Brightcast

Problem/Challenge statement

Typical weather apps are transactional: check the forecast, exit the app. But what if the weather could inspire action instead of limit it? How might we design a tool that not only informs but also motivates users to plan their day with intention — rain or shine? The core idea was to create a personal planner disguised as a weather app, blending real-time weather with curated activities to foster both outdoor exploration and indoor balance.

What I set out to accomplish at the beginning of the project

• Foster Healthier Habits: Encourage outdoor activity through timely suggestions based on weather and energy levels.
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• Deliver Personal Relevance: Let the app adapt to the user over time, offering suggestions that resonate with their preferences.
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• Uplift and Inspire: Introduce emotionally intelligent features like motivational quotes and vibrant visuals to elevate everyday experiences.

User Research & Personas

Approach:

• Mixed-method user research (12 participants: surveys, interviews)
• Focus on emotional connections to weather, day-planning habits, and mobile app routines

Persona: David — Family-Oriented, Tech-Shy
“I want to take the kids somewhere fun — but I don’t have time to scroll or guess what works.”
• Needs: Simple, tailored suggestions
• Problem: Overwhelmed by options, unsure what’s feasible given the weather

Persona: Grace — Young Professional, Explorer
“I love discovering new places, but sometimes I just want an app that gets me without overthinking it.”
• Needs: Variety, mood-based planning
• Problem: Wants inspiration, not more decision fatigue

Wireframes & Information Architecture

Clear Navigation: Ensure the navigation within your app is intuitive and straightforward. Users should easily find their way around your app.

Categorize Activities: Group weather-based activity recommendations logically. For example, separate outdoor activities from indoor and culinary options.

Priority Content: Highlight the most relevant and engaging content. Just as Google should understand your most important web pages, your app should emphasize the activities or information that are of primary interest to users.

Logical Hierarchy: Create a logical hierarchy for your content. Users should be able to browse from general categories to specific activity details easily.

Internal Links: Implement internal links where relevant, guiding users to related content or activities. For instance, if a user is exploring outdoor activities, provide links to related indoor options when weather conditions are less favorable.

Clear Content Organization: Organize your app content neatly, just like you'd organize content on a website. Your app's content structure should match the logical flow that users expect.

Visual Language

Typography:
• SF Pro for headers to echo the Apple-native look and reinforce legibility
• Rubik for subheadings/body text, adding a slightly friendlier tone without compromising clarity

Color System:
• Used vibrant, saturated hues to reflect positive energy and counteract gloomy weather days
• Applied color sparingly in CTAs and mood accents, avoiding overwhelming the interface

Illustrations & Icons:
• Custom-drawn, cheerful icons (sun, umbrella, coffee mug, etc.) introduce personality
• Weather visuals double as mood indicators, subtly reinforcing tone

Microinteractions:
• Card hover and swipe states include soft animations to make interactions feel smooth and intentional
• Motivational quotes fade in subtly on load — adding delight without disrupting flow

Design Choices & Visual System

Approach:

One of my key references was the Apple Weather app — widely known for its clean interface, bold typography, and intuitive hierarchy. By borrowing familiar interaction patterns and spatial layout (e.g., vertically stacked forecast zones, large high-contrast temperature displays), I ensured that users could quickly orient themselves in Brightcast without a steep learning curve. This approach taps into mental models users already have, which boosts usability and reduces onboarding time.

Layout Structure:

• Top Module: The home screen greets users with a motivational quote and a quick-read weather summary, using bold type and icons.

• Main Modules: Horizontally scrollable activity cards, divided into weather-aware categories (Outdoor, Indoor, Culinary).

• Card Tags & Filtering: Each activity card includes subtle tags to help users filter and scan effortlessly — a system inspired by Spotify’s category chips and Pinterest-style discovery.