Mental healthcare access for adults 65 and older is one of the most underserved gaps in the American healthcare system. Despite comprising over 20% of the elderly population, most individuals experiencing anxiety and depression never seek treatment — blocked by stigma, isolation, and a fragmented system that's difficult to navigate alone.

Embrace is a mobile application concept developed as my senior thesis at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (2023). The app addresses three core barriers — loneliness and isolation, access to mental health services, and communication between healthcare providers — through a dual-user architecture serving both a Care Recipient and a dedicated Care Partner. Because survey research revealed that the target audience had low confidence with digital interfaces, Embrace uses clearly stated words as navigation buttons rather than traditional icons, reducing friction for users who might otherwise disengage.

The project encompasses a complete brand identity system — including logo ideation, identity marks, color system, and typography — alongside full UX research, wireframing, and high-fidelity screen design in Figma. Embrace was presented twice before a panel of faculty and industry professionals, refining both the design and the rationale across two rounds of critique.