> tamagotchi yourself and improve your mental health:

Doppamine

This project was developed with mentoring from The Design Mentoring Project, covering stages of product discovery to create a product that seeks to solve a real need.

In this research opportunity, I created Doppamine, a product that connects physical activity and mental health through a gamified digital experience. The choice of this theme came about after identifying that, although there are many physical activity apps available, there is an unexplored opportunity in the direct connection of the practice with benefits for mental health.
Through extensive research and interviews with users, I identified that there is great difficulty in maintaining the habit of physical activity, even when people recognize its benefits. 26% of Brazilians have been diagnosed with anxiety, while 52% do not practice regular physical activity.

The solution I developed is based on the concept of "Tamagotchi yourself", where the user creates a miniature version of themselves (Mini) to tell, within the app. As the user performs physical activities, their avatar receives rewards in the form of well-being indicators (mood, sleep, focus and self-esteem), creating a visual and emotional connection with the benefits of physical activity for mental health.

The app was structured to offer a personalized experience, starting with onboarding that adapts exercise playlists to individual needs. In addition, I implemented a rewards system that includes both virtual accessories for the avatar and possible partnerships with brands that support a healthy lifestyle.

When building the visual identity, I sought to move away from the traditional standards of fitness apps, creating a fun and welcoming color palette. The design system was developed to support the entire gamified experience, maintaining the focus on personalizing Mini and clearly visualizing the benefits achieved through regular physical activity.

Check out the full case study on Medium (in portuguese).