Clouds Case Study

Role and Responsibilities

As the sole designer for the Clouds project, I led the end-to-end process, including research, ideation, wire-framing, prototyping, and visual development.

The Painpoints

Burnout and Mental Fatigue

The demands of modern life, coupled with a culture that equates productivity with self-worth, have led to many of us experiencing chronic burnout. This widespread issue impacts creativity, focus, and mental health—challenges that are especially relevant to the tech industry and its fast-paced work environments.

Disconnected from Self

Excessive screen time, driven by our reliance on technology for work, communication, and entertainment, contributes to digital overload. This leads to mental fatigue, stress, and a diminished ability to engage in mindful self-reflection.

Disconnected from Nature

As daily routines become more sedentary, people are spending less time outdoors. This detachment from nature has been linked to rising rates of anxiety and depression. Technology has the opportunity to bridge this gap, encouraging outdoor exploration and fostering a sense of connection to the natural world.

“In a world dominated by technology and grind culture, reconnecting with the natural world offers a powerful solution to burnout and disconnection.”

The Solution

The Clouds app provides users with a visually engaging and educational tool to identify clouds. Paired with interactive features like journaling, reminders, and a camera lens for cloud recognition, the app fosters mindfulness and a deeper connection with the natural world. Looking for forms in the clouds can encourage us to turn inwards and reflect on ourselves. In a world dominated by technology and grind culture, reconnecting with the natural world offers a powerful solution to burnout and disconnection. By encouraging people to observe clouds and reflect on their forms, Clouds create a space for introspection and mental restoration.

Self reflection is facilitated through the app’s journal feature, which prompts users to compare their inner thoughts with the appearance of the sky above. For example, on a stormy, grey day how does your internal monologue sound the same or different as the clouds above? Users can type out notes and upload photos of the sky. This data will be time stamped and stored in a calendar layout, be revisited, and reflected upon.

Research and Discovery

During the research process, I reviewed scientific studies on the mental health benefits of nature observation and spending time outdoors. Research suggests that looking at the sky can have significant mental health benefits. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that exposure to more expansive spaces like the sky can lead to “a greater sense of well-being and a reduced sense of confinement.”

I also completed a competitive analysis of existing apps in mental wellness spaces.

Headspace
Daylio
Calm

Wireframes

Next, I created low-fidelity wireframes for key app features, such as cloud identification, main menus, clould index, daily sky prompts, and journaling.

Visual Design

Color Palette
Soft pastels to evoke tranquility and mimic the sky. 

Typography
Sans-serif body and caption type for clarity, paired with elegant serif display type for headers and titles. 

Illustrations
Custom hand drawn pastel backgrounds depicting cloud species to enhance learning and mental wellbeing.

pastel illustrations

typography

filter buttons

cloud index cta

images and captions

Cloud Lens

Users capture photos, and the app’s AI image recognition identifies cloud species and provides educational context in seconds.

Implementation of Google Lens within the app is currently underway.

Brand Extentions

This project expanded to include a mobile app, an umbrella, a journal, and a tote bag design. The journal, tote, and umbrella are non-digital brand extensions to help users reach maximum serenity while they connect with clouds in the sky.