Project Overview

This project explores how gentle gamification and emotionally reflective interaction design can support young adults (ages 18–25) navigating recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Rather than focusing on productivity or streak-based success, the project emphasizes emotional awareness, self-compassion, and non-punitive progress.

Through comparative analysis of existing recovery and wellness apps, along with early usability testing and qualitative interviews, I identified recurring issues in current tools: overly rigid structures, achievement-driven mechanics, and interfaces that unintentionally reinforce shame or failure after relapse.

These findings directly informed my design decisions. I developed a gamified system centered on soft feedback, sensory interaction, and metaphor-driven progression instead of numerical goals or streaks. Characters, environments, and interaction mechanics were designed to respond gently to user input, reinforcing the idea that progress is nonlinear and that setbacks do not erase growth.