CHI SURF
UX Project including – Concept & Brand Development
| Web & Desktop App Development | Photography & Film Editing
The Project
Chi Surf is a unique digital platform that integrates surfing with mindful movement practices to enhance mental and physical well-being. It consists of:
A promotional website that educates users about the concept of surf therapy and its benefits.
A desktop application that supports existing patients with guