About Me
Golden Mind
Unlock Your Cognitive Potential: A Brain Training App for Seniors
UX/UI Desgin
Project Overview
Golden Mind is a brain training app created for seniors aged 51 and above. This project focuses on making brain health more accessible through thoughtful, age-friendly design.
Research shows that cognitive training can help lower the risk of dementia, Alzheimer's, and memory loss.
Project Details
Role:
  • Researcher
  • UX/UI Designer
  • Visual Designer
  • Prototyper
Duration:
  • 4 weeks
Tools:
  • Figma
  • Figjam
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
Problems Statement
As people age, cognitive decline becomes a growing concern, with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's affecting millions of seniors worldwide. While brain training has been shown to support memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility, most existing brain training apps are not designed with older adults in mind.
Common issues include small fonts, cluttered interfaces, fast-paced gameplay, and a lack of emotional connection or relevance. These barriers can discourage seniors from engaging in activities that would otherwise support their mental health and independence.​
Competitive Analysis
I downloaded and researched these three mainstream brain training apps to understand their strengths and weaknesses, especially regarding their suitability for older adults.
Lumosity
Pros:
  • Wide variety of engaging games
  • Personalized training programs
  • Well-established with a large user base
Cons:
  • Subscription required for full features
  • Some games might be too fast-paced for older adults
  • Not specifically optimized for senior accessibility (e.g., font size)
Elevate
Pros:
  • Focus on practical cognitive skills (reading, writing, math)
  • Detailed performance tracking and insights
  • Clean and intuitive user interface
Cons:
  • Primarily subscription-based
  • Games can be challenging and require quick reactions
  • Content might feel less "game-like" for some users
CogniFit
Pros:
  • Comprehensive cognitive assessment and personalized programs
  • Research-backed exercises targeting specific cognitive areas
  • Available for a wide range of age groups and conditions
Cons:
  • Interface can be complex for new or older users
  • Free version is limited, full access requires subscription
  • Less emphasis on gamification compared to competitors
Key Findings:
  • High demand & market growth: The brain training app market is expanding rapidly, driven by awareness of cognitive health among seniors and general population alike.
  • Memory & attention are the most commonly addressed functions in existing apps. Less frequent are games focused on visuospatial skills or executive function.
  • Engagement & usability for older users remain weak spots in many apps. Seniors tend to be discouraged by small text, fast-paced games, or interfaces that aren't clear.
Solution
A more user friendly brain training app was needed for seniors who often feel excluded by fast paced and complex digital tools. Here are the things that I focused on.
Accessible for Seniors
Golden Mind removes common digital barriers by offering a clear, calming, and intuitive design. Large visuals, simple navigation, and guided feedback ensure that seniors can confidently use the app without confusion or frustration.
Cognitive Health Through Play
Each of the four games is designed to strengthen essential mental functions, memory, focus, observation, and flexibility. These activities help users stay mentally active while reducing the risk of cognitive decline in a fun and low pressure environment.
Promote Confidence
By showing visible progress and celebrating small achievements, the app builds motivation and encourages consistency. Seniors feel a sense of accomplishment and are empowered to take control of their brain health with confidence.
Research Takeaways
Cognitive Training Delays Decline
Consistent mental exercises, as shown by studies like ACTIVE and FINGER, can effectively slow memory decline and preserve daily functioning in older adults.
Support Key Cognitive Areas
Memory, attention, and processing speed are the cognitive functions most susceptible to age-related decline, so they should be prioritized when designing brain training programs.
Low-Pressure Activities Benefit Seniors
Programs that are easy to follow and gently challenging (not stressful) are more effective for long-term engagement and cognitive health in older adults.
Multidomain Approaches are Most Effective
Cognitive training works best when combined with daily routine support, social connection, and physical activity, proving that design must support both function and feeling.
Apps Lack Senior Accessibility
Despite evidence of brain training benefits, many current platforms fail to provide large fonts, simple navigation, readable design, or emotional engagement suited for older users.
Work Cited
Prototpye Showcase
The Home page is simple and clean, allowing users to navigate the app easily. It includes the user icon, a progress bar, and four accessible mini games.
This example page showcases one of the mini games, “Mindful Colours.”
This page highlights the customization features for the Wisdom Statue, a gamified element designed to motivate users to continue engaging with the app.
The Mission page presents optional daily tasks that users can complete to earn points and track their progress.
Try the prototype!
Reflection
Designing Golden Mind has been a deeply meaningful experience. As I created this brain training app for seniors, I came to understand that making something truly simple takes great care. Every decision, from the size of a button to the color of an icon, had to prioritize clarity and accessibility for older users. My goal was not only to build a fun and functional tool but also to empower seniors to feel confident and stay mentally sharp in their daily lives.
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Through this project and the research behind it, I not only created something purposeful but also learned so much about how our brains age, and how cognitive health impacts quality of life for older adults. I gained new insights into the importance of memory, focus, and executive function in healthy aging, and how regular brain training can help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. It was eye-opening to see how underserved older users are in today’s digital design landscape, and how much thoughtful design can help them feel included, engaged, and capable.
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One of the most rewarding parts of this project was developing the Statue of Wisdom, a feature that visually represents user progress in a personal and meaningful way. It turns abstract improvement into something users can see and take pride in. Through user research and design testing, I saw how motivational feedback and simple interaction design could foster a deeper sense of achievement and encourage long-term engagement.
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This project reminded me that good design always begins with empathy. It is not about making things flashy or trendy, but about understanding people’s real needs and designing with intention. I hope Golden Mind becomes more than just an app, it should feel like a caring and supportive companion on the journey of healthy aging.