Special Olympics APAC: Encouraging Athletes to Stay Active
Industry
Nonprofit, Sports, Health & Wellness
Client
Special Olympics (APAC)
Platforms
Mobile
Date
2016
CASE STUDY BRIEF
Capability
Inclusive design, mobile UX, research synthesis
Leadership level
Director
What I led
Designed Sprout, a mobile activity concept for Special Olympics Asia Pacific that used a growing virtual plant to encourage athletes to stay active between events.
Why it matters
Translated athlete and caregiver research into a simple, motivating product concept grounded in approved training routines and accessible interaction patterns.
Challenge
Special Olympics athletes needed encouragement to stay active between events, while caregivers and coaches needed the experience to be simple, supportive, and appropriate for different abilities.
Role
I led the product and interaction design concept at Palo IT, translating research and training needs into a mobile experience that could motivate activity without feeling clinical.
What I designed
Sprout used a growing virtual plant as a feedback loop. Approved exercises and activity moments helped the plant grow, giving athletes a clear, friendly reason to return.
Evidence boundary
This is a concept and product design case. The strongest evidence is the research translation, accessible interaction model, and motivating product metaphor.
Why it matters
It shows how I design for motivation, accessibility, and emotional clarity when the audience needs more than a conventional productivity tool.
