HerNest – Designing a True Companion for New Mothers in Their Postpartum Journey
Being a new mother can feel overwhelming. While the world has many resources, they’re often fragmented, making it difficult to navigate the challenges of motherhood. That’s where HerNest comes in. It’s an app designed to be a constant, supportive companion for new mothers, addressing both their emotional and physical needs. In this case study, I’ll take you through the design process behind HerNest and how empathy-driven design helped create an experience that truly supports mothers during one of the most important times of their lives.
The Spark: The Idea Behind HerNest
The idea for HerNest began from a personal realization. After having my own child, I felt the isolation that many new mothers experience. The postpartum journey isn’t just about physical recovery—it’s about emotional well-being, finding time for self-care, and having a community. I wanted to create an app that would offer a nurturing space, much like how nature nurtures life. HerNest was born to be that companion for every new mother.
The Challenge: Addressing the Gap in Support
My research revealed a major gap in how new mothers receive support. Many felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice and the lack of personalized care. Over 60% of mothers expressed feeling isolated, especially in the first months. This highlighted a significant need for a single, trusted source where mothers could find guidance, support, and resources.
12-15%
New Mothers Suffers from Postpartum Depression
10-15%
Mothers experiences postpartum anxiety
60%
Mothers feel isolated
User Research: Deep Dive into the Needs of New Mothers
Through interviews with new mothers, I discovered that mental health and emotional support were crucial to their recovery. The physical aspects of motherhood were just as important, but it was the emotional and psychological needs that often went unmet. The design of HerNest had to address this gap and provide a holistic solution
Behind the scenes of Hernest
Behind the scenes of Hernest, the journey started with deep user research—capturing real experiences through user interview screenshots and mobile voice notes, where new mothers shared their struggles with postpartum isolation and self-care. These insights laid the foundation for the app’s core features. Moving into ideation, rough sketches and wireframes helped visualize the structure, refining how users would navigate the app seamlessly. The information architecture and user flow diagrams mapped out a smooth, intuitive experience, ensuring that every interaction felt natural and supportive. From early concepts to final design, each step was driven by user needs, shaping Hernest into a thoughtful, empowering space for new mothers.
Creating the Persona: Designing for Ulka
Ulka is a 30-year-old first-time mother. She is overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure where to turn for both emotional and physical support. I used her persona to inform every design decision—ensuring that the app would be intuitive, nurturing, and provide real value in her day-to-day journey.
Brainstorming & Ideation: Generating the Right Solutions
The ideation process focused on providing practical and emotional support. Key features included:
Mood Tracker: To help mothers check in on their emotional well-being.
Community Support: A space for mothers to connect, share stories, and offer advice.
Find Your Mom Buddy: A feature where mothers can be matched with other moms for support and companionship.
Self-Care Tools: A hobbies section to rediscover personal passions and joy.
These ideas were developed with one goal in mind: to help new mothers feel emotionally seen and supported.
Crafting the Visual Design: A Safe and Calming Space
I drew inspiration from nature’s nurturing qualities, using earthy tones like greens, browns, and soft neutrals. The design aimed to create a warm, calm, and supportive environment. The interface was kept minimal and intuitive, ensuring that every interaction felt effortless and emotionally comforting.
Pakhi – The Nurturing Mascot
Pakhi, the mascot, was created to embody the warmth and care that HerNest offers. As a nurturing mother bird, Pakhi guides users through their journey, offering encouragement and emotional support. She appears throughout the app, making the experience feel personal and approachable. I have illustrated Pakhi in Procreate app.
Wireframing & Prototyping: Turning Ideas into Reality
Wireframing was the first step in bringing the design to life. I focused on simplicity and usability, ensuring that the app was intuitive and easy to navigate. The wireframes were refined based on user feedback, always keeping Ulka’s emotional and practical needs at the center of the design
Final Design: The HerNest Experience
The final design for HerNest is clean, soothing, and user-centric. Every screen is designed with empathy in mind, ensuring that new mothers feel supported every step of the way. The onboarding process introduces Pakhi, and the app’s features provide the emotional and practical support new mothers need
Click on the image below to explore the prototype and experience Hernest firsthand
The Future Vision: Growing with HerNest
The vision for HerNest is far from over. Future plans include expanding to offer tools for physical health, baby care, and even a Learn & Earn section for mothers to sell handmade crafts. We also plan to bring fathers into the fold, offering guidance on how they can best support their partners.
Conclusion: A Design That Cares
HerNest was designed with one purpose: to be a true companion for new mothers. With a holistic approach to emotional and physical well-being, HerNest strives to make every mother feel supported, understood, and cared for.
