Māra

I designed Māra, a wellness app concept that helps users externalize mental obstacles so they can regain focus and calm. When a distraction arises, users are invited to notice it, label it, briefly reflect, and then release it.

In Buddhist tradition, the Buddha is tested by Māra, a demon that represents distraction and inner obstacles, often described as five hindrances: aversion, restlessness, desire, torpor, and doubt.

These five hindrances are visualized through water analogies. Inspired by this imagery, I represented the hindrances as concentric ripples, using color to reflect each metaphor.

The bright colors of Restlessness reflect the energy of choppy waters, representing a mind that cannot settle down.

Doubt is when criticism and fear obstruct progress, represented by cloudy, turbulent, dark water.

Torpor is laziness, sloth, and lethargy, visualized as thick layers of mud and moss on the surface of a lake.

Desire is the pull of attachment, pleasure, and greed, represented by a colorful dye blooming in a glass of still water.

Aversion is symbolized as a pot of boiling water, when the heat of anger, avoidance, and disgust bubbles under the surface.

Design Process

I brainstormed user flow and built wireframes on Figma. For my final prototype, I transitioned to After Effects for further control over effects and transitions.

Low fidelity

Medium fidelity

High fidelity

I built custom moving gradient backgrounds for each page on After Effects.

Design