ThetaCore
Empowering behavioral wellness, leadership, and communication through innovation.
ThetaCore set out to translate years of behavioral science research into a platform that could help real people—military personnel, students, and professionals—navigate leadership and wellness. But while the vision was clear, the user experience was not.
ThetaCore’s mission is to equip organizations like universities, the U.S. military, and public schools with effective behavioral wellness tools. By transforming years of behavioral science into a simple, user-friendly app, the goal is to reduce mental health risks and help save lives.
To make this mission meaningful for users, we focused on providing a way for people to connect more deeply, fostering better communication and understanding without relying on time-consuming one-on-one meetings. We designed a familiar app experience that prioritizes privacy, allowing users to share sensitive information confidently within their trusted circles or connections
Every journey begins with a question—and for this project, it was, "How can we make mental wellness tools more impactful for diverse users?" To answer it, I started by dissecting existing mental health apps to uncover their strengths and shortcomings. Drawing on behavioral science research and stakeholder interviews, I shaped a vision rooted in user needs. Here’s how the process unfolded:
01 - Research & Ideation
The discovery phase took me to classrooms at BYU, where I worked closely with students, administrators, and professors to uncover their unique challenges. Insights deepened through conversations with Navy wing commanders, who shared perspectives on behavioral wellness in military contexts. Meanwhile, interviews with Kamehameha School's district in Hawaii illuminated a critical gap—tools for easy wellbeing check-ins were missing. Armed with these insights, I organized workshops to channel ideas into actionable solutions that reflected a wide range of voices
03 - Functional Specification & Wireframes
Turning concepts into structure, I built a Functional Specification and Wireframes that outlined critical journeys—like wellbeing check-ins, privacy management, and engagement features. Accessibility was more than a goal; it was a guiding principle. WCAG AA-compliance informed every detail, ensuring the platform was not only functional but welcoming to all users.
05 - Final Designs
The final design integrates the WCAG AA-compliant design system into a clean, user-focused interface that combines functionality with aesthetics. Interactive elements—such as wellbeing check-ins, real-time progress tracking, and personal impact stories—were refined using accessible design principles, ensuring an intuitive and inclusive user experience.
02 - Journey Mapping
With the research in hand, I mapped out user journeys that brought the design to life. From students and educators to military personnel, I considered how each interaction could feel seamless and empowering. Accessibility was always at the core—every flow leveraged the WCAG AA-compliant design system to ensure inclusivity and clarity. Whether checking in on wellbeing or accessing confidential tools, users were met with experiences tailored to their diverse needs.
04 - Visual Design & Design System
During the concept phase, I crafted a cohesive visual language that emphasized trust and community, selecting colors, typography, and layouts to balance approachability with professionalism. Simultaneously, I began building a WCAG AA-compliant design system to standardize accessible components and ensure consistency across the platform, keeping accessibility and clarity at the forefront.
06 - Implementation & Growth
Collaboration was key to bringing this design to life. Partnering with engineers, we worked sprint by sprint, aligning data structures and iterating on the WCAG AA-compliant design system to streamline implementation. Each sprint culminated in thorough testing, ensuring the platform delivered on both user expectations and the original design vision.
Real People, Real Impact
Director of Research Operations
U.S. Dept. Veterans Affairs
Maintenance Officer
U.S. Navy
Athletics Executive
D1 University
Clinical Associate Professor
D1 University
Wing Commander
U.S. Air Force
C-Suite Executive
Air Medical
Moving Forward
As ThetaCore evolves, the AA-compliant design system will continue to serve as the backbone for new features, ensuring that updates such as advanced wellbeing tracking and community-driven initiatives maintain accessibility. By building on this foundation, the platform will empower all users to engage confidently, regardless of their abilities.
Reflections
Working on ThetaCore has taught me the value of designing for accessibility, collaborating across diverse sectors, and turning creative ideas into practical solutions. It's reinforced the power of human-centered design to create meaningful impact.
Closing Thoughts
ThetaCore bridges the gap between behavioral science and real-world impact, delivering an intuitive platform that empowers users and organizations alike. By focusing on community, accessibility, and trust, ThetaCore is making mental wellness tools more approachable and transformative. Contributing to a mission-driven company energizes my creativity and fuels my passion for impactful design.
