Zensei is a respiratory health app that allows users to keep a diary. Each entry allows you to choose from different symptoms, activities, moods and medications. This inputs, when related to real-time data about current weather and air conditions, results in recommendations and information to keep your lungs healthy.

My mission was to create a set of icons to facilitate the moment were users do a journal entry and choose between symptoms and other elements. It was quite a challenge to turn some concepts into a simple iconographic form that is well understood by several types of users.

Early in the project, we had the feeling that a mascot or character would work better. It should be gender-neutral and would try to add some little humor into a health app. We liked the result, but we were still not confident. We decided to show both options to a pool of active users. They enjoyed the character, but definitely felt that the other option was clearer and more stylish, instead of childish.

We flirted with several different finishes, trying to figure out a new style that could trigger a new look&feel for the brand. We explored textures, abstractions, and other approaches. 

Long story short, we explored several styles, and users helped us choose the best one for the app's needs. Thick strokes in a warm, colourful palette that could bring a new feel to the experience, without making it neither childish nor serious.

We're very happy with the result.