"Even your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts"
-Buddha
Knower
Senior Project
Knower is a self-programming platform that turns identity-level change into a structured, designable process. Built at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and UX, the app gives users a way to generate their own subliminal inputs, surface implicit beliefs, and reinforce new internal patterns over time.
I led the full design process — from expert interviews and research synthesis to system architecture, prototyping, and interaction design — shaping Knower as a tool for long-term personal transformation grounded in state, not willpower.
Role
Role
Service Designer
UX Researcher
UI Designer
Service Designer
UX Researcher
UI Designer
Timeline
Timeline
10 Week
10 Week
Discipline
Discipline
User Research
Journey Mapping
Blueprinting
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Prototyping
Figma
User Research
Journey Mapping
Blueprinting
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Prototyping
Figma
User Research
UX Writing
Information Architecture
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Prototyping
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figjam
Miro
Sora
Figma
Figjam
Miro
Sora
More in the Desktop
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Problem Space
Research
The Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) is global measure of mental wellbeing.
The Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) is global measure of mental wellbeing.
The Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) is global measure of mental wellbeing.
Scoring individuals from –100 to +200
mood, self-image, and social connectedness
Scoring individuals from –100 to +200
mood, self-image, and social connectedness
Scoring individuals from –100 to +200
mood, self-image, and social connectedness
Over 31% more youth today are classified as Distressed or Struggling compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Over 31% more youth today are classified as Distressed or Struggling compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Over 31% more youth today are classified as Distressed or Struggling compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Scoring individuals from –100 to +200
mood, self-image, and social connectedness
Scoring individuals from –100 to +200
mood, self-image, and social connectedness
Scoring individuals from –100 to +200
mood, self-image, and social connectedness
Survey
Research
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Hover the Numbahh...
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What’s really driving behavior?
Understanding how people experience and respond to stress and mindset
report that anxiety or stress often interferes with their daily life.
believe that lifestyle and mindset changes can improve mental health.
express curiosity to understand and manage their subconscious patterns.
consistently practice reflection or self-regulation habits.
A behavioral gap between awareness, curiosity, and consistent practice.
Expert Interviews
Research
After identifying key pain points through early surveys, I conducted in-depth interviews with psychologists, neuroscientists, psychotherapist, ranging experts from students to teachers and professionals to understand how affirmation, subliminal influence, and human behavior interact. These conversations revealed how belief systems and emotional states shape perception and motivation — insights that became the foundation for Knower’s design strategy and its focus on identity-level change.
Emerging Discoveries
Define
Emotional fatigue is real
participants report high introspective awareness but struggle with consistent energy and motivation
Repetition is not surface-level
“It’s biological reinforcement, carving new pathways that feel more “natural” over time” - (Anubhuti, Huma).
Subliminal input works when intention + timing align
The brain absorbs subtle cues during low-focus or emotional states, but it needs emotional safety and consistency.
Subconscious is programmable
Experts affirm that beliefs, behaviors, and emotions are shaped below awareness—through repetition, environment, and emotionally charged inputs. or in another words you become what you consume.
Creative expression and connection are key regulators
These came up repeatedly in the survey as go-to methods for coping and recovery.
Belief can override biology
Placebo isn’t “fake”—it triggers real biochemical changes and reconditions the brain toward healing/harm - (Anubhuti, Nikita).
Emotional fatigue is real
participants report high introspective awareness but struggle with consistent energy and motivation
Repetition is not surface-level
“It’s biological reinforcement, carving new pathways that feel more “natural” over time” - (Anubhuti, Huma).
Subliminal input works when intention + timing align
The brain absorbs subtle cues during low-focus or emotional states, but it needs emotional safety and consistency.
Subconscious is programmable
Experts affirm that beliefs, behaviors, and emotions are shaped below awareness—through repetition, environment, and emotionally charged inputs. or in another words you become what you consume.
Creative expression and connection are key regulators
These came up repeatedly in the survey as go-to methods for coping and recovery.
Belief can override biology
Placebo isn’t “fake”—it triggers real biochemical changes and reconditions the brain toward healing/harm - (Anubhuti, Nikita).
