Exploring and Framing AIX Design Challenge

As a group, we were tasked with identifying a design problem, developing a solution, and bringing that solution to life through an app that uses Generative AI. Our design problem focuses on a common issue in today’s fast-paced world: many people move through their days without taking time to pause, reflect, or process their experiences. When reflection is pushed aside, it can lead to increased anxiety and a growing sense of disconnection from both oneself and the world around them. This led us to ask: How might we help people reflect and journal in a way that feels natural and fits seamlessly into their everyday schedules?

To work toward a solution, we began with research. First, we explored why journaling and reflection are important. Research published by Cambridge University Press shows that journaling and self-reflection can improve psychological well-being, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. However, we also found that many people struggle to maintain a journaling habit due to time constraints, the effort required, and a lack of guidance. Because of this, we aim to create a safe, approachable space where users can reflect on their thoughts and emotions while also feeling connected to others. Using AI capabilities, the experience supports journaling through guidance, personalization, and community discussions.

We also conducted a competitor analysis to better understand what makes existing journaling apps successful, where they fall short, and where opportunities exist for our own app. Using a New York Times article, we analyzed three major competitors: Day One, Apple Journal, and Rosebud. Day One’s strengths include a clean interface, cross-device functionality, and the ability to add photos, videos, audio, and text entries. However, some features require payment, and parts of the app can feel cluttered. Apple Journal stood out for its simple layout, free access for Apple users, and prompts generated from daily activity, but it is limited to Apple devices and lacks strong organizational features. Rosebud’s strengths include its ease of use, AI-generated prompts, and compatibility across phones and computers. Its weaknesses include prompts that can feel generic, paid features, and occasional app glitches.

After completing this research, I shared my findings with ChatGPT to help create a clear comparison table of the three apps. This made it easier to see what worked well and what did not across each platform, and it helped us identify features we could successfully incorporate or improve upon in our own app.

Through this process, we realized how challenging it can be to create a journaling app that truly stands out. One key opportunity we identified was the addition of a community chat feature. This element adds value and uniqueness while still aligning with the core purpose of journaling and reflection. I genuinely enjoyed researching journaling apps because reflection is something I am personally passionate about. I often struggle with fully expressing myself, so journaling has been a meaningful outlet for me. Being able to design an app that supports reflection while also helping users connect with others who may be experiencing similar emotions feels especially rewarding.