YURI KIM

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YURI KIM

YURI KIM

KUDO

Virtual pet app promoting sustainable actions

Role

UX Design Lead

Duration

Sep–Dec 2022

Team

Yuri Kim Brenda Son Fan Fang Yixin Chen

My contribution

UX/UI Design Visual System Illustration UX Research

KUDO

Virtual pet app promoting sustainable actions

Role

UX Design Lead

Duration

Sep–Dec 2022

Team

Yuri Kim Brenda Son Fan Fang Yixin Chen

My contribution

UX/UI Design Visual System Illustration UX Research

KUDO

Virtual pet app promoting sustainable actions

Role

UX Design Lead

Duration

Sep–Dec 2022

Team

Yuri Kim Brenda Son Fan Fang Yixin Chen

My contribution

UX/UI Design Visual System Illustration UX Research

Goal

Turning a broad challenge into a tangible solution

The initial prompt was ambitious: "How can we make climate action easy for Gen Z?" Collaborating with WILDGRID, a solar energy startup, during a 15-week course at SVA, I felt the pressure and excitement of creating something meaningful. My goal was to develop a meaningful, user-centered solution that seamlessly integrates climate action into Gen Z’s daily routines.

Challenge

Transforming research insights into impactful action

I needed to turn a broad, ambitious prompt into a solution that truly engaged Gen Z. The challenge was to design an experience that not only addressed user pain points but also motivated sustainable actions in a fun, accessible way, ensuring every design decision drove measurable impact.

Outcome

An award-winning virtual pet app

My approach resulted in Kudo being recognized for its innovative way of making climate action accessible and engaging for Gen Z. The app earned three UX design awards, validating my user-centered design approach and thoughtful decision-making.

My Impact

UX/UI design

Originated the idea of the virtual pet and led the design of Kudo’s user interface, wireframes, and hig h-fidelity prototypes.

Visual system

Designed Kudo’s branding, created style guides, UI components, colors, and illustrations that aligned with the app's purpose and personality.

UX research

Conducted 10 user interviews, synthesized research, and led user testing to extract key insights that directly informed design decisions.

Communication

Communication: Managed team collaboration, leading design sprints, Crazy 8 ideation sessions, and structured brainstorming meetings to generate and refine innovative ideas.

Transforming Climate Anxiety into Action

How can we make climate action easy for Gen Z?

Transforming Climate Anxiety into Action

How can we make climate action easy for Gen Z?

Transforming Climate Anxiety into Action

How can we make climate action easy for Gen Z?

User Research

Only 13% of Gen Z take climate action

While eco-anxiety is prevalent among Gen Z, research shows that only 13% actively take steps to combat climate change.
After I having 10 user interviews and secondary research,
I uncovered three core barriers:

  • Limited time: Many users feel they don’t have the time to participate in climate actions, which often feel like an added burden to their busy lives.

  • Pessimism: A prevailing sense of hopelessness leads users to believe that their individual efforts won’t make a meaningful impact.

  • Cost: Sustainable actions, such as purchasing eco-friendly products or adopting energy-saving measures, are often perceived as expensive, creating an additional barrier.

These insights revealed the need for a solution that makes climate action feel manageable, positive, and accessible for young people.

User Research

Only 13% of Gen Z take climate action

While eco-anxiety is prevalent among Gen Z, research shows that only 13% actively take steps to combat climate change.
After I having 10 user interviews and secondary research,
I uncovered three core barriers:

  • Limited time: Many users feel they don’t have the time to participate in climate actions, which often feel like an added burden to their busy lives.

  • Pessimism: A prevailing sense of hopelessness leads users to believe that their individual efforts won’t make a meaningful impact.

  • Cost: Sustainable actions, such as purchasing eco-friendly products or adopting energy-saving measures, are often perceived as expensive, creating an additional barrier.

These insights revealed the need for a solution that makes climate action feel manageable, positive, and accessible for young people.

User Research

Only 13% of Gen Z take climate action

While eco-anxiety is prevalent among Gen Z, research shows that only 13% actively take steps to combat climate change.
After I having 10 user interviews and secondary research,
I uncovered three core barriers:

  • Limited time: Many users feel they don’t have the time to participate in climate actions, which often feel like an added burden to their busy lives.

  • Pessimism: A prevailing sense of hopelessness leads users to believe that their individual efforts won’t make a meaningful impact.

  • Cost: Sustainable actions, such as purchasing eco-friendly products or adopting energy-saving measures, are often perceived as expensive, creating an additional barrier.

These insights revealed the need for a solution that makes climate action feel manageable, positive, and accessible for young people.

Design Sprint

Choosing the most impactful solution

Based on research insights, I led a design sprint using Crazy 8, proposing a virtual pet app to empower Gen Z in climate action. It received the highest evaluation and was selected as the most impactful solution among four concepts.:

  • Energy-saving app: Encouraged energy reduction but lacked viability due to complex implementation and required constant user tracking.

