Overview
Designing an app icon for Uniwell, a mobile application focused on student mental health and wellness. The challenge was creating something approachable yet serious, modern yet warm.
The Brief
Uniwell is a mental wellness platform designed specifically for university students. The app needed an icon that would feel at home on a student's phone—something that didn't scream 'mental health app' but still conveyed care, growth, and support.
The name 'Uniwell' combines 'university' and 'wellness,' and the icon needed to bridge both worlds without being too literal about either.
Exploration
I explored numerous directions: abstract shapes suggesting growth, letterforms, symbolic representations of connection and support. Each concept was evaluated against the core criteria: approachability, memorability, and scalability.
The Decision
The final direction emerged from thinking about what wellness actually looks like day-to-day for students. It's not dramatic breakthroughs—it's small moments of clarity, connection, and calm. The chosen icon reflects this through its balanced, centered composition.
We prioritized a design that would work equally well at 16px (notification icon) and 1024px (App Store). The simplified forms ensure legibility at any scale while maintaining visual interest.
Final Mark
Reflection
Designing for mental health requires particular sensitivity. The icon needed to avoid clinical coldness while also respecting the seriousness of the space. I'm proud of landing on something that feels both inviting and trustworthy—exactly what a student might need when reaching out for support.