Hannah Wittenstein's Portfolio

EXPLORING ACTIVE LEARNING IN MENTAL HEALTH

Headspace

EXPLORING ACTIVE LEARNING IN MENTAL HEALTH

Headspace

EXPLORING ACTIVE LEARNING IN MENTAL HEALTH

Headspace

In this independent design exploration, I explored where Headspace could evolve next. It's already well-positioned as a place for well-rounded mental health education and has proven itself as a reliable tool. Building upon this foundation, I designed interactive practice modules to encourage active skill-building that goes beyond passive consumption.

Note: work not affiliated with Headspace; the company's public brand guidelines are applied

Everymind is an interactive experience comprising 12 spaces, each with unique learning goals, that increase mental health literacy to help people improve their well-being and foster human connection.

DURATION

6 weeks

ROLE

Product designer (solo)

CLIENT

Honda Research Institute

SKILLS

UI/UX, market research, branding

TOOLS

Figma

CONTEXT

Digital mental health tools are largely passive, but mental health requires active learning

Digital mental health tools have become widely accessible, but much of the current market is built around passive learning: short videos, advice, and one-off moments of relief. While these experiences can be helpful, they often stop at awareness.

Mental health skills are active and relational. Without opportunities to actively practice what they’re learning, people may understand concepts without knowing how to apply them when it matters. The gap between learning and practicing became my starting point for this project.

JUMP TO SOLUTION

WHY HEADSPACE

Headspace is already positioned as a place for daily mental health care

The platform has helped make mental health more approachable, and it's increasingly positioned as a trusted place for learning and support. While many digital mental health tools focus on symptom relief, Headspace is paving the way toward proactive mental health support, expanding beyond meditation into broader mental health education.

WHY HEADSPACE

Headspace is already positioned as a place for daily mental health care

WHY HEADSPACE

Headspace is already positioned as a place for daily mental health care

Why this mattered to me

As a designer interested in mental health education and behavior change, I was curious where Headspace could evolve next, building upon its trusted platform to help people move from learning about skills to practicing and applying them.

OPPORTUNITY

From a passive, exploratory experience to an active, guided one

While Headspace excels at introducing concepts in an approachable way, much of the experience is built around tradeoffs that shape how members learn over time. While these choices have helped Headspace scale, at the same time, I see a meaningful opportunity to build on its strengths:

HEADSPACE TODAY

REIMAGINED

Passive

Building awareness of skills, not practicing them

Active

Interactive, skill-based learning focused on real-world scenarios

Exploratory

Requiring members to self-direct when they may be overwhelmed

Guided

Gentle nudges and scaffolded learning without removing autonomy

Individual

Solo engagement despite mental health being deeply relational

Collective

Long-term

Skill-building in shared spaces to extend impact beyond the screen

REIGNITING THE MISSION

How might Headspace evolve from a place of learning into a place of active skill-building, while staying approachable and compassionate at scale?

SOLUTION

An active, guided approach to mental health skill-building

Practice Paths are guided, interactive learning programs that help members actively build mental health skills over time. Rather than browsing standalone content, members follow scaffolded learning journeys focused on specific skills.

*Screens use structure of existing Headspace programs; changed content to reflect Practice Paths

Supporting long-term skill development through 3 core principles

From awareness to application

Concepts move beyond recognition into practice, supporting long-term behavior change.

Visible growth noticed over time

Progress becomes tangible, supporting habit formation and providing a real sense of improvement.

Thoughtfully

sequenced skills

Thoughtfully sequenced skills

Lessons build upon each other, making new skills easier to apply and reinforcing confidence.

Practice Paths make progress structured, visible, and consistent

Interactive lessons like on-the-go quizzes, role-play scenarios, and thought exercises encourage engagement that goes deeper than passive consumption.

QUIZ

Recognizing cognitive distortions through active reasoning

Short exercises fit into daily life while still requiring active thinking

Immediate feedback reinforces learning in the moment

Repeated pattern recognition makes distortions easier to spot in real life

ROLE-PLAY

Reframing cognitive distortions in real-life situations

Cognitive reframing is introduced through familiar relational contexts

Compassion is practiced outward, then applied inward

Reflection supports follow-through beyond the app

GUIDED APPROACH

Extending guidance through gentle nudges

A member's Practice Path is surfaced on the home page to encourage consistent progress. Gentle nudges across the app support a member's learning goals, supplementing their Practice Path with related concepts and guided skill-building.

HOME PAGE

EXPLORE PAGE

*Changes shown in color; existing app elements in grayscale

EMPATHETIC DESIGN

Sensitive design lives in the details

I recognize that mental health is an innately sensitive topic, and Headspace is trusted to support members in their journey. I designed with this in mind, creating moments of joy and support through small, thoughtful UI elements and language choices.

EMPATHETIC DESIGN

Sensitive design lives in the details

1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.
1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.
1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.
1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.

