MakeSpace

gamification / art / habit formation / tracking

end-to-end mobile app

transforming simple art exercises into lasting creative habits

Many people want to make art but struggle to find the time, confidence, or resources to begin. MakeSpace encourages users to “make space” in their day to build a joyful art habit, turning moments into creative opportunities through simple prompts, accessible materials, and a gamified progress system.

Duration
2 Weeks

Role
UX Design, Research, Branding

Tools
Figma, Miro, Photoshop, Illustrator

opportunity

to help users develop a habit of creating art regularly without overthinking the process and enjoying it

Problem

Many want to make art but face barriers like time, fear of imperfection, and uncertainty about where to start, making it hard to build a consistent creative habit.

Solution

MakeSpace helps users build a creative habit through gamified art prompts, motivational mechanics, and progress tracking, the experience makes creativity easy, enjoyable, and sustainable.

Outcome

Empowering users to show up creatively without fear or perfectionism, while building confidence, reducing stress, and having fun along the way.

AT A GLANCE

Fun fact: all the artwork you are seeing is mine!

RESEARCH

46% of Americans use creative hobbies to relieve stress or anxiety.

Competitive Market Analysis

to compare art apps and learn from gamified platforms

Daily Art

bite-sized daily content

widget integration

curation of personal board

Simply Draw

step-by-step guidance

self-paced format

community boards for sharing

Duolingo

gamification and progress tracking

social interaction features

motivating branding and language

Skillshare

skill building

guided format

tailored to skill level

“I want to occupy my time to feel productive but also have fun.”

“I want to get into a creative habit I can keep long-term.”

“I love the idea of making art, but I don't know where to start.”

Target Users

- Casual hobbyists looking for low-intensity exercises and prompts at their own pace;

- Time-constrained creators seeking relaxation in short sessions (10–20mins);

- Users with limited access to art materials who prefer simple, hassle-free activities.

Method

In-depth interviews with users to explore their current art habits, motivations, and challenges with fitting creative practice into their daily routines.

Key Insights

Open Creativity

beginners want guidance, hobbyists relaxed exercises, and artists skill-building challenges

Fostering Motivation

positive language, progress tracking and celebrating goals encourage continued practice

Building a Community

sharing work and social features build excitement and make creating more enjoyable

DESIGN PROCESS & ITERATION

How might we...help users overcome blank-page anxiety, focus on the process over the final product, and make streaks rewarding for users to keep returning?

Onboarding

Home

Explore

Add

Gallery

Diary

User Feedback

“If I miss a day, can I still see what my friends posted before?”

"What happens if I miss today's entry?"

"I don’t want to post daily. I want to set my own streak intervals."

Social & Engagement Features

Users like that they connecting with friends and the inclusion of widgets and reminders.

Motivation & Missed Days

Users are concerned about losing motivation if they miss a day.

Personalization & Flexibility

Not all users want to create daily; some prefer flexibility in their streaks.

SOLUTION

Motivating Features for Users

Goal-Driven Onboarding

An onboarding process that sets clear expectations and motivates users by letting them define their own creative goals and choose their preferred practice intervals, aligning their journey with their skills, resources, and pace.

Social Interaction

Social features like connecting with friends, posting before viewing others, following artists and receiving feedback encourages participation and builds community engagement.