Emotional fatigue is real
participants report high introspective awareness but struggle with consistent energy and motivation
Repetition is not surface-level
“It’s biological reinforcement, carving new pathways that feel more “natural” over time” - (Anubhuti, Huma).
Subliminal input works when intention + timing align
The brain absorbs subtle cues during low-focus or emotional states, but it needs emotional safety and consistency.
Subconscious is programmable
Experts affirm that beliefs, behaviors, and emotions are shaped below awareness—through repetition, environment, and emotionally charged inputs. or in another words you become what you consume.
Creative expression and connection are key regulators
These came up repeatedly in the survey as go-to methods for coping and recovery.
Belief can override biology
Placebo isn’t “fake”—it triggers real biochemical changes and reconditions the brain toward healing/harm - (Anubhuti, Nikita).
Synthesization
Research
Over 400 Data Points
Over 400 Data Points
Over 400 Data Points
Three Key Insights
Define
A defining tension exists between the deep desire for connection and the frequent self-isolation caused by anxiety. Many individuals who appear withdrawn are actually craving inclusion.
They are deeply self-aware yet remain stuck in inaction.
Opportunity:
New systems and environments that help emotionally fatigued people access belonging without pressure or overwhelm.
The Social Energy Crisis
A defining tension exists between the deep desire for connection and the frequent self-isolation caused by anxiety. Many individuals who appear withdrawn are actually craving inclusion.
They are deeply self-aware yet remain stuck in inaction.
Opportunity:
New systems and environments that help emotionally fatigued people access belonging without pressure or overwhelm.
The Social Energy Crisis
A defining tension exists between the deep desire for connection and the frequent self-isolation caused by anxiety. Many individuals who appear withdrawn are actually craving inclusion.
They are deeply self-aware yet remain stuck in inaction.
Opportunity:
New systems and environments that help emotionally fatigued people access belonging without pressure or overwhelm.
The Social Energy Crisis
Consistent exposure to emotionally charged inputs—whether affirmations, subliminals, or visualizations
Opportunity:
mental health tools must be emotionally attuned, repetition-guided, and neuroscience-informed—less like static content and more like adaptive mirrors that meet people where their subconscious lives.
Emotion + Repetition = Plasticity
Consistent exposure to emotionally charged inputs—whether affirmations, subliminals, or visualizations
Opportunity:
mental health tools must be emotionally attuned, repetition-guided, and neuroscience-informed—less like static content and more like adaptive mirrors that meet people where their subconscious lives.
Emotion + Repetition = Plasticity
Consistent exposure to emotionally charged inputs—whether affirmations, subliminals, or visualizations
Opportunity:
mental health tools must be emotionally attuned, repetition-guided, and neuroscience-informed—less like static content and more like adaptive mirrors that meet people where their subconscious lives.
Emotion + Repetition = Plasticity
Background cues (media, environments, internal self-talk) are constantly shaping perception and behavior beneath conscious awareness.
Opportunity:
Crafting emotional narratives that resonate more deeply than rational advice ever could.
Passive Influence Is Not Passive
Background cues (media, environments, internal self-talk) are constantly shaping perception and behavior beneath conscious awareness.
Opportunity:
Crafting emotional narratives that resonate more deeply than rational advice ever could.
Passive Influence Is Not Passive
Background cues (media, environments, internal self-talk) are constantly shaping perception and behavior beneath conscious awareness.
Opportunity:
Crafting emotional narratives that resonate more deeply than rational advice ever could.
Passive Influence Is Not Passive
Competitor Analysis
Define
To position Knower within the crowded self-help and wellness market, I analyzed five major competitors — BrainTap, I Am, Calm, Sol, and Headspace — using the Blue Ocean Strategy’s Eliminate–Reduce–Raise–Create (ERRC) framework.
Blue Ocean Strategy
To position Knower within the crowded self-help and wellness market, I analyzed five major competitors — BrainTap, I Am, Calm, Sol, and Headspace — using the Blue Ocean Strategy’s Eliminate–Reduce–Raise–Create (ERRC) framework.
