Better sleep app

Better sleep app

sleep better, wake up happier

sleep better, wake up happier

Services

UI UX Design

Client

Daily Health Conference

Daily Health Conference

Daily Health Conference

Year

2025

Info

The Daily Health Conference is a non-profit group that teaches people how to be healthy. It started in 1983 in San Francisco. They have an online membership but fewer people are joining because the program is old.

Shazam is a mobile app that identifies music playing around you or within other apps.
It can recognize songs from various sources, including radio, TV, and even within apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Team

Jacopo Bettini

April Van Dinther

Challenge

The Daily Health Conference wants to use technology to help people be healthier.


They have lots of ideas for new apps but they don’t know where to start.
Designers will: Talk to people about their health. Make a simple app idea to help show their idea to a group of judges. For this challenge, we decided to design an app that helps people get better sleep.

This redesign exercise was originally proposed by Ironhack, and I decided to challenge myself by adding a twist: I filled a wheel with popular apps, gave it a spin, and fate chose Shazam.

The Daily Health Conference wants to use technology to help people be healthier.


They have lots of ideas for new apps but they don’t know where to start.
Designers will: Talk to people about their health. Make a simple app idea to help show their idea to a group of judges. For this challenge, we decided to design an app that helps people get better sleep.

Brand & Feature Analysis

We began our journey by comparing four sleep apps — Sleep Cycle, Calm, Pillow, and SleepScore. On the left, we look at their brand style, tone, and how they connect with users. On the right, we compare key features like sleep tracking, smart alarms, and coaching.

Mapping of competitors

In the mapping of competitors we can see where each app stands: Calm is strong on relaxation, SleepScore takes a scientific approach, and Pillow excels in advanced tracking. The green dot on the chart shows the ideal spot—combining wellness with advanced features.

In the mapping of competitors we can see where each app stands: Calm is strong on relaxation, SleepScore takes a scientific approach, and Pillow excels in advanced tracking. The green dot on the chart shows the ideal spot—combining wellness with advanced features.

In the mapping of competitors we can see where each app stands: Calm is strong on relaxation, SleepScore takes a scientific approach, and Pillow excels in advanced tracking. The green dot on the chart shows the ideal spot—combining wellness with advanced features.

Secondary research

In our secondary research we discovered that about 1 in 3 people use sleep apps, and many get good results. Most want guidance, not just data. The sleep-tech market is growing fast, and tools like Sleepio show strong demand.

In our secondary research we discovered that about 1 in 3 people use sleep apps, and many get good results. Most want guidance, not just data. The sleep-tech market is growing fast, and tools like Sleepio show strong demand.

In our secondary research we discovered that about 1 in 3 people use sleep apps, and many get good results. Most want guidance, not just data. The sleep-tech market is growing fast, and tools like Sleepio show strong demand.

Survey

Most of our survey participants are working professionals, and many are moderately active. But 90% our participants don’t use any sleep app, which shows a clear opportunity. The biggest sleep problems they shared were trouble falling asleep, waking up at night, and stress.

Most of our survey participants are working professionals, and many are moderately active. But 90% our participants don’t use any sleep app, which shows a clear opportunity. The biggest sleep problems they shared were trouble falling asleep, waking up at night, and stress.

Most of our survey participants are working professionals, and many are moderately active. But 90% our participants don’t use any sleep app, which shows a clear opportunity. The biggest sleep problems they shared were trouble falling asleep, waking up at night, and stress.

user interview

In our user interviews, we uncovered strong emotional connections between sleep quality and overall well-being. Participants described how poor sleep made them irritable and less productive, while better rest improved mood and focus.

These insights highlight both emotional pain points and opportunities to create meaningful sleep-related features.

In our user interviews, we uncovered strong emotional connections between sleep quality and overall well-being. Participants described how poor sleep made them irritable and less productive, while better rest improved mood and focus.

These insights highlight both emotional pain points and opportunities to create meaningful sleep-related features.

In our user interviews, we uncovered strong emotional connections between sleep quality and overall well-being. Participants described how poor sleep made them irritable and less productive, while better rest improved mood and focus.

These insights highlight both emotional pain points and opportunities to create meaningful sleep-related features.

Affinity Diagram

This diagram shows key insights from our sleep interviews. We found four themes: emotional well-being, external influences like caffeine and alcohol, sleep patterns, and tools for support. Stress, habits, and tech all affect sleep, and many people try methods like podcasts or meditation to improve it.

Here are a couple of our findings : Jacopo mentioned that alcohol and phone use before bed disrupted his sleep and Kynlee stated that sleep quality impacts her mental and emotional well-being.

This diagram shows key insights from our sleep interviews. We found four themes: emotional well-being, external influences like caffeine and alcohol, sleep patterns, and tools for support. Stress, habits, and tech all affect sleep, and many people try methods like podcasts or meditation to improve it.

Here are a couple of our findings : Jacopo mentioned that alcohol and phone use before bed disrupted his sleep and Kynlee stated that sleep quality impacts her mental and emotional well-being.

This diagram shows key insights from our sleep interviews. We found four themes: emotional well-being, external influences like caffeine and alcohol, sleep patterns, and tools for support. Stress, habits, and tech all affect sleep, and many people try methods like podcasts or meditation to improve it.

Here are a couple of our findings : Jacopo mentioned that alcohol and phone use before bed disrupted his sleep and Kynlee stated that sleep quality impacts her mental and emotional well-being.

user Persona/Journey

This is our user persona — Dylis.