1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.
1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.
1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.
1
Character expressions to reinforce a supportive learning tone
Familiar Headspace faces integrated into the progress bar make skill-building feel warm and human rather than evaluative. Expressions adapt to responses, celebrating correct answers and responding to mistakes with empathy rather than correction.
2
Language that encourages resilience, not perfection
Incorrect answers are met with gentle feedback to emphasize growth, not perfection, as the goal. Explanations reinforce reasoning and support knowledge retention.
3
Progress framed as growth, not performance
Session results emphasize long-term development rather than one-time accuracy. Members see their overall Practice Path progress alongside time spent learning today, shifting focus from "getting it right" to sustained growth over time.
4
Intention-setting to support real-world habit formation
At the end of a session, members may be prompted to set a small, specific intention for applying a skill during their day. This bridges in-app learning with real-life practice and encourages follow-through beyond the app.
5
Moments of delight that reinforce a growth mindset
At the end of a session review, an affirming message creates a moment of delight and reminds that growth is gradual and ongoing.

DESIGNING FOR THE HEADSPACE ECOSYSTEM

Building on Headspace's existing strengths

12 foundational skills, all in one place

Before introducing new patterns, I studied the app's existing learning flows, content structures, and interaction tone. Practice Paths build on familiar interaction patterns so the experience would feel intuitive for members and feasible for product teams to implement.

Twelve spaces, each with their own learning goals, highlight concepts fundamental to achieving optimal well-being—and along the way, growth, connection, and self-awareness. Featured below are some of the interactive spaces most critical to the purpose of the experience.

EXISTING

Headspace course overview

EVOLUTION

Practice Path overview

Familiar course structure for guided skill-building

Practice Path builds on Headspace’s structured course overview, adapting the familiar format to guide members through skill-building lessons and track their progress.

EXISTING

Headspace reflection moment

EVOLUTION

Practice Path reflection question

Reflection prompts that encourage active engagement

Practice Path expands on moments of reflection in Headspace lessons by introducing concept-based prompts that ask members to write out their thoughts, reinforcing conceptual understanding.

EXISTING

Headspace reminder prompt

EVOLUTION

Practice Path intention prompt

Intention setting that supports real-world practice

Headspace encourages habit-building through daily reminders to return to the app. Practice Path extends this by prompting members to set small intentions to apply newly practiced skills in real-life situations.

CONSIDERING TRADE-OFFS

Balancing structure, agency, and emotional tone

I considered several trade-offs to shape the design of Practice Paths, ensuring the experience stays empowering, approachable, and aligned with Headspace's voice.

Preserving agency within guidance

While paths are guided, members retain flexibility to explore content at their own pace, preventing over-prescription

Balancing cognitive load with depth

Interactive lessons are lightweight, so daily use feels approachable rather than demanding

Maintaining a supportive tone

Feedback and prompts are supportive and growth-oriented, avoiding language that feels corrective or evaluative

POTENTIAL IMPACT

Designing for mental health outcomes at scale

12 foundational skills, all in one place

I considered how an active, guided approach could influence outcomes across individuals, the product itself, and the broader mental health landscape.

For members

Deeper skill internalization

Learning the right skill at the right time can make it easier for members to apply them in daily life.

Reduced cognitive load

When stress or overwhelm are high, fewer options can make it easier to engage.

Increased confidence

Building skills can help members work toward personal goals, providing a sense of improvement beyond consumption of content.

For Headspace

Increased member retention

Skill-building can inspire ongoing use by making Headspace integral to personal growth rather than one-off relief.

Modeling ethical, care-centered personalization

Gentle guidance sets a precedent for personalization that prioritizes well-being outcomes over engagement alone.

Clearer value differentiation

Active learning can help Headspace stand out from other wellness apps that primarily offer passive consumption.

For society

Greater emotional skill-building at scale

Active practice helps translate mental health concepts into usable skills, noticed from individual to community levels.

Earlier intervention to reduce harm severity

Equipping people with foundational skills can help to foster well-being before challenges arise.

Reduced stigma

When mental health skill-building is framed as something everyone practices, it becomes more approachable.

Takeaways

Designing within an existing system creates more adoptable solutions.

A client's ask doesn't always address the real challenge; users reveal the underlying needs.

Mental health tools require trust, which Headspace has, so instead of designing from the ground up, I worked within existing brand and interaction patterns so I could focus on the finer details of the experience. Designing within an existing system allowed me to create a solution that feels more realistic, adoptable, and aligned with the product's potential evolution.

Working with a non-traditional high school brought about several challenges. We had to navigate ambiguity by uncovering the true needs hiding behind the perceived need for more space. We also learned to tackle emotional literacy skill-building in a way that was comfortable to hesitant students by incorporating it in ways sensitive to various comfort levels.

KEEP EXPLORING

Emotion Cloud

Why are we here if not to connect?

Reach out!

Email me

KEEP EXPLORING

Emotion Cloud

Why are we here if not to connect?

Reach out!

Email me

Why are we here if not to connect?

Reach out!

Email me

WHY HEADSPACE

WHY HEADSPACE

WHY HEADSPACE

SOLUTION

QUIZ

ROLE-PLAY

GUIDED APPROACH

© 2026 Hannah Wittenstein

© 2026 Hannah Wittenstein

© 2026 Hannah Wittenstein