Gamified redesign by Lazarev.agency helps a mental health app turn daily self-care into a habit, resulting in a 42% increase in user retention.
Designing Joy as a Daily Practice
Before teaming up with Lazarev.agency, Happiness had a powerful vision: to help users reshape their thinking, build sustainable habits, and find a balance between work and life. Turning that vision into a compelling digital product strategy was the challenge. With the growing market of mental wellness apps, the platform needed a user experience that could foster a lasting emotional bond.
5 Design Solutions to Make Emotional Wellness a Daily Habit
Lazarev.agency’s goal was to integrate offline coaching principles into a mobile-first, habit-forming product. The key objective was to turn micro-engagements into macro-results. We focused on principles of emotional design to encourage repeat interaction and visualize progress in ways that were both intuitive and rewarding.
- Gamified UX: Introduced 6 smart gamification layers, including badges, leaderboards, and task streaks to build consistency through micro-achievements.
- Effortless onboarding: Reimagined onboarding with instant value delivery. No long intros, just immediate access to feel-good tasks.
- Narrative-driven interactions: Built a 6-week structure with weekly themes and motivational cues to keep users engaged.
- Task-centric interface: Designed with daily habit-building in mind. Users track mood, complete tasks, and reflect in a gratitude journal.
- Responsive design: With the mobile app design principles applied, users can now use the platform on the go.
“We designed an environment that rewards presence. We wanted users to feel better.”
{{Oleksandr Koshytskyi}}
Retention Up 42% Driven by Design
We distilled the product into one simple loop: show up, feel progress, and return tomorrow. The impact was measurable. After launching the redesigned experience, Happiness reported a 42% increase in customer retention. The redesigned product became a companion, helping thousands build resilience through structured habits.
Design That Helps You Stay Aligned with Yourself
The Happiness case shows that strategic design drives sustained behavior change. With Lazarev.agency’s guidance, the app became a daily ritual for thousands of users, leading to high retention, strong engagement, and sustainable growth in the crowded wellness market.
