CalmSync: A Trauma-Sensitive Product Ecosystem for Survivors
HEALTH
UI/UX
SnapShot
Timeline
March 2025
Industry
Health
Role
Lead UX Designer
Team
1 Lead UX Designer
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Overview
CalmSync is a trauma-sensitive product ecosystem designed to provide survivors with real-time, discreet emotional support during moments of distress. Spanning a wearable, mobile app, and desktop experience, CalmSync offers personalized grounding tools, biofeedback, and calming routines that adapt to each user’s emotional patterns. Unlike traditional mindfulness apps, CalmSync is intentionally trauma-informed, prioritizing emotional safety, privacy, and simplicity. The experience is designed to feel supportive rather than clinical, empowering users to regain a sense of control during panic, flashbacks, or emotional overwhelm, wherever they are.
Support without the stigma
For many trauma survivors, daily life can be disrupted by flashbacks, panic attacks, or emotional dysregulation. Generic mindfulness tools often fall short, feeling too impersonal or public. CalmSync was designed to change that: a trauma-informed, discreet support system that empowers users in real time, without judgment or overwhelm.
Problem: When trauma resurfaces, support often falls short.
Survivors navigating life after trauma often face sudden moments of emotional overwhelm, yet most tools focus on generic mindfulness, not trauma-informed care. These gaps leave users without real-time, discreet support when they need it most. While therapists and loved ones want to help, there’s a need for tools that respond with sensitivity, privacy, and personalization.
Goal: Create a safe, responsive space for emotional regulation.
Design a trauma-informed support system that offers real-time grounding without judgment. The goal was to build a tool that feels calm, private, and empowering helping users navigate panic, flashbacks, or dissociation with personalized care that adapts to their emotional patterns.
Research: Why do existing mental health tools fall short for trauma survivors?
I started by reviewing existing mindfulness and mental health apps to see how they support users in moments of emotional distress. While these tools offer general relaxation techniques, I found that they often lack real-time responsiveness and personalization needed for trauma survivors experiencing flashbacks or panic attacks.
To dive deeper, I interviewed trauma survivors and mental health professionals. They shared frustrations with overly complex interfaces and generic guidance that didn’t fit their unique emotional needs. This research revealed a clear need for a discreet, trauma-sensitive platform that provides personalized support exactly when it’s needed most.
Key Takeaways from User Interviews
Insights
User interviews revealed that survivors want discreet, real-time support that feels personal and non-judgmental. Many found existing apps too clinical or overwhelming during emotional distress. They emphasized the need for simple grounding exercises, biofeedback, and customizable features that respond to their unique triggers and emotional patterns.
Affinity Map
User Interviews
Ideation: Designing tools that support emotional regulation in trauma-sensitive moments.
After identifying key needs around safety, personalization, and ease of use, I began brainstorming ways to help users feel grounded and supported without overwhelming them or triggering distress.
The concepts focused on delivering calming techniques through customizable sensory experiences, integrating discreet wearables, and using soft UI cues to foster emotional trust and stability during high stress moments.
User Interviews
Development: Mid-Fi prototype focused on personalized, trauma-sensitive support
Following initial ideation and wireframing, I created a mid-fidelity prototype that delivers grounding techniques through a calming, intuitive interface. The design emphasizes emotional safety with gentle visuals, personalized content, and simple navigation, aiming to support users in moments of stress without overstimulation.
Mid-Fi Sketch
Pain Points
Journey Map
User Testing
To assess usability and emotional impact, we conducted mid-fidelity prototype testing with individuals affected by trauma. Participants appreciated the calming tone and discreet design but noted some challenges with navigating between grounding tools and emergency features. Users emphasized the need for immediate clarity during high-stress moments. Feedback helped us refine visual hierarchy, simplify instructions, and prioritize accessibility, ensuring the experience feels intuitive, supportive, and safe during moments of distress.
User Testing Key Metrics
Final Design: Bringing calm within reach anytime, anywhere.
CalmSync is a personalized support tool for managing anxiety, panic, and emotional overwhelm. Designed for ease and discretion, it offers quick access to grounding exercises, soothing visuals, and calming routines.
The final design prioritizes clarity and speed so users can find what they need without added stress. Key features like the “Anchor Now” panic response, emotion tracking, and personalized strategies help users
feel safe, supported, and in control, wherever they are.
Ideation: Develop a product combining top budgeting features with simplicity and user support.
After uncovering key user needs simplicity, automation, and supportive guidance. I explored a design idea to transform budgeting from stressful to approachable. I focused on solutions that could help users feel supported, automate routine tasks, and provide clear progress insights without overwhelm.
Lo-Fi Sketches
Development: Mid-Fi sketches
After refining my initial ideas, I created a mid-fidelity prototype to explore how PiggyBank could offer users a calm, supportive budgeting experience. This prototype focused on simplifying inputs, providing gentle guidance, and helping users feel more in control of their spending. Testing at this stage helped validate core features and ensure the flow felt approachable and intuitive.
Mid-Fi Wireframes
User Testing
Through user testing sessions, I gathered valuable feedback on my mid-fidelity prototype. Users appreciated the simplicity and automation in the design and liked how personalized guidance was praised but some found it overwhelming. Testing revealed that combining easy automation with gentle, visual encouragement best supports users in feeling confident and judged-free while managing money.
User Testing Key Metrics
Final Design: Develop a calm, supportive budgeting experience that encourages without judgment.
The final design centers on fostering a space where users feel supported managing their money. Features like simple goal tracking, savings budgets, and clear insights help users stay in control and motivated, reducing stress and building confidence.
Ground, Breathe, and Regain Control
CalmSync’s breathing exercises screen offers soothing, guided visuals to help users regulate their nervous system in moments of distress. The accompanying dashboard allows for personal customization, users can adjust the pace, duration, and type of breath work based on what calms them best. By tailoring techniques to individual needs, CalmSync ensures every session feels safe, effective, and truly supportive.
Visual Identity: Calm, Soothing, and Trustworthy Design
CalmSync’s visual identity features a soft, muted palette of blues and gentle greys to evoke calm and safety. Combined with clean, rounded typography and simple iconography, the design creates a welcoming, non-intimidating space that feels both professional and comforting, helping users feel supported during challenging moments.