  • Hands-on DIY kit: Promoted sustainable projects but demanded significant time and effort, misaligned with our “bite-sized” goal.

  • Positive climate news app: Motivated users with climate news but lacked interactivity and engagement.

  • Virtual pet app: Stood out for engagement, motivation, and affordability, letting users care for a pet through daily climate-friendly tasks.

Design Sprint

Choosing the most impactful solution

Based on research insights, I led a design sprint using Crazy 8, proposing a virtual pet app to empower Gen Z in climate action. It received the highest evaluation and was selected as the most impactful solution among four concepts.:

  • Energy-saving app: Encouraged energy reduction but lacked viability due to complex implementation and required constant user tracking.

  • Hands-on DIY kit: Promoted sustainable projects but demanded significant time and effort, misaligned with our “bite-sized” goal.

  • Positive climate news app: Motivated users with climate news but lacked interactivity and engagement.

  • Virtual pet app: Stood out for engagement, motivation, and affordability, letting users care for a pet through daily climate-friendly tasks.

Design Sprint

Choosing the most impactful solution

Based on research insights, I led a design sprint using Crazy 8, proposing a virtual pet app to empower Gen Z in climate action. It received the highest evaluation and was selected as the most impactful solution among four concepts.:

  • Energy-saving app: Encouraged energy reduction but lacked viability due to complex implementation and required constant user tracking.

  • Hands-on DIY kit: Promoted sustainable projects but demanded significant time and effort, misaligned with our “bite-sized” goal.

  • Positive climate news app: Motivated users with climate news but lacked interactivity and engagement.

  • Virtual pet app: Stood out for engagement, motivation, and affordability, letting users care for a pet through daily climate-friendly tasks.

Design Solution

Virtual pet app for sustainable habits

We chose the Virtual Pet App as our design solution because it integrates bite-sized, positive climate actions into users’ daily lives. The virtual pet serves as a motivational companion, encouraging climate-friendly behaviors.

Why the Virtual Pet App?

  • Viability: Simple to implement and requires minimal user effort.

  • Positivity: Turns climate action into a fun, rewarding experience.

  • Motivation: Users care for their pet and are rewarded for progress.

  • Affordability: Accessible to all, with minimal time or cost required.

The app helps users form sustainable habits through gamification, linking daily actions like recycling or energy-saving to their pet’s well-being and appearance.

Design Solution

Virtual pet app for sustainable habits

We chose the Virtual Pet App as our design solution because it integrates bite-sized, positive climate actions into users’ daily lives. The virtual pet serves as a motivational companion, encouraging climate-friendly behaviors.

Why the Virtual Pet App?

  • Viability: Simple to implement and requires minimal user effort.

  • Positivity: Turns climate action into a fun, rewarding experience.

  • Motivation: Users care for their pet and are rewarded for progress.

  • Affordability: Accessible to all, with minimal time or cost required.

The app helps users form sustainable habits through gamification, linking daily actions like recycling or energy-saving to their pet’s well-being and appearance.

Design Solution

Virtual pet app for sustainable habits

We chose the Virtual Pet App as our design solution because it integrates bite-sized, positive climate actions into users’ daily lives. The virtual pet serves as a motivational companion, encouraging climate-friendly behaviors.

Why the Virtual Pet App?

  • Viability: Simple to implement and requires minimal user effort.

  • Positivity: Turns climate action into a fun, rewarding experience.

  • Motivation: Users care for their pet and are rewarded for progress.

  • Affordability: Accessible to all, with minimal time or cost required.

The app helps users form sustainable habits through gamification, linking daily actions like recycling or energy-saving to their pet’s well-being and appearance.

Keeping users engaged beyond the first click

How do we sustain user engagement without overwhelming them?

Keeping users engaged beyond the first click

How do we sustain user engagement without overwhelming them?

Keeping users engaged beyond the first click

How do we sustain user engagement without overwhelming them?

Finding the right balance between learning and fun

When designing the educational component, I initially opted for simplicity to avoid overwhelming users. However, user testing revealed that quizzes were too easy, leading to disengagement. I realized we needed to offer meaningful content while keeping it enjoyable and interactive.

Options considered:

  • Minimal content: Easy to digest but lacked depth, risking loss of engagement.

  • Rich, detailed content: In-depth learning, but could overwhelm users.

  • Personalized content: Tailoring content based on user knowledge and interests gathered during onboarding.

  • Gradual difficulty: Start with simple tasks and gradually introduce more challenging content to maintain engagement and learning.

Finding the right balance between learning and fun

When designing the educational component, I initially opted for simplicity to avoid overwhelming users. However, user testing revealed that quizzes were too easy, leading to disengagement. I realized we needed to offer meaningful content while keeping it enjoyable and interactive.

