Designing a Companion App for Digital Therapeutics in Pulmonary Care
A calming and supportive UI system for patients with chronic respiratory conditions
As part of an international, cross-functional team, I helped design a digital therapeutic app for patients with a chronic pulmonary disease. The app supports users in managing their condition through guided exercises and innovative therapeutic interventions. My focus was on creating a design language that felt uplifting, supportive, and accessible—turning clinical content into a companion-like experience.
The Core Challenge
Designing for a chronic illness requires sensitivity—not just to accessibility needs, but to the emotional state of the user. The challenge was to design a mobile interface that would support and encourage patients through daily therapeutic routines, without feeling clinical or overwhelming. The visual tone needed to strike a delicate balance: calming and trustworthy, yet uplifting and motivating.
Aligning Visual Design with Therapeutic Goals
Working closely with scientists, UX researchers, and healthcare professionals, I helped define a visual direction that positioned the app as a friendly companion in the user’s health journey. The design language had to reduce friction and anxiety, while reinforcing consistency and trust throughout the experience.
We chose a soft, positive color palette, gentle typography, and a tone that promotes reassurance without patronizing. I designed a custom icon set and light illustrations to create visual clarity while maintaining warmth. Key considerations included font readability, contrast for low-vision users, and a sense of calm flow throughout the navigation.
Defining the Design System
To support future development and ensure visual consistency, I created a comprehensive UI design system in Sketch and Figma, covering:
- Core UI components (buttons, inputs, layouts)
- Custom icons tailored to the therapeutic content
- Illustrations for educational or motivational screens
- Color and typography rules optimized for readability and accessibility
- Prototypes for onboarding, exercise flows, and progress tracking
This comprehensive approach ensures that users can engage with the content from various angles, thereby increasing both their understanding and the likelihood of conversion.
This system made it easier for the team to iterate and scale the product while keeping the user experience focused and emotionally attuned.
