UX Steps Taken
- User personas and empathy mapping
- Information architecture design
- Mobile and watch wireframing
- High-fidelity UI design
CLIENT
UVM
Services Used
The Challenge
The University of Vermont was conducting a research initiative to measure how rewards influence healthy behavior among college students. However, their existing WE fitness app struggled with low engagement, poor usability, and an outdated interface that failed to resonate with users aged 18–24.
The app also needed to function as a reliable research tool—collecting accurate fitness and behavioral data—while offering a seamless experience across mobile and Apple Watch, without increasing user effort or fatigue.
Key Pain Points Identified
- Low engagement among young adult users
- Outdated visual design lacking motivational appeal
- Friction in fitness data collection workflows
- Weak Apple Watch experience
- Limited mechanisms to sustain long-term motivation
Research & Discovery
User & Stakeholder Research
Interviews with UVM research teams and product partners to define goals and understand user motivations and constraints.
ParticipantsStakeholders & Research Teams
FocusObjectives • Roles • Pain Points
Behavior & Data Analysis
Qual + quant analysis of fitness tracking behavior to understand habits, motivation, and engagement patterns.
MethodsJourney Mapping • Interviews •
InsightsHabit Loops • Engagement
Key Research Findings
46%
Users dropped off within the first week due to low motivation
38%
Found fitness tracking tedious without rewards
42%
Preferred wearable-first interactions over mobile-only tracking
Before & After
Before
After
Outdated research interface with limited engagement cues.
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Gamified fitness dashboard with clear goals and progress indicators.
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Static workout content with minimal user feedback.
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Interactive fitness experience with rewards and habit-building features.
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Gamified Motivation System
- Reward-based engagement using WECoins
- Incentives for daily activity and data updates
- Encouraged participation without added friction
Progress-Driven UX
- Visual progress bars to trigger goal-chasing behavior
- Clear feedback loops for achievements
- Reinforced sense of accomplishment
Apple Watch–First Experience
- Effortless fitness tracking on the go
- Minimal interactions for quick updates
- Seamless sync between watch and mobile app
Measurable Impact
+40%
Daily Engagement
More consistent student participation
Before: 45%
After:85%
+35%
Data submission consistency
Improved research data reliability
Before:52%
After:87%
+30%
User retention
Sustained engagement over time
Before:48%
After:78%
+33%
Apple Watch usage
+25%
Goal completion rate
Methodology & Testing
Behavioral UX Design
Built around motivation psychology
Iterative Prototyping
Continuous feedback and refinement
Cross-Device Validation
Mobile and smartwatch experience alignment
“Galaxy helped us turn a research tool into an engaging fitness experience. The new WE app significantly improved participation while preserving research integrity.”
UVM Research Team
Key Learnings & Insights
Motivation drives data quality
Engaged users provide better research outcomes.
Gamification must feel purposeful
Rewards should reinforce behavior, not distract.
Wearables reduce friction
Apple Watch interactions increased compliance.
Young users expect delight
Visual energy and feedback are non-negotiable.
Design Process Deep Dive
Key Deliverables
- Mobile app UI screens
- Apple Watch UI screens
- Style guide and icon set
Notable Decisions
- Designed for watch-first interactions
- Embedded motivation cues throughout the journey
Implementation & Handoff
Design Documentation
UX flows and interaction notes
Component Specs
Mobile and watch UI guidelines
Asset Delivery
Icons and visual assets
Developer Handoff Process
Design Documentation
Clear UX flows and annotated interaction details
UI Assets
Delivery of optimized mobile and watch interface assets
Collaboration
Regular sessions with the development team during implementation
QA Support
Assistance during testing and final deployment
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