Overview
College students face unique challenges in managing sobriety amidst a culture that often normalizes and glorifies drinking. This project focused on creating a solution tailored to their needs. By leveraging value-sensitive design, user-centered research, and iterative prototyping, we built a sobriety support app that combines goal tracking, educational resources, and community features. BevBuddy not only achieved a 85% of 4 out of 5 on user satisfaction testing but also empowered students to develop healthier habits and regain control over their lives.
Mobile App Design
Interface Design
Context
Problem
Before starting the design, I analyzed existing sobriety application to identify strengths, gaps, and missing features. Most lacked personalization and community support, which became key focuses in my design.
Understanding the Target Audience
We conducted surveys with 26 current college students. These findings informed features designed to reduce stigma, provide accessible tools, and foster a supportive environment.
Ideation
Through ideation workshops, we identified potential features by focusing on user needs and addressing competitive gaps. Activities such as grouping pain points and prioritizing solutions allowed the team to align on practical and high-impact goals, ensuring the final design addressed key challenges effectively.
Examples
01 Personalized Goals
02 Progress Tracking
03 Resource library
04 Mocktail recipes
05 Community Forums
06 Sobriety mobile game
Finalized Key Features
From the ideation workshops, we finalized key features that address user needs and competitive gaps. These include goal setting and tracking, a diverse library of educational resources, and mocktail recipes for social inclusion. Each feature directly supports students’ sobriety journeys with simplicity and impact.
Wireframes
Bridging Ideas to Design
From the ideation workshops, we finalized key features that address user needs and competitive gaps. These include goal setting and tracking, a diverse library of educational resources, and mocktail recipes for social inclusion. Each feature directly supports students’ sobriety journeys with simplicity and impact.
Testing & Iteration
To ensure the usability and clarity of my mid-fidelity designs before transitioning to high-fidelity prototypes, I conducted two rounds of user testing.
First Round - Testing the Flow with A/B Testing:
This round focused on validating navigation and overall app flow. Participants were tasked with locating resources and interacting with features. Feedback indicated the flow was intuitive, but minor refinements were needed to optimize layout and feature placements for a smoother user experience.
Second Round - Refining Usability:
Focused on usability, this round addressed issues like visual hierarchy and accessibility, refining button sizes and contrast. Unlike the first round, which required minor tweaks, the second round involved deeper iterations to create a polished and user-friendly design, culminating in the final version of BevBuddy.
From Scrolling to Swiping: A Better User Experience
Here is My Final Design
Where Strategy Meets Creativity
Onboarding
Guiding First-Time Users
Home Page
Goal Tracking: Stay on Track
Mocktail
Craving Something Better? We've Got You Covered!
Resources
Comprehensive Support at Your Fingertips
Impacts
Our final design resonated strongly with users, with 85% rating their satisfaction over 4 out of 5. Feedback highlighted the app’s ability to support sobriety while making the experience engaging, inclusive, and practical. This positive response validates the impact of user-centered design in addressing key pain points effectively.
Reflections & Learnings
Designing for a sensitive subject like sobriety comes with profound ethical responsibilities. The process underscored the importance of addressing privacy concerns, maintaining user autonomy, and ensuring information accuracy. Tackling these challenges required thoughtful solutions, from transparent data practices to reminders that support, not replace, professional care. Each decision was guided by the principle of empowering users while safeguarding their well-being.
Key Takeaways
Privacy is Paramount: Users’ trust hinges on clear communication about data usage and robust security measures. Transparency fosters confidence and long-term engagement.
Balancing Autonomy and Guidance: While users need the freedom to set personal goals, the design must gently intervene when necessary to prioritize safety and realistic expectations.
Ensuring Accurate Information: Offering reliable, well-vetted resources builds credibility and ensures users are equipped with valuable tools on their journey.