Options considered:

  • Minimal content: Easy to digest but lacked depth, risking loss of engagement.

  • Rich, detailed content: In-depth learning, but could overwhelm users.

  • Personalized content: Tailoring content based on user knowledge and interests gathered during onboarding.

  • Gradual difficulty: Start with simple tasks and gradually introduce more challenging content to maintain engagement and learning.

Finding the right balance between learning and fun

When designing the educational component, I initially opted for simplicity to avoid overwhelming users. However, user testing revealed that quizzes were too easy, leading to disengagement. I realized we needed to offer meaningful content while keeping it enjoyable and interactive.

Options considered:

  • Minimal content: Easy to digest but lacked depth, risking loss of engagement.

  • Rich, detailed content: In-depth learning, but could overwhelm users.

  • Personalized content: Tailoring content based on user knowledge and interests gathered during onboarding.

  • Gradual difficulty: Start with simple tasks and gradually introduce more challenging content to maintain engagement and learning.

Why we combined personalized content and gradual difficulty

Initially, we used minimal content to reduce cognitive load, but feedback showed users wanted more substance. To balance this, I implemented a personalized, progressive difficulty system—collecting user knowledge during onboarding to deliver tailored content. We started with simple tasks and gradually introduced more complex missions, keeping users engaged and fostering a sense of achievement.

Outcome

The progressive approach allowed users to enjoy the experience while learning more. Engagement increased by 25%, and users felt a stronger sense of accomplishment and purpose in their climate actions.

Why we combined personalized content and gradual difficulty

Initially, we used minimal content to reduce cognitive load, but feedback showed users wanted more substance. To balance this, I implemented a personalized, progressive difficulty system—collecting user knowledge during onboarding to deliver tailored content. We started with simple tasks and gradually introduced more complex missions, keeping users engaged and fostering a sense of achievement.

Outcome

The progressive approach allowed users to enjoy the experience while learning more. Engagement increased by 25%, and users felt a stronger sense of accomplishment and purpose in their climate actions.

Why we combined personalized content and gradual difficulty

Initially, we used minimal content to reduce cognitive load, but feedback showed users wanted more substance. To balance this, I implemented a personalized, progressive difficulty system—collecting user knowledge during onboarding to deliver tailored content. We started with simple tasks and gradually introduced more complex missions, keeping users engaged and fostering a sense of achievement.

Outcome

The progressive approach allowed users to enjoy the experience while learning more. Engagement increased by 25%, and users felt a stronger sense of accomplishment and purpose in their climate actions.

Turning individual efforts into visible impact

How do we motivate Gen Z by making them feel their climate actions have tangible results?

Turning individual efforts into visible impact

How do we motivate Gen Z by making them feel their climate actions have tangible results?

Turning individual efforts into visible impact

How do we motivate Gen Z by making them feel their climate actions have tangible results?

Creating a sense of impact

Research showed Gen Z often feels their individual efforts won’t make a difference. This sense of futility led to disengagement. Our challenge was to visually represent the positive impact users make through small, daily actions and show how their contributions fit into a larger cause.

Options considered:

  • Pet growth as visual feedback: Users could see progress in their virtual pet’s growth, health, and appearance, reflecting their climate actions.

  • Collective community feed: Displaying community-wide progress to foster a sense of collective impact.

  • Points-based leaderboard: Ranking users based on their climate actions, encouraging friendly competition.

Creating a sense of impact

Research showed Gen Z often feels their individual efforts won’t make a difference. This sense of futility led to disengagement. Our challenge was to visually represent the positive impact users make through small, daily actions and show how their contributions fit into a larger cause.

Options considered:

  • Pet growth as visual feedback: Users could see progress in their virtual pet’s growth, health, and appearance, reflecting their climate actions.

  • Collective community feed: Displaying community-wide progress to foster a sense of collective impact.

  • Points-based leaderboard: Ranking users based on their climate actions, encouraging friendly competition.

Creating a sense of impact

Research showed Gen Z often feels their individual efforts won’t make a difference. This sense of futility led to disengagement. Our challenge was to visually represent the positive impact users make through small, daily actions and show how their contributions fit into a larger cause.

Options considered:

  • Pet growth as visual feedback: Users could see progress in their virtual pet’s growth, health, and appearance, reflecting their climate actions.

  • Collective community feed: Displaying community-wide progress to foster a sense of collective impact.

  • Points-based leaderboard: Ranking users based on their climate actions, encouraging friendly competition.

Why we chose pet growth and leaderboards

After testing, we combined pet growth and a leaderboard for both personal and social feedback.

  • Pet growth as personal motivation: Users saw the direct results of their efforts through their pet’s development—new outfits, increased happiness, and growth—offering a personal sense of accomplishment.

