Designing for Retention & Engagement
At arise, my work focused on elevating the mobile user experience and designing features that drive long-term engagement and retention. The app’s unique selling point — a gamified approach to calorie tracking — offered the ideal foundation to apply my background in mobile gaming and behavioral design.
“With over 3 million downloads, proven coaching methods, and thousands of positive reviews, Arise helps users lose weight sustainably — combining nutrition plans, mindful tracking, and personalized motivation in one intuitive app.”
UX Case: Retention Optimization for Arise (Gamified Calorie Tracker)
I worked directly with the founder during the early stages of the product, contributing to the rapid development and refinement of the Arise app with a strong focus on UI/UX. In a fast-paced, iterative environment, I helped shape core user journeys, establish visual clarity, and define product priorities based on real user needs and behavioral data. While collaborating across functions, my role was highly autonomous — from UX audits and wireframing to visual design and system thinking.
My responsibility:
I owned the user experience end-to-end — ensuring consistency, usability, and emotional resonance throughout the app. I translated strategic goals into intuitive, motivating interfaces and worked hands-on to turn early product hypotheses into scalable design solutions. Working closely with the founder allowed me to move quickly, make impactful decisions, and build a product that now supports millions in building healthier habits.
Shaping Visibility, Motivation & Growth
Beyond the in-app experience, I collaborated closely with the Arise team to elevate the app’s presence in the App Store through visually optimized assets, narrative-driven feature storytelling, and tailored design for iOS and Android guidelines. I introduced gamification strategies — such as milestone framing, streak logic, and motivational UI triggers — to increase user retention and emotional engagement even before first launch.
My creative contributions were featured in Apple editorial placements, helping Arise gain visibility across multiple regions. As a result, organic installs grew by 28 % within 3 months, and the app was highlighted in “Apps We Love” as well as in several category-specific curated collections.
On a personal note:
Working on Arise was one of the most rewarding chapters of my design journey. Being trusted early on to help shape a product that impacts the daily lives of so many people gave me room to grow – creatively, strategically, and personally. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust, the momentum, and the shared belief in good design as a tool for real change.
