Aria
ADHD Study Support Partner App
The Aria App is the companion app for the Aria study support social robot. The app provides a digital tool for customising study sessions, tracking focus metrics, setting goals, and reinforcing positive study habits.
Explore the Aria project here
role
UX Design
timeline
December to March 2025
project type
Self-directed Continuation of Honours Capstone Project
the problem
Many students with ADHD struggle with focus, motivation, and time management, leading to high university dropout rates. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group. Traditional study tools often fail to provide the real-time support that can be most impactful for this group.
concept development
The concept for a companion app for the Aria device was considered early in the design process as a way to extend Aria’s functionality beyond the physical device, and to bring more function to users.
Initial planning explored how an app could provide deeper customisation, track study patterns, and offer additional support tailored to individual needs.
key findings and pain points
Lack of Personalisation in Study Tools
Many students struggle with study tools that don’t adapt to their unique learning needs, leading to disengagement and frustration.
Difficulty in Tracking Progress & Refining Habits
Without clear insights into their progress, students often struggle to identify areas for improvement in their study habits.
Inconsistent Feedback & Lack of Real-Time Support
Students frequently lack adaptive, real-time feedback, which can result in decreased productivity and disengagement during study sessions.
Manual Device Management & Lack of Seamless Integration
Manual adjustments to device settings disrupt the flow of studying, causing interruptions and reducing focus during sessions.
These insights led to the core question
How might we design an app that enhances the functionality of the Aria device, offering effective customisation and support to improve the study experience and boost productivity for university students with ADHD?
defining initial user flow
After identifying the key functions and features of the Aria app, an initial user flow was mapped out, to ensure a simple and seamless experience when connecting the Aria device with the users phone.
Mentor Feedback
“The device connection experience is a key moment—how can we make it more visually engaging and rewarding? Consider how Apple creates a seamless, delightful pairing process with synced animations and strong visual feedback to enhance the user’s first interaction."
initial wireframes
After refining the user flow based on mentor feedback, initial digital wireframes were created in Figma.
This iteration focused on designing the device pairing experience. By ensuring a smooth and engaging connection process, users could immediately feel a sense of ownership and excitement, reinforcing the device’s value before progressing further.
mid-fidelity wireframes
After refining the onboarding process, the next stage involved creating mid-fidelity mock-ups, focusing on how users would interact with the app’s core features. This phase aimed to refine the study session experience, ensuring smooth navigation, clear feedback, and minimal cognitive load. Key considerations included structuring focus tracking data, and guiding users through the pre-study sessions.
hi-fidelity mockups
onboarding and connecting aria
For the high-fidelity mockups, I designed an engaging onboarding experience that establishes an immediate connection between users and Aria.Inspired by the Apple Watch pairing process, users scan Aria’s screen to initiate pairing, triggering a synchronised animation on their phone, followed by Aria waving to reinforce emotional connection.
I also designed clear, actionable error screens to minimise friction and provide clear, actionable guidance.
These refinements enhance usability, reduce onboarding friction, and set the foundation for a more intuitive and engaging interaction with the app.
session planning
The session planner section was designed to give users control over their study habits while seamlessly integrating with the Aria device.
Users can schedule sessions and start sessions directly from the app, reinforcing a structured study routine.
To ensure effortless engagement, I introduced home screen widgets for real-time session tracking and lock screen notifications to provide timely reminders without disrupting the user’s workflow.
These design decisions focused on minimising cognitive load and making study planning as frictionless as possible, aligning with best practices in habit formation and user engagement.
metrics and report
The Metrics and Report section was designed to empower users with insights into their study patterns and progress over time. Users can track their daily, weekly, and monthly study hours, helping them stay motivated and on track with their goals.
The AI-generated report provides a detailed analysis of their study behaviours, offering valuable insights on focus trends, time management, and productivity.
This feature also includes a share option, enabling users to easily share their progress with peers or mentors. The design prioritises clarity and usability, ensuring that users can quickly interpret their data and take actionable steps to improve their study habits.
first session with aria
The first session with Aria walkthrough was designed to ensure users feel confident and supported as they begin using the device.
Before starting the study session, users are guided through an easy-to-understand walkthrough of the key features on the screen. This serves to familiarise them with the app’s functionalities and ensures a smooth onboarding experience. The guide also provides context for each feature, explaining how the device and app work together to support focus and productivity.
By placing this step right before the study session begins, it helps minimise confusion and friction, ensuring users are comfortable and ready to engage with the device.
final design outcome
key features
Customisable Study Modes
Users can tailor Aria’s behaviour to fit their study needs, adjusting settings like session length, focus reminders, and interaction styles to create a personalised experience.
Study Tracking & Insights
The app records study sessions, focus levels, and interaction data, providing students with progress reports and insights to help them refine their study habits over time.
Adaptive Feedback & Guidance
Aria analyses user engagement and provides real-time adjustments, such as recommending focus techniques, adjusting lighting or movement, and suggesting break times based on study performance.
Device Synchronisation & Controls
The app serves as a remote control for the Aria device, allowing users to manage its functions, update settings, and enable specific support features for a seamless, integrated study experience.
