a few emerging patterns that guided my direction:
01
Hard to narrow down
Hard to narrow down
Users had no quick way to get from a huge library to the one thing that fit them.
Users had no quick way to get from a huge library to the one thing that fit them.
Users had no quick way to get from a huge library to the one thing that fit them.
02
Visual grouping
Visual grouping
Grouping similar content visually would make it easier to scan and find what's relevant.
Grouping similar content visually would make it easier to scan and find what's relevant.
Grouping similar content visually would make it easier to scan and find what's relevant.
03
Lack of personalization
Lack of personalization
Users want content that reflects how they're feeling, not the same generic suggestions every time.
Users want content that reflects how they're feeling, not the same generic suggestions every time.
Users want content that reflects how they're feeling, not the same generic suggestions every time.
04
Discoverability issues
Discoverability issues
Users often skip Explore or fall back on search to find what they need, but search wasn't built to actually help them.
Users often skip Explore or fall back on search to find what they need, but search wasn't built to actually help them.
Users often skip Explore or fall back on search to find what they need, but search wasn't built to actually help them.
How might we make it easier for users to discover and engage with content in Headspace?
How might we make it easier for users to discover and engage with content in Headspace?
How might we make it easier for users to discover and engage with content in Headspace?
Iteration &Wireframes
Iteration &Wireframes
Iteration & Wireframes
Where Ideas Take Shape
Where Ideas Take Shape
Where Ideas Take Shape
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions
Method: Lo-fi Wireframes
Method: Lo-fi Wireframes
I used a "filter" approach using the "Explore" feature of Pinterest as well as a "re-design" of the entire page. Each was successful at solving part of my problem; however, both added their own "friction", ultimately leading me to design search from the ground-up.
I used a "filter" approach using the "Explore" feature of Pinterest as well as a "re-design" of the entire page. Each was successful at solving part of my problem; however, both added their own "friction", ultimately leading me to design search from the ground-up.
I used a "filter" approach using the "Explore" feature of Pinterest as well as a "re-design" of the entire page. Each was successful at solving part of my problem; however, both added their own "friction", ultimately leading me to design search from the ground-up.
Advanced filtering
A full filter menu for goals, length, experience, and content type. It was powerful and precise, but it made people fill out a form before they could relax. All that upfront effort worked against the calm the app is supposed to deliver.
Chip-style filtering
A lighter approach using quick filter chips at the top of Explore. Faster than the full menu, but it still asked people to make several choices before anything happened. Too many small decisions stacked up before the calm could begin.
Ambient Explore
The page quietly reshaped itself based on time of day and past habits, with zero input needed. It was the lowest-effort idea by far, but also the most invisible. People couldn't tell they were being helped, so it never felt like a real feature.
Feeling-first collections
Instead of adding anything, this reorganized all of Explore around feelings like "can't switch off" or "winding down." It solved the grouping problem well, but it meant rebuilding the tab's entire structure, too big a lift for the project's scope and timeline.
The pattern that emerged was this: every option either added effort or hid the help. That is what led to the direction in the next section.
The pattern that emerged was this: every option either added effort or hid the help. That is what led to the direction in the next section.
The pattern that emerged was this: every option either added effort or hid the help. That is what led to the direction in the next section.
Final Solution
Final Solution
Final Solution
Four decisions, One Flow
Four decisions, One Flow
Four decisions, One Flow
The Core Idea
The Core Idea
Method: Flow Diagram
Method: Flow Diagram
I created this with four decisions. Search will understand plain language (no need for anyone to wonder where they put that item), if there are multiple possible answers to what you have typed into search, I am going to ask one simple question rather than making a guess about your query. If none of the results match what you were looking for reasonably close, then I will show you the best result that I can find rather than leave you staring at a blank screen. If your words indicate that you are experiencing some form of emotional/physical distress, then I will immediately stop offering meditation suggestions and direct you to an actual source of support.
I created this with four decisions. Search will understand plain language (no need for anyone to wonder where they put that item), if there are multiple possible answers to what you have typed into search, I am going to ask one simple question rather than making a guess about your query. If none of the results match what you were looking for reasonably close, then I will show you the best result that I can find rather than leave you staring at a blank screen. If your words indicate that you are experiencing some form of emotional/physical distress, then I will immediately stop offering meditation suggestions and direct you to an actual source of support.
I created this with four decisions. Search will understand plain language (no need for anyone to wonder where they put that item), if there are multiple possible answers to what you have typed into search, I am going to ask one simple question rather than making a guess about your query. If none of the results match what you were looking for reasonably close, then I will show you the best result that I can find rather than leave you staring at a blank screen. If your words indicate that you are experiencing some form of emotional/physical distress, then I will immediately stop offering meditation suggestions and direct you to an actual source of support.
Say it, don't hunt for it
Natural language replaces category browsing. People describe what they need instead of guessing where it lives in the app.
One question, not a form
When input is unclear, I ask a single focused question instead of guessing or showing a long list of options.
