My heart pal

How might we bridge the gap between healthcare interactions and everyday life for people living with heart disease?

My Heart Pal is a mobile health concept designed to support people living with heart disease between healthcare appointments. The solution focuses on reducing anxiety, improving symptom understanding and creating a greater sense of reassurance and control in everyday life.

UX/UI Design · User Research · Accessibility · Emotional Design

Overview

In collaboration with Företaget Hjärta, I explored how digital support could help people navigate life after a heart diagnosis.

The project focused on moments of uncertainty, symptoms and anxiety that often occur between healthcare appointments. The result was a calm, accessible and emotionally supportive mobile app concept designed to act as a personal companion in everyday life.

The Problem

People living with heart disease often receive medical information, but lack support in understanding what it means in everyday life.

The research showed that many users:

feel uncertain about symptoms and recovery
struggle to know when to seek help
feel alone in managing decisions
lack continuity between healthcare interactions

“I no longer know what is considered normal.”

My Role

UX/UI Designer

Worked with:

User research
Personas
Problem definition
Ideation
AI-assisted concept exploration
User flows
Wireframes
Interactive prototypes
Information architecture
Accessibility
UX writing

Research & Insights

I combined surveys, qualitative insights, workshops and previous research to better understand users’ everyday challenges after a heart diagnosis.

I also explored AI-supported workflows during the research phase to assist with synthesis, pattern recognition and early concept exploration. AI agents were used as supporting tools to help organize insights, accelerate ideation and explore opportunities throughout the design process.

Five key themes emerged:

uncertainty around symptoms
lack of support in the moment
loneliness and responsibility
need for continuity
need for control and reassurance

Ideation & AI-Assisted Exploration

To explore potential solutions, I used methods such as:

How Might We
Crazy 8’s
AI-assisted exploration workflows

Alongside traditional ideation methods, I experimented with AI tools and agents to rapidly test concepts, interaction patterns and interface directions.

I explored tools such as:

Figma AI
Figma Make
Claude
Lovable

These tools were used to support idea generation, create early UI concepts and experiment with interactive prototypes before moving into more refined wireframes and high-fidelity designs in Figma.

Rather than replacing the design process, AI became a collaborative tool for faster exploration, iteration and concept validation.

Design Opportunity

How might we help people with heart disease better understand their symptoms, manage anxiety and feel more supported in everyday life?

The Solution

I designed My Heart Pal, a mobile support companion focused on reassurance, accessibility and low cognitive load.

Throughout the design phase, I created wireframes and interface concepts in Figma while also experimenting with AI-supported tools to rapidly test ideas, layouts and interaction patterns. This allowed me to explore concepts faster and validate directions early in the process.

Core features included:

Support Now

Step-by-step guidance during symptoms or uncertainty.

Check-ins

Track symptoms, energy and wellbeing over time.

My Progress

Visualize recovery patterns and personal progress.

Accessibility & Emotional Design

Accessibility and emotional design became central throughout the project.

Because the target group may experience stress, fatigue and cognitive overload, I intentionally designed the experience to feel:

calm
clear
supportive
easy to navigate

The solution followed inclusive design principles and WCAG guidelines, including:

clear navigation
large touch targets
accessible contrast
simple language
low information stress

I also worked actively with tone of voice and visual hierarchy to reduce stress and create emotional reassurance rather than a clinical experience.

Reflection

This project deepened my understanding of emotional design and designing for vulnerable situations.

One key insight was that users do not always need more information, they need the right support at the right moment.

Tools & Methods

Figma · Figma AI · Figma Make · Claude · Lovable · User Research · Personas · Wireframes · Interactive Prototypes · User Flows · Crazy 8’s · How Might We · Information Architecture · WCAG · Accessibility · UX Writing