Case Study· 2021

AstroCompass

MICA Master's Capstone exploring astrology as a wellness platform through research, AstroCaching, and gamified learning.

Client: MICA Master's Capstone — published on UX Collective
Category: Product Concept · UX Research · Design System
Year: 2021

Read on UX Collective

AstroCompass mobile app screens arrayed against a starry night backdrop — showing daily horoscope, AstroCache map, MentorMatch, zodiac signs, and learning modules.

The problem

Astrology is often reduced to a sun sign and used for marketing rather than wellness and self-awareness. Meanwhile, young adults navigating life transitions need reliable tools to build clarity and decision-making skills. The opportunity was to create a product concept that treats astrology as a credible wellness and learning platform, not entertainment.

My role

Product Designer & Researcher

Led product concept, competitive research, and usability study design for an eight-week Master's capstone.
Audited 200+ astrology apps to identify saturated patterns and white space.
Designed AstroCaching — a gamified geolocation feature that turns learning into discovery across time, place, and sky.
Built a visual identity and design system anchored by a compass metaphor and a warm celestial palette.
Conducted usability tests with five participants across three sessions to refine onboarding, subscription, and AstroCache flows.

Process

Step 01
Research & White Space
Audited 200+ astrology apps and surveyed enthusiasts to identify a gap between entertainment-oriented products and credible wellness tools.
Step 02
Concept & Differentiation
Created AstroCaching — a gamified geolocation feature that turns celestial learning into physical discovery — as the core differentiator.
Step 03
Prototyping & Testing
Built mid- and high-fidelity flows in Figma and tested onboarding, subscription models, and AstroCache interactions with target users.

Brand palette

Deep Navy
#1A2A4A
Primary — celestial backgrounds, depth
Teal
#2A9D8F
Primary — navigation, trust signals
Melon Orange
#FF8C69
Accent — adventure, action
Soft Purple
#9B8FBF
Secondary — celestial highlights
Cream
#F5F1E8
Secondary — supporting surfaces

In the wild

Market opportunity chart showing U.S. astrology app revenue growing 64.7% to nearly $40 million in 2019. — Market sizing — U.S. astrology app revenue grew 64.7% to ~$40M in 2019, validating category demand.

Competitive analysis matrix comparing 12+ astrology and wellness apps across platform, category, pricing, strengths, and reviews. — Competitive analysis — audited direct and indirect competitors across platform, pricing, and positioning.

Eight-week project plan Gantt chart covering discovery, research, design, prototyping, testing, and presentation phases. — Eight-week capstone project plan — from discovery through final prototype and playbook.

Measurable results

8 weeks

Master's capstone thesis completed

5 participants

Usability tests across three sessions

200+

Competitive apps analyzed

AstroCompass taught me that the strongest product concepts emerge from personal expertise combined with rigorous research. The biggest lesson was the value of testing earlier and more frequently.

Capstone thesis

From MICA thesis to UX Collective

AstroCompass was originally developed as my MICA Master's Capstone thesis project in 2021. The case study was later published on UX Collective Bootcamp via Medium as "Virtual time travel at your fingertips."

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