yourSpace VR
yourSpace VR is a cutting-edge meditation app that blends the principles of biophilic design with immersive virtual environments, seamlessly connects users to nature-inspired spaces, the app fosters relaxation and mindfulness, enabling tranquility and focus in any setting.
User Interviews (surveys & zoom) | OtterAi | Apple Notes transcribe | Competitive Analysis | Mood Board | Wire framing | Usability Testing | Prototyping
methods
project overview
Inspired by architecture, interior design, and biophilic principles, yourSpace VR bridges the gap between humanity and nature to support mental and physical wellness. The app creates immersive, nature-inspired environments that promote balance and tranquility, addressing challenges faced by urban dwellers and those without access to dedicated mindfulness spaces. By integrating biophilic design, yourSpace VR allows meditation users can foster a deeper connection with nature in even the most stressful settings.
problem
User research revealed that urban dwellers, especially those new to meditation or working in high-stress environments, often felt disconnected from nature and lacked the space to meditate effectively. I interviewed meditation enthusiasts and urban professionals to understand the barriers they face.
human-centered understanding
Why do you meditate?
89% of users meditate to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Where do you meditate?
72% of users meditate to promote their overall wellbeing
What is your motivation to meditate?
61% of users meditate to foster a deeper connection with themselves.
To create an effective solution with yourSpace VR, I focused on understanding the unique challenges faced by users who struggle to establish or maintain a meditative state. Insights are gathered from a combination of user interviews, surveys, and secondary research.
Key Findings
Disconnect from Nature
Many users, especially urban dwellers, expressed feeling isolated from nature. This disconnection often made it harder to achieve the tranquility they sought in their meditation practice.
Many users, especially urban dwellers, expressed feeling isolated from nature. This disconnection often made it harder to achieve the tranquility they sought in their meditation practice.
Lack of Space and Privacy
Busy, high-stress environments often lack dedicated meditation spaces, making it difficult for users to focus and relax. Noise and distractions are common obstacles.
Challenges with Traditional Meditation Apps
Low Immersion: Traditional apps struggled to replicate the sense of peace provided by real-world natural settings.
Desire for Nature-inspired Design: Users craved designs that evoke the calming influence of natural elements, both visually and aurally.
User Personas
The research informed two main personas:
Sade, The Overwhelmed Caregiver: As a parent who is too busy to enjoy meditating until the kids are sleeping, I would like a tool that helps me achieve a relaxing meditative state. I would like to have a solution that allows me to meditate before bed.
Jordan, The Aspiring Meditator: As a remote professional living in a noisy urban apartment, I want to practice mindfulness more often. I’m new to meditation, and I find it hard to stay focused. I crave moments of calm, but the constant distractions and lack of a dedicated space are a challenge for effective meditation
By identifying these key challenges and user types, yourSpace VR was designed to provide personalized, immersive, and nature-inspired environments, helping users overcome these barriers to mindfulness.
design process
The mood boards enabled me to synthesize the aesthetic and thematic experience, providing a clear vision for the design direction. I embraced a futuristic look, balancing tranquility with innovation in the interface design. This process guided me in defining the spaces, where I aimed to create a calming atmosphere through pastel tones while incorporating bold, inspiring colors to add energy.
Guided by nature in space, nature analogies, nature in space, nature, and fostering a connection between humanity and nature, I intentionally infused organic textures and immersive natural elements into the interface.
For the yourSpace VR design process, I began with user interviews and cognitive analysis to identify key challenges and inform the app’s structure. A mood board established the calming, nature-inspired aesthetic.
nature analogue
A nature analog refers to design elements that mimic nature to evoke connection and tranquility, using patterns, colors, shapes, light, and sounds without actual natural elements.
nature of space
Nature of space refers to integrating natural elements like plants, water, wood, and stone into a space to create a physical connection to nature, enhancing well-being and relaxation.
nature in space
Nature of the space refers to the atmosphere or emotional experience a design evokes, such as calm, cozy, or dynamic, shaped by qualities like lighting, decor, and openness.
Rooted in nature and the connection between humanity and the natural world, I integrated organic textures and immersive elements into the interface. Accented with bold, inspiring hues, a calming color palette creates a serene yet energizing atmosphere that encourages deeper meditative engagement. The vibrant colors reflect the app’s logo, reinforcing its identity. Affirmations woven throughout the experience further enhance its purpose as a comprehensive meditative wellness platform.
solution
Space is more than its boundaries; it is a canvas for emotion, reflection, and discovery. In the embrace of yourSpace VR, space becomes alive… layered with whispers of rustling leaves, the gentle hum of flowing water, and the glow of light filtering through trees. Nature inhabits every crevice, weaving seamlessly into the environment, a living element breathing serenity into the virtual realm.
The yourSpace VR experience begins with a guided breathwork exercise to help users center themselves and prepare for meditation. Once the exercise is complete, users can choose between a conventional meditation session or an immersive VR experience, tailored to support their mindfulness journey.
The VR selection screen in yourSpace VR is thoughtfully divided into the three pinnacles of the experience, aligning with holistic wellness principles. Each category Mind, Body, and Soul, offers tailored meditation experiences designed to foster mental clarity, physical relaxation, and emotional balance.
Each selection has two interactive worlds. Immerse yourself into each realm, to target Mind, Body, and Soul.
key takeaways
Key learnings from this process highlight the critical role of user-centered design and the balance of calming yet energizing elements in supporting overall well-being. A significant focus was placed on micro-interactions, which required more effort than anticipated but ultimately enriched the experience. Juggling the demands of achieving cohesive branding and tone while maintaining the ambitious vision for the app was challenging but rewarding. Despite these hurdles, yourSpace VR is my favorite UX design project completed thus far.