  • Leaderboard as social motivation: The leaderboard fostered healthy competition, allowing users to compare progress with peers, motivating them to return and improve their rank.

Why we chose pet growth and leaderboards

After testing, we combined pet growth and a leaderboard for both personal and social feedback.

  • Pet growth as personal motivation: Users saw the direct results of their efforts through their pet’s development—new outfits, increased happiness, and growth—offering a personal sense of accomplishment.

  • Leaderboard as social motivation: The leaderboard fostered healthy competition, allowing users to compare progress with peers, motivating them to return and improve their rank.

Why we chose pet growth and leaderboards

After testing, we combined pet growth and a leaderboard for both personal and social feedback.

  • Pet growth as personal motivation: Users saw the direct results of their efforts through their pet’s development—new outfits, increased happiness, and growth—offering a personal sense of accomplishment.

  • Leaderboard as social motivation: The leaderboard fostered healthy competition, allowing users to compare progress with peers, motivating them to return and improve their rank.

Results: Empowering users to see their impact

This combination of individual feedback through pet growth and social validation via leaderboards created a strong engagement loop. Users felt motivated by both personal progress and community efforts.

Outcome:

  • 30% increase in user retention: Users returned daily to check their pet’s progress and compete on the leaderboard.

  • Higher satisfaction rates: Users felt more motivated and empowered, as their climate actions felt tangible and impactful.

  • Fostering a supportive community: The app transformed climate action from an isolated effort into a collective mission, making it more rewarding and engaging for users.

Results: Empowering users to see their impact

This combination of individual feedback through pet growth and social validation via leaderboards created a strong engagement loop. Users felt motivated by both personal progress and community efforts.

Outcome:

  • 30% increase in user retention: Users returned daily to check their pet’s progress and compete on the leaderboard.

  • Higher satisfaction rates: Users felt more motivated and empowered, as their climate actions felt tangible and impactful.

  • Fostering a supportive community: The app transformed climate action from an isolated effort into a collective mission, making it more rewarding and engaging for users.

Results: Empowering users to see their impact

This combination of individual feedback through pet growth and social validation via leaderboards created a strong engagement loop. Users felt motivated by both personal progress and community efforts.

Outcome:

  • 30% increase in user retention: Users returned daily to check their pet’s progress and compete on the leaderboard.

  • Higher satisfaction rates: Users felt more motivated and empowered, as their climate actions felt tangible and impactful.

  • Fostering a supportive community: The app transformed climate action from an isolated effort into a collective mission, making it more rewarding and engaging for users.

Final Designs

Final Designs

Final Designs

Bite-Sized Action,
Big Impact

Kudo empowers users to complete small, manageable climate actions each day, growing both their positive environmental impact and their virtual pet’s happiness.

Earn Rewards,

Grow Your Impact

Earn "Cloud Points" by completing missions and use them to unlock adorable outfits for your virtual pet. The happier your pet, the more motivated you'll be to keep taking action!

Connect & Share

Your Journey

Build a supportive sustainable community with friends! Share your progress, inspire each other, and show off your stylish pet to the world. You're not alone in going green!

Business impact

Success Metrics

Business impact

Success Metrics

Business impact

Success Metrics

User retention rate

Net promoter score

Paid partnerships with business

Final Takeaways

During the 15-week project, I collaborated with three teammates from diverse backgrounds. While the process came with unexpected challenges, it pushed us to grow both individually and as a team, resulting in a product we’re incredibly proud of!❤️‍🔥⚡️☀️☁️

If I had more time, I would…

  • Expand user testing: I would conduct more rounds of testing to gather deeper insights. This would have allowed us to make more data-driven design decisions, optimizing the app’s features for even greater impact.

  • Improve accessibility: I would develop a more comprehensive UI system, adhering to WCAG standards to ensure the app is inclusive and accessible to all users, making the product stronger for a wider audience.

What I learned…

  • Intentional decision-making: Throughout the project, I learned the importance of having clear objectives for each iteration. At times, shifting goals caused inefficiencies. Moving forward, I’ll ensure that every decision is tied to specific user or business outcomes for better clarity and direction.

  • The power of open communication: Honest, open discussions were crucial for team success. When differing opinions arose, we worked through them collaboratively, which ultimately led to stronger solutions and a better product.

Next project

Mixed Reality

Krafft

Immersive cultural experience connecting Korean traditions to global audiences

Mixed Reality

Krafft

Immersive cultural experience connecting Korean traditions to global audiences

Mixed Reality

Krafft

Immersive cultural experience connecting Korean traditions to global audiences

ⓒ 2024 Yuri Kim

Email

LinkedIn

ⓒ 2024 Yuri Kim

Email

LinkedIn

ⓒ 2024 Yuri Kim

Email

LinkedIn

YURI KIM

WORK

ABOUT

FUN

CONTACT

YURI KIM

YURI KIM

CONTACT