Something instead of nothing
If nothing matches well, the closest option still comes back. No one lands on an empty screen.
A safety branch, built in
If someone's words point to real distress, the flow sets meditation aside and hands them to actual support.
Walkthrough
Walkthrough
Screen by screen
Screen by screen
Screen by screen
Getting there
Getting there
People rarely open Headspace already knowing a title. They open it with a feeling. The affinity mapping back in Research kept surfacing "I don't know what to search for," so I made the entry point accept a feeling in plain words instead of asking someone to browse categories first.
People rarely open Headspace already knowing a title. They open it with a feeling. The affinity mapping back in Research kept surfacing "I don't know what to search for," so I made the entry point accept a feeling in plain words instead of asking someone to browse categories first.
People rarely open Headspace already knowing a title. They open it with a feeling. The affinity mapping back in Research kept surfacing "I don't know what to search for," so I made the entry point accept a feeling in plain words instead of asking someone to browse categories first.
Making sense of it
Making sense of it
Most of what someone types is specific enough to act on right away, so it goes straight to processing. But some input is genuinely ambiguous, like "I feel weird tonight." Rather than guess wrong, I added one branching question. It only fires when needed, so it never slows down the common case.
Most of what someone types is specific enough to act on right away, so it goes straight to processing. But some input is genuinely ambiguous, like "I feel weird tonight." Rather than guess wrong, I added one branching question. It only fires when needed, so it never slows down the common case.
Most of what someone types is specific enough to act on right away, so it goes straight to processing. But some input is genuinely ambiguous, like "I feel weird tonight." Rather than guess wrong, I added one branching question. It only fires when needed, so it never slows down the common case.
When it doesn't go as planned
When it doesn't go as planned
Two failure modes needed different answers. When search just can't find a match, a dead end would undo the whole point of asking in plain words, so it offers the closest related content instead. When someone's words point to real distress, offering content at all would be the wrong response. That case gets pulled out of the normal flow entirely and handed to actual support.
Two failure modes needed different answers. When search just can't find a match, a dead end would undo the whole point of asking in plain words, so it offers the closest related content instead. When someone's words point to real distress, offering content at all would be the wrong response. That case gets pulled out of the normal flow entirely and handed to actual support.
Two failure modes needed different answers. When search just can't find a match, a dead end would undo the whole point of asking in plain words, so it offers the closest related content instead. When someone's words point to real distress, offering content at all would be the wrong response. That case gets pulled out of the normal flow entirely and handed to actual support.
Closing the loop
Closing the loop
After the session ends, a single question asks whether it helped. A quick 'Yes, better' or 'Not really' captures the answer, and tapping anywhere skips it if someone would rather not answer.
After the session ends, a single question asks whether it helped. A quick 'Yes, better' or 'Not really' captures the answer, and tapping anywhere skips it if someone would rather not answer.
Outcome & Reflections
Outcome & Reflections
Outcome & Reflections
What People Actually Said
What People Actually Said
What People Actually Said
Testing it for real
Testing it for real
Method: Usability Testing
Method: Usability Testing
I showed each person the current Explore experience, then this redesign, and asked them to find something for a specific mood using both. The consistent reaction: this felt easier than the current search. Nobody said that about the existing Explore tab unprompted.
I showed each person the current Explore experience, then this redesign, and asked them to find something for a specific mood using both. The consistent reaction: this felt easier than the current search. Nobody said that about the existing Explore tab unprompted.
I showed each person the current Explore experience, then this redesign, and asked them to find something for a specific mood using both. The consistent reaction: this felt easier than the current search. Nobody said that about the existing Explore tab unprompted.
6/6
completed the task without help.
6/6
completed the task without help.
6/6
completed the task without help.
6/6
like the new search over the old one.
6/6
like the new search over the old one.
6/6
like the new search over the old one.
~16s
avg. time to a relevant result.
~16s
avg. time to a relevant result.
~16s
avg. time to a relevant result.
Looking back
This has been one of the most educational projects I've worked on, and it's a little funny how as my understanding of design fundamentals grew, so did this project. I actually built a version of it once before, right after finishing my UX apprenticeship, and came back to it realizing the first pass skipped steps and never solved the core problem. This is the second, more thoughtful attempt. The one part I'd want outside expertise on before it ever touched a real user is the safety branch. Everything else here I'd stand behind as a strong first version.
This has been one of the most educational projects I've worked on, and it's a little funny how as my understanding of design fundamentals grew, so did this project. I actually built a version of it once before, right after finishing my UX apprenticeship, and came back to it realizing the first pass skipped steps and never solved the core problem. This is the second, more thoughtful attempt.
This has been one of the most educational projects I've worked on, and it's a little funny how as my understanding of design fundamentals grew, so did this project. I actually built a version of it once before, right after finishing my UX apprenticeship, and came back to it realizing the first pass skipped steps and never solved the core problem. This is the second, more thoughtful attempt. The one part I'd want outside expertise on before it ever touched a real user is the safety branch. Everything else here I'd stand behind as a strong first version.