Dala – Life Understood

Our core design challenge was to rethink what a wellbeing app feels like, and how it functions. Rather than relying on an endless menu of sleep stories and activities, Dala's core focus is to provide curated advice based on your unique experience, and tailored daily schedules. The design is intended to respect Time - users are not encouraged to spend all day in the app, but dip in and out as they need. Good wellbeing is also inherently personal, and the design needed to reflect this unique experience, and feel uplifting, calm, and easy to access.

At the heart of Dala is the Orb - a rotating 'viewfinder' that changes throughout the day to focus on what to do next - starting with a Morning Ritual. The rest of the UI is inherently simple, minimal, and distraction free. While Dala hosts a resource library, we focus on surfacing what is relevant, when its relevant. Dala's AI companion is always present and accessible, through either text or voice, and provides feedback and recommended resources. In the evening, users can close out their day with a Evening Check in - completing the loop.

Mental wellbeing is in huge demand - but many people still struggle with the concept of mental 'health'. Dala helps anyone to start to understand themselves better, and learn daily practices around health and wellbeing, without judgement or fear of being labelled. Dala marks a new age of health apps that focuses on supporting users to stay away from screens as much as possible. We have completed two studies with QUT programs and are preparing an upcoming study on how Dala can support women's health broadly, through shared experiences in the app.

Dala incorporates: A brand and design system based on colourful, atmospheric imagery Speech recognition tools to allow for verbal (or typed) daily check-ins Generative AI feedback based on user inputs on daily journalling A library of resources designed for mental and emotional strength that incorporate both written and audio Resources designed to be ’screen free’ where possible The Home ’Orb’ that rotates throughout the day to help individuals see what’s on their wellbeing agenda, and focus their efforts A daily schedule, from the intention setting Morning Ritual to an Evening Check-in, that helps structure a full day of wellbeing practices