Mindfulness Apps - Bhuddify, AEON and Mental Workout

Part 2 of posts reviewing mindfulness meditation apps for smartphone & tablet.

Bhuddify BY 21awake

Described as "mindfulness for the digital generation", Bhuddify was created by Rohan Guintillake and his team as a response to people who told him that they "were interested in mindfulness and meditation but didn't do anything about it because they thought it took too much time and was too hippy."  Thus it is an excellent example of an app I should be looking at!  The app's site says that Bhuddify is an "award-winning mindfulness (app)" with over "80 guided meditations custom made for wherever you are and whatever you're doing - traveling (sic), at work, at home, going to sleep, and much more. "  See a video here for a walkthrough of the app.

The newest version of the app offers a mix of guided and unguided meditations, in four kinds (clarity, connection, stability and embodiment) and four "situations" (commuting, walking home, at home, at the gym).

What is so different about Bhuddify compared to other apps is the approach taken to the design and the way the information is presented.  The colour wheel gives a visual hint at the idea of living more fully with the circle motif as a colour wheel, as well as neatly sectioning each topic according to a colour that could be associated with it.  The design reminds me of data design, so I was not surprised to learn that it was indeed created by an information designer who specialised in data representations.
The little houses in the background are charming and give the screen more depth - to me they are purely decorative but I think here it works as they add that little personable touch.

Interestingly, Bhuddify also gives users the opportunity to rate their own experience such as how well they concentrated and how balanced they felt. 

AEON by 

AEON bases itself around the observance of negative thoughts, and the idea that they can be "observed" and accepted rather than going to the core of a person's feelings.   This is a key element of mindfulness so while I don't find the interface hugely exciting I really like this idea.  

 "The AEON app helps users in practising a mindfulness technique that requires individuals not to react in response to their thoughts, but to be away of them and observe them while they are going away (distancing from thoughts)." (2014)

What is effective is the image on the right, where the user's thought is displayed after being typed in on the left.  The font gives it a personal element to it, and the italics somehow make it look like it is being said quietly or silently.  Over the course of a few minutes, the text fades into the paper, reflecting the idea of thoughts passing through someone's mind.  In contrast to this, the first stage of the app seen on the left feels smartphone friendly and looks a bit like the "Tasks" section most phones come with.  

Mental Workout by Stephen Boding

Like the name suggests, Mental Workout evokes a kind of gym mentality in its look, which now I think about it is very fitting for mindfulness.  Phrases like "freedom from stress" and "Live like never before" are written in a no-frills sans serif type, which to me gives the app a feeling of being very suited to a  focused and goal-orientated user.  The icon images follow this idea as they are simplistic and remind me of icons often seen on fitness equipment.  Overall the look of the app feels very focused and simple, so the user feels like Mental Workout is very goal-orientated.  In comparison to other apps I have looked at it is designed in a way that makes the user want to take their practice a lot more seriously, as it is likened to working out at the gym which is associated with hard work to achieve results. 

The mix of blue, green and grey means that the app has relaxing colours but also has a focus to it's theme.  Using the picture of Stephen Bodian (as seen above) gives the app credibility, as Bodian is a leading figure in contemporary meditation and mindfulness.   I like that the app asks the user questions at the beginning to gauge their starting level - I wonder if this could eventually feature in my own prototype.  Overall I feel that while MentalWorkout is less personable and friendly-looking than other apps I have written about, there are elements that would work effectively and encourage a different kind of customer to try meditation.  As I said previously, the mix of image and type suggests a gym goer kind of personality, which is often far removed from those who are into the new-age practices.   Here the most important elements of mindfulness are kept and communicated successfully to the audience, without any of the traditional associated visuals.  Judging by the success of the app, and Bhuddify too, I can put to rest any worries about moving away from the pre-conceived, spiritual/nature images typically used in mindfulness materials. 

References

Martin, Alex. 2011. Bhuddify website. "bhuddify is go!" [online] Available at: http://buddhify.com/buddhify-is-go/
[Accessed 19 Jan 2015]

Unknown, 2014. 7 Days of Goodness website. "Leer mediteren met =Bhuddify 2 (iOS app)" [online] http://www.7daysofgoodness.com/leer-mediteren-met-buddhify-2-ios-app/
 [Accessed 19 Jan 2015]

Unknown, 2012.  Know Your Apps website. "Bhuddify: East meets west in the most unlikely of ways."  [online] Available at: http://www.knowyourapps.com/reviews/buddhify/
 [Accessed 19 Jan 2015]

Unknown, 2014.  iTunes website. "AEON Mindfulness App." [online] Available at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aeon-mindfulness-app/id834258846?
 [Accessed 19 Jan 2015]