App Prototype

Calmi

Quynh ngo

Torrington, CT

Advisor: Ting zhou

Artist Bio

Quynh Ngo is a UI/UX designer based in Torrington, Connecticut. She is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media & Design with a concentration in Web Interactive & Design at the University of Connecticut. Her work centers on designing thoughtful visual interfaces that support behavior change through clarity, pacing, and storytelling. She approaches design with an emphasis on empathy, focusing on how interaction flow and visual feedback shape user motivation and long-term engagement. Quynh works across Figma, HTML, and CSS, translating concepts into functional, user-centered experiences. She is currently a UI/UX Designer at i3, where she designs product mockups, websites, and page redesigns, collaborating across teams to create intuitive and purposeful digital experiences.

Artist Statement

I created Calmi, a focus app that helps users stay productive by combining the Pomodoro method with mindfulness exercises. The idea came from my own struggle to stay motivated and calm amid constant demands. I noticed that many productivity apps emphasize efficiency but rarely support reflection or a meaningful sense of progress beyond checklists. Calmi addresses this gap by turning focus and self-care into a calm, visual journey.

Calmi tracks progress through a constellation-inspired system where each completed task becomes a star. Over time, these stars connect to form constellations that represent projects, habits, or personal milestones. As users continue to grow, larger goals expand into the Milky Way, symbolizing long-term balance and personal development. Supporting this journey is Calmi’s AI chatbot, a gentle companion that provides encouragement, personalized guidance, and supportive prompts to help users stay grounded and motivated. Alongside this visual progress system, Calmi promotes mindful breaks through guided meditation, breathing, and stretching exercises that help users recharge and refocus.

The interface was designed to feel gentle, structured, and engaging. Clean, minimal visuals inspired by starlight and night skies create a calming atmosphere, with both light and dark modes to support comfort and accessibility.

This project reinforced my belief that thoughtful design can encourage healthy habits through emotional balance. Calmi reflects my approach to designing for behavior change, creating experiences that feel meaningful, supportive, and calming, even within busy everyday routines.