Blue Ocean Strategy
To position Knower within the crowded self-help and wellness market, I analyzed five major competitors — BrainTap, I Am, Calm, Sol, and Headspace — using the Blue Ocean Strategy’s Eliminate–Reduce–Raise–Create (ERRC) framework.
Blue Ocean Strategy
Furthermore, I ran a SWOT analysis to identify Knower’s strengths and weaknesses across its user experience touchpoints and system-level operations.
S.W.O.T
Furthermore, I ran a SWOT analysis to identify Knower’s strengths and weaknesses across its user experience touchpoints and system-level operations.
S.W.O.T
Furthermore, I ran a SWOT analysis to identify Knower’s strengths and weaknesses across its user experience touchpoints and system-level operations.
S.W.O.T
How might we design a personalized, simplified, and interactive platform that provides tailored, science-backed stress management tools while fostering a supportive community for long-term habit formation?
How Might We?
How might we design a personalized, simplified, and interactive platform that provides tailored, science-backed stress management tools while fostering a supportive community for long-term habit formation?
How Might We?
How might we design a personalized, simplified, and interactive platform that provides tailored, science-backed stress management tools while fostering a supportive community for long-term habit formation?
How Might We?
Concept Iteration
Ideation
📱 KNWR App (Pocket Portal)
Offering: 🎧 Subliminal Audio Composer 🎥 Guided Visualizations (Meditation) ✍️ Micro-Journaling Moments 🌱 Growth Tracker Combines accessibility, personalization, and neuroscience-backed tools.
🪞 Smart Mirror
Offering: 🧠 AI Companion for Goal-Tracking & Awareness 🖼️ Vision Board Integration 🧘 Guided Emotional Meditation Prompts 🤝 “Iron Sharpens Iron” Daily Check-ins Empowers users to visualize their future, stay aligned with purpose, and process emotions through reflective interaction.
💤 Re-imagining Bed Experience.
Offering: 🔈 Built-in Subliminal Speaker System 🌙 Ambient Lighting for Circadian Sync 🎞️ Projector for Pre-Sleep Visualization Flow 🗓️ Next-Day Planning Ritual Transforms bedtime into a subconscious programming sanctuary — blending comfort, intention, and neuroscience-backed preparation.
📱 KNWR App (Pocket Portal)
Offering: 🎧 Subliminal Audio Composer 🎥 Guided Visualizations (Meditation) ✍️ Micro-Journaling Moments 🌱 Growth Tracker Combines accessibility, personalization, and neuroscience-backed tools.
🪞 Smart Mirror
Offering: 🧠 AI Companion for Goal-Tracking & Awareness 🖼️ Vision Board Integration 🧘 Guided Emotional Meditation Prompts 🤝 “Iron Sharpens Iron” Daily Check-ins Empowers users to visualize their future, stay aligned with purpose, and process emotions through reflective interaction.
💤 Re-imagining Bed Experience.
Offering: 🔈 Built-in Subliminal Speaker System 🌙 Ambient Lighting for Circadian Sync 🎞️ Projector for Pre-Sleep Visualization Flow 🗓️ Next-Day Planning Ritual Transforms bedtime into a subconscious programming sanctuary — blending comfort, intention, and neuroscience-backed preparation.
📱 KNWR App (Pocket Portal)
Offering: 🎧 Subliminal Audio Composer 🎥 Guided Visualizations (Meditation) ✍️ Micro-Journaling Moments 🌱 Growth Tracker Combines accessibility, personalization, and neuroscience-backed tools.
🪞 Smart Mirror
Offering: 🧠 AI Companion for Goal-Tracking & Awareness 🖼️ Vision Board Integration 🧘 Guided Emotional Meditation Prompts 🤝 “Iron Sharpens Iron” Daily Check-ins Empowers users to visualize their future, stay aligned with purpose, and process emotions through reflective interaction.
💤 Re-imagining Bed Experience.
Offering: 🔈 Built-in Subliminal Speaker System 🌙 Ambient Lighting for Circadian Sync 🎞️ Projector for Pre-Sleep Visualization Flow 🗓️ Next-Day Planning Ritual Transforms bedtime into a subconscious programming sanctuary — blending comfort, intention, and neuroscience-backed preparation.
