FitPal: supportive wellness journey

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
The main UX challenge of FitPal was to find the balance on the tone and the emotional interaction between users. Instead of pursuing major technical or feature innovation, FitPal prioritizes refining nuanced emotional experiences and interactions that are often overlooked. Our research revealed that users who build healthy habits tend to be sensitive and vulnerable, they seek external support, but can easily feel overwhelmed, judged, or unmotivated. Anchored in behavioral psychology, FitPal emphasized progress and self-compassion over competition. Through positive reinforcement, empathetic design, and thoughtful micro-interactions like gentle nudges, emoji animations, and tip drops, FitPal created a stress-free, motivating space for growth.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
The “A-ha” moment was captured when we engaged extensively with target users and uncovered what they are frustrated with, surprisingly, many exiting solutions on the market that highlight competition are sometimes causing depressed on themself, that moment drove the birth of the FitPal. Early on, balancing the gamified interface with usability proved challenging. We needed to create an experience that entertained and encouraged users while avoiding overwhelming them with overly complex or superficial “game-like” elements. Instead, we prioritized emotional communication with a more nuanced approach. This challenge pushed the team to look beyond form and focus on the essence—the user—resulting in a product that is both gentle and effective.

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
In the next five years, I see FitPal becoming an increasing powerful tool for those seeking healthier habits, shifting social trends and people’s mindset from competition to collaborative well-being. I envision integrating AI-technology, training bot to become one of a humane, reliable, and caring members in the team. The AI will provide more professional guides, offer more timely, appropriate care and support, and be the team's health captain. Gradually, the FitPal becomes a community with a supportive atmosphere where 'experts' constantly assist those who are struggling. Personally, I want to continue innovating at the intersection of health and behavior psychology, ensuring that FitPal remains human-centered while scaling its impact.