BetterU
Supporting young people’s mental wellbeing
Role:
Creative Direction / UX / UI
Duration:
3 Months
Strategy
Branding
Guidelines
Marketing
UX strategy
UI design
App design
Film & animation
The Problem
Ellie’s Angels is a UK-based charity focused on youth mental health. They envisioned BetterU - a free, accessible app to help young people build resilience and support their wellbeing. The challenge was to create an experience that felt safe, empowering, and engaging for users aged 13–25 - a group often underserved by clinical or overly serious mental health platforms.
To succeed, the app needed to speak the language of young people, look like something they’d want to use, and feel more like a helpful companion than a medical tool.
The Solution
I led the creative strategy and execution across all aspects of the project:
Naming & Brand identity: Designed a warm, inclusive identity with vibrant colours, friendly type, and accessible visuals - striking the right balance between positivity and sincerity.
App UX & UI Design:
Conducted user research to understand what young people actually needed and how they engaged with wellness tools.
Created a gamified, intuitive interface focused on daily wellbeing actions, self-reflection, and motivation.
Ensured that every touchpoint reduced friction and encouraged continued use.
Website Design: Developed a clear and welcoming landing page to introduce the app and its mission, provide resources, and drive downloads.
Motion Graphics & Social Content: Produced animated content and short-form videos to promote the app across social platforms and in schools.
The Impact
7,000+ app downloads and growing — driven by strong branding and youth-centered UX.
Promotional films commissioned by the NHS, amplifying reach and credibility.
Adopted by NHS departments as a tool to bridge the gap between young people presenting with mental health concerns and receiving professional care.
Praised by educators, healthcare workers, and young users for being approachable, empowering, and non-clinical.
Solidified Ellie’s Angels as not just a charity, but a digital-first mental health movement.
“Keiran was able to look at our aspirations and not only understand them but build on them and offer more creative input, this has undoubtedly resulted in a fuller, better app that young people want to use. We always find the Keiran extremely knowledgeable, quick to respond and produces outstanding work everytime.”