Sitemap & User Flow
Ideation
User Flow
User Flow
User Flow
Improved User Flow
Improved User Flow
Improved User Flow
User Journey
Ideation
User Journey Map
The KNWR user journey captures the emotional shift from mental fatigue to clarity and self-alignment. Each stage reflects common behaviors among users managing anxiety, overthinking, and indecision. The map highlights key moments where users need reassurance and structure—revealing opportunities to use gentle guidance, emotional safety, and reflective micro-interactions to support lasting engagement and self-awareness.
User Journey Map
The KNWR user journey captures the emotional shift from mental fatigue to clarity and self-alignment. Each stage reflects common behaviors among users managing anxiety, overthinking, and indecision. The map highlights key moments where users need reassurance and structure—revealing opportunities to use gentle guidance, emotional safety, and reflective micro-interactions to support lasting engagement and self-awareness.
User Journey Map
The KNWR user journey captures the emotional shift from mental fatigue to clarity and self-alignment. Each stage reflects common behaviors among users managing anxiety, overthinking, and indecision. The map highlights key moments where users need reassurance and structure—revealing opportunities to use gentle guidance, emotional safety, and reflective micro-interactions to support lasting engagement and self-awareness.
Mental Model + WIP
Ideation
Low Fidelity
Prototyping
User Testing
Ideation
The tasks ranged from creating subliminal audio to interacting with community features. While most users were able to complete simpler tasks like starting a meditation or checking the home calendar, we observed confusion and drop-off in more complex, multi-step flows, particularly around community interaction and affirmation posting.
Numerical Analysis
Common friction points included unclear navigation paths, lack of immediate feedback, and unfamiliar terminology. Tasks 1, 3, and 6 had the highest confusion or failure rates, highlighting areas where onboarding, labeling, or layout improvements are needed.
Numerical Analysis
Common friction points included unclear navigation paths, lack of immediate feedback, and unfamiliar terminology. Tasks 1, 3, and 6 had the highest confusion or failure rates, highlighting areas where onboarding, labeling, or layout improvements are needed.
Numerical Analysis
Common friction points included unclear navigation paths, lack of immediate feedback, and unfamiliar terminology. Tasks 1, 3, and 6 had the highest confusion or failure rates, highlighting areas where onboarding, labeling, or layout improvements are needed.
Mood Board
The visual direction explores themes of consciousness, cosmic order, and duality—merging science and introspection. Elements like planetary motion, geometry, and surreal imagery express Knower’s core idea: bridging the rational and the subconscious, turning self-reflection into a cosmic, inward journey.
Mood Board
The visual direction explores themes of consciousness, cosmic order, and duality—merging science and introspection. Elements like planetary motion, geometry, and surreal imagery express Knower’s core idea: bridging the rational and the subconscious, turning self-reflection into a cosmic, inward journey.
Mood Board
The visual direction explores themes of consciousness, cosmic order, and duality—merging science and introspection. Elements like planetary motion, geometry, and surreal imagery express Knower’s core idea: bridging the rational and the subconscious, turning self-reflection into a cosmic, inward journey.
Mid Fidelity
Prototyping
V.2 User Testing
Users completed tasks more smoothly than in the first round. Most navigated habit tracking, journaling, and community posting with little confusion. Previously difficult flows—like creating subliminal messages and using the SoundLab—showed major improvement. Some uncertainty remained in multi-step journaling and achievement viewing, but overall, the redesign proved more intuitive and structured.
V.2 User Testing
Users completed tasks more smoothly than in the first round. Most navigated habit tracking, journaling, and community posting with little confusion. Previously difficult flows—like creating subliminal messages and using the SoundLab—showed major improvement. Some uncertainty remained in multi-step journaling and achievement viewing, but overall, the redesign proved more intuitive and structured.
V.2 User Testing
Users completed tasks more smoothly than in the first round. Most navigated habit tracking, journaling, and community posting with little confusion. Previously difficult flows—like creating subliminal messages and using the SoundLab—showed major improvement. Some uncertainty remained in multi-step journaling and achievement viewing, but overall, the redesign proved more intuitive and structured.
