Camino

The idea came from a personal conversation. Before going anywhere near a screen, I mapped the existing landscape — local providers and international apps — to understand how the space was being served, and where the real gaps were.

I conducted four interviews, divided between users and subject-matter experts, to gain multiple perspectives. Users highlighted how difficult and time-consuming it is to find a therapist, while experts were enthusiastic about the idea, sharing their professional views on the process.

Below is a summary of the key needs, frustrations, and motivations.

Needs

• Recommendations are a key factor for all participants when choosing a therapist.
• All participants prefer in-person therapy.
• 3 out of 4 participants would consider using chat, email, or phone for communication between sessions.
• A strong filtering system is crucial to quickly and reliably find a suitable therapist.
• All participants prioritize therapists covered by insurance.
• Some participants see personal background stories as relevant (e.g., a therapist familiar with expat experiences).

Frustrations

• All participants find the current process of finding a therapist tedious.
• Therapists desire more control over their schedules.
• The existing resources, especially in Germany, feel outdated to participants.

Motivations

• 2 out of 4 participants believe online sessions are a good complement to in-person therapy.
• Therapists are eager to be listed on an app/website to reach more clients.
• All participants want a more modern and structured system for finding a therapist, allowing for better pre-selection.

I synthesized the user interview findings into the Persona of Giulia Moretti, an expat living in Berlin. Over time, she realized she needed external professional help to navigate her thoughts and emotions, but the process of finding a therapist was overwhelming.

The Sitemap outlines the key screens and features for the MVP. The app includes three main screens: Get Matched, Therapist List, and Dashboard. Both the Get Matched and Therapist List pages lead to the Therapist Profile, where users can book appointments or send messages.

These wireframes highlight the key features of the app, including Get Matched and Therapist List. After iterating on these screens, I also included a Dashboard where users can view their next appointment and recent messages after matching with a therapist.

I chose the name Camino for the app, which means "way" in Spanish.

Inspired by the name, I developed a logo symbolizing a path within a growing seed—representing personal growth. The handwritten typography reflects the idea that we write (and rewrite) our own stories.

After finalizing the logo, I compiled a style tile that sets the visual direction for the app, including font choices, color palettes, and UI components.

The final screens prioritize clarity and calm. The subject matter required a design that felt safe to use — not clinical, not transactional.

A total of 16 participants took part in the Maze User Tests, with overwhelmingly positive responses.

• Participants quickly grasped the app's concept ("Camino. It symbolizes the path of self-discovery or overcoming challenges.").
• Overall, the success rate of the test was high.
• The design was well received ("Simple, elegant, and user-friendly. Makes a difficult process more approachable.").

A few minor adjustments were needed, such as increasing font sizes in some areas and refining certain phrases (e.g., "Your way to a better self" was perceived as slightly judgmental).