 She’s 30, lives in London, and works in customer support.
Dylis finds it hard to relax after work and struggles with sleep.

A typical day for Dylis starts with stress at work. Although her mood improves slightly in the evening, she still can’t fully relax before bed. She sleeps lightly and wakes up often, leaving her tired and anxious in the morning. From her experience, we’ve identified key pain points like mental overload, sleep deprivation, and morning anxiety.

This is our user persona — Dylis.

 She’s 30, lives in London, and works in customer support.
Dylis finds it hard to relax after work and struggles with sleep.

A typical day for Dylis starts with stress at work. Although her mood improves slightly in the evening, she still can’t fully relax before bed. She sleeps lightly and wakes up often, leaving her tired and anxious in the morning. From her experience, we’ve identified key pain points like mental overload, sleep deprivation, and morning anxiety.

This is our user persona — Dylis.

 She’s 30, lives in London, and works in customer support.
Dylis finds it hard to relax after work and struggles with sleep.

A typical day for Dylis starts with stress at work. Although her mood improves slightly in the evening, she still can’t fully relax before bed. She sleeps lightly and wakes up often, leaving her tired and anxious in the morning. From her experience, we’ve identified key pain points like mental overload, sleep deprivation, and morning anxiety.

Problem statement

The restless dreamers needs to find a way to fall asleep easier and wake up rested because poor sleep impacts her productivity and mood throughout the day

The restless dreamers needs to find a way to fall asleep easier and wake up rested because poor sleep impacts her productivity and mood throughout the day

The restless dreamers needs to find a way to fall asleep easier and wake up rested because poor sleep impacts her productivity and mood throughout the day

How might we

To address our problem statement, we developed “How Might We” statements to explore different ways we can help people sleep better.

We considered ideas like sending reminders, offering calming routines, and helping users relax before bed.

To address our problem statement, we developed “How Might We” statements to explore different ways we can help people sleep better.

We considered ideas like sending reminders, offering calming routines, and helping users relax before bed.

To address our problem statement, we developed “How Might We” statements to explore different ways we can help people sleep better.

We considered ideas like sending reminders, offering calming routines, and helping users relax before bed.

MOSCOW METHOD

We used the MOSCOW method to sort our features by importance.

We used the MOSCOW method to sort our features by importance.

We used the MOSCOW method to sort our features by importance.

MVP

Better is a sleep app designed to help people relax, sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed. It sends gentle notifications with calming suggestions like breathing exercises and daily routine tips to help users unwind and fall asleep more easily at night.

With guided exercises and emotion log, Better helps build healthy bedtime habits and supports better nights sleep.

The app is simple and easy to use, focusing on just the tools you need to improve your sleep.

Wearable devices like Apple Watch or Fitbit are optional but the core experience works perfectly without one.

Better is a sleep app designed to help people relax, sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed. It sends gentle notifications with calming suggestions like breathing exercises and daily routine tips to help users unwind and fall asleep more easily at night.

With guided exercises and emotion log, Better helps build healthy bedtime habits and supports better nights sleep.

The app is simple and easy to use, focusing on just the tools you need to improve your sleep.

Wearable devices like Apple Watch or Fitbit are optional but the core experience works perfectly without one.

User flow

We mapped out the user flow to show how people move through the app.
First-time users start with a quick setup and introduction.
Regular users can access features like podcasts, breathing exercises, and the Mind Log.

Low fidelity -> mid-fidelity

We mapped out the user flow to show how people move through the app.
First-time users start with a quick setup and introduction.
Regular users can access features like podcasts, breathing exercises, and the Mind Log.

Usability testing

Finally, we tested the app with five people to get their feedback. They wanted easier ways to see how activities affect their sleep and clearer sleep data. Some liked the idea of adding music or podcasts, and others found the breathing exercises and simple notifications helpful. Their feedback helps us make the app better and easier to use.

visual competitive analisys

We did a visual competitive analysis to spot common elements our app could use, like calming colors, simple layouts, and clean UI.

Moodboard

Our brand identity is designed to feel easy to use, helpful, low-maintenance, and reliable.

Easy to use reflects the needs of users who are often tired and want a smooth, effortless experience.

Helpful and reliable are expressed through features like wellness nudges, mood logs, and breathing exercises that support daily routines.

Finally, low-maintenance comes from the way the app works quietly in the background, offering support without demanding constant attention.

Style Guide

This style guide brings together the app’s core visuals into a cohesive system.

Illustrations introduce warmth and empathy, ensuring the design feels caring rather than clinical.

UI elements use a subtle ‘liquid glass’ effect, adding softness and a modern touch. Icons are kept simple to support quick, intuitive navigation without unnecessary visual noise.

Charts and data visuals were designed to be light, clear, and easy to read—helping users focus on insights, not complexity.

High fidelity prototype

The high-fidelity prototype brings the design to life—combining colors, type, and interactions into a smooth, welcoming experience that feels both polished and intuitive.

Key learnings

Through user interviews, competitor analysis, and usability testing, I uncovered valuable insights that shaped the design. Interviews highlighted real user habits and pain points, guiding the features and tone. Competitor research revealed patterns and opportunities to create a more distinct, functional experience. Finally, testing with personas improved navigation, clarity, and accessibility—ensuring the app feels both intuitive and supportive.

More projects

See all works

See all works

See all works

Shazam Redesign

UI/UX Design

Shazam Redesign

UI/UX Design

Shazam Redesign

UI/UX Design