Design Concepts
Prototyping
Introducing
Knower is a digital subliminal self-programming application designed to help users master their subconscious mind through a combination of visualization, affirmations, journaling, and subliminal audio.
By incorporating scientifically validated techniques, it helps users break free from subconscious loops of anxiety, self-doubt, and mental stagnation. The goal is to empower individuals to master their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, unlocking their potential for positive change.
🧠 Daily Ritual Protocol
Designed to build mental fortitude through consistent rituals like that strengthen neural pathways. Each day is an opportunity to reshape your subconscious and step into a more powerful version of yourself.
🎧 Subliminal Audio Composer
Craft your own subliminal audio experiences, infused with personalized affirmations that is designed to bypass conscious resistance. Achieve deeper transformation by speaking directly to the mind’s core operating system.
🌱 Journaling + Growth Tracker
Track your progress, form your habit, and witness the growth of your subconscious mastery. Reflect on insights, discover patterns, and fuel your momentum with data-driven feedback.
🧠 Daily Ritual Protocol
Designed to build mental fortitude through consistent rituals like that strengthen neural pathways. Each day is an opportunity to reshape your subconscious and step into a more powerful version of yourself.
🎧 Subliminal Audio Composer
Craft your own subliminal audio experiences, infused with personalized affirmations that is designed to bypass conscious resistance. Achieve deeper transformation by speaking directly to the mind’s core operating system.
🌱 Journaling + Growth Tracker
Track your progress, form your habit, and witness the growth of your subconscious mastery. Reflect on insights, discover patterns, and fuel your momentum with data-driven feedback.
🧠 Daily Ritual Protocol
Designed to build mental fortitude through consistent rituals like that strengthen neural pathways. Each day is an opportunity to reshape your subconscious and step into a more powerful version of yourself.
🎧 Subliminal Audio Composer
Craft your own subliminal audio experiences, infused with personalized affirmations that is designed to bypass conscious resistance. Achieve deeper transformation by speaking directly to the mind’s core operating system.
🌱 Journaling + Growth Tracker
Track your progress, form your habit, and witness the growth of your subconscious mastery. Reflect on insights, discover patterns, and fuel your momentum with data-driven feedback.
Reflection and Key Takeaways
Ideation
You become what you consume.
This project made me realize how deeply our environment shapes us. What we read, watch, listen to, and surround ourselves with slowly builds who we are. Every input matters — so design, just like life, starts with choosing the right environment.
You have to experience it to understand it.
I underestimated how hard it is to connect with people and gather real insights. Data doesn’t come from screens — it comes from conversations, emotions, and shared moments. You can’t design for people without experiencing their reality firsthand.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Mental health isn’t something you fix with one app or framework. It’s local, personal, and layered. Real change starts small — with something that actually works for someone, somewhere, and grows from there.
You become what you consume.
This project made me realize how deeply our environment shapes us. What we read, watch, listen to, and surround ourselves with slowly builds who we are. Every input matters — so design, just like life, starts with choosing the right environment.
You have to experience it to understand it.
I underestimated how hard it is to connect with people and gather real insights. Data doesn’t come from screens — it comes from conversations, emotions, and shared moments. You can’t design for people without experiencing their reality firsthand.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Mental health isn’t something you fix with one app or framework. It’s local, personal, and layered. Real change starts small — with something that actually works for someone, somewhere, and grows from there.
You become what you consume.
This project made me realize how deeply our environment shapes us. What we read, watch, listen to, and surround ourselves with slowly builds who we are. Every input matters — so design, just like life, starts with choosing the right environment.
You have to experience it to understand it.
I underestimated how hard it is to connect with people and gather real insights. Data doesn’t come from screens — it comes from conversations, emotions, and shared moments. You can’t design for people without experiencing their reality firsthand.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Mental health isn’t something you fix with one app or framework. It’s local, personal, and layered. Real change starts small — with something that actually works for someone, somewhere, and grows from there.