Product Design

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Gamified self care for managing mental health and re-organizing life.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

The lack of incentive to actively use self-care apps seems to be the most prominent concern.

Self care apps are designed to help users with mental health concerns and other persistent stressors to manage their day-to-day tasks. These apps have been successful at helping users manage life, however, not everyone is able to consistently stick to using them. 

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

A gamified self care app that motivates users with managing their lives and taking care of themself, whilst taking care of a virtual pet

Within the game the user runs a foster house for animals, and as the user takes care of their chosen pet, their pet will encourage them to take care of themselves too.

By scheduling a routine for daily self care rituals and tasks, the pet will notify users when it's time to do these activities together. Since the user has to care for a virtual pet, they are encouraged to always login to make sure they’re not neglecting their pet and also their own self. 

Monami's prototype is available for viewing and testing.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Once you're done picking a pet, they'll help you set up your daily schedule, so that you can both care for each other around the same time. You can also add in your birthday so that you can get a special birthday present from them every year!

Once you're done picking a pet, they'll help you set up your daily schedule, so that you can both care for each other at the same time.
You can also add in your birthday so that you can get
a special birthday present from them!

Once you're done picking a pet, they'll help you set up your daily schedule, so that you can both care for each other at the same time. You can also add in your birthday so that you can get a special birthday present from them!

Check your inventory to see what's in stock – place decor to make your home look cozy, lay out toys for the pets, and you can also change your pet's outfit! If you need to buy anything, just check what's available at the shop. You can also take a look at your friend log to see how many pet's you've befriended.

Check your inventory to see what's in stock, to place decor to make your home look cozy, to lay out toys for the pets, and to change your pet's outfit! If you need to buy anything, just check what's available at the shop. You can also take a look at your friend log to see how many pet's you've befriended.

Check your inventory to see what's in stock, to place decor to make your home look cozy, to lay out toys for the pets, and to change your pet's outfit! If you need to buy anything, just check what's available at the shop. You can also take a look at your friend log to see how many pet's you've befriended.

Help your pet get cleaned up before you go shower, and brush your teeth together before sleeping and after waking up. Your pet will go to bed 15 minutes before your own bedtime. There's an optional bedtime story option where you can read a small story, but that depends on the type of pet you choose, because some just want to go to bed immediately. Be sure not to stay up late and disturb your pet.

Help your pet get cleaned up before you go shower, and brush your teeth together before going to bed and after waking up. Your pet will go to bed 15 minutes before your own bedtime. There's an optional bedtime story option where you can read a small story, but that depends on the type of pet you choose, because some just want to go to bed immediately. Be sure to not stay up late and disturb your pet.

Help your pet get cleaned up before you go shower, and brush your teeth together before going to bed and after waking up. Your pet will go to bed 15 minutes before your own bedtime. There's an optional bedtime story option where you can read a small story, but that depends on the type of pet you choose, because some just want to go to bed immediately. Be sure to not stay up late and disturb your pet.

If you keep taking care of your pet, you will keep leveling up and your pet will grow up eventually. Once your pet has grown up, they will venture into the wild to experience the world out there, and you'll get to foster a new pet. If you don't take care of them, they will turn into a ghost and haunt you! Fear not, you can eventually resurrect them later as you keep playing!

If you keep taking care of your pet, you will keep leveling up and your pet will grow up eventually. Once your pet has grown up, they will venture into the wild to experience the world out there, and you'll get to foster a new pet. If you don't take care of them, they will turn into a ghost and haunt you! Fear not, there is a way to resurrect them later!

If you keep taking care of your pet, you will keep leveling up and your pet will grow up eventually. Once your pet has grown up, they will venture into the wild to experience the world out there, and you'll get to foster a new pet. If you don't take care of them, they will turn into a ghost
and haunt you! Fear not, there is a way
to resurrect them later!

The name Monami, is french for My Friend (mon ami),
and pets are your friends!

I really wanted push the idea of how we should be investing our time and energy into taking care of ourselves, like we would for a loved one, such as a pet, a friend or a child. I considered the potential pets that could be featured and the type of self care activities to include.

After highlighting the core aspects of what I wanted with the app, I moved on to sketching out low fidelity sceens, and looked into potential competitors to conduct a competitive and benchmark analysis. Most of these competitors were mindfulness and wellness focused apps, and also cute and casual video games.

Eventually I moved on to researching on potential users and getting a better grasp on user needs. Young adults, teens and children are the main demographic but anyone is welcome to play it.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

This flowchart showcases the general flow of Monami and all the potential ways a user can go about using it.

Considering that Monami is a virtual pet game essentially, I prioritized thinking of every possible way a person could engage with their pet. Based on my research and observations, most of the core functions of Monami were designed to be activities that are essential for living.

Even though these tasks are simple, these are activities many with mental health and disorganized lives may struggle with, and the app tries to further emphasize the importance of caring for one self.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

The personas feature a younger target market, since this app would be beneficial and eyecatching to them the most. Older users are always welcome to use it however they might feel disinterested in the virtual pet concept. Over here we look at a university student and a 5th grader, and see how they might benefit from using Monami.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami's general aesthetic has a classic cartoony look with the bold black strokes, so that the characters would pop against the background. The main colour palette of the user interface features soft tones that are easy on the eye and the icons clearly communicate their purpose with the user.

The characters all have their own unique features that help them stand out. Overall the game has a cute and inviting atmosphere, that should make the user feel at home while using it. 

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

The intention for the app is to make users reflect on how important it is to take care of someone, and how they also deserve that same type of love and attention. With the friendly environment set up by the game, I hope Monami will help shift the user’s perspective on their life a little bit, and see themselves worthy of the love and attention they would pour into their friendships and pets.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier. As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.

Monami is a self-care app where the user takes care of a virtual pet that actively reminds them to take care of themself as well. It is designed to keep the user engaged enough to keep using the app so that they can better manage their time and feel motivated to live better and happier.
As the user levels up, older pets grow up and move out, and new pets in need of a home are unlocked, so that the user can continue using it to have more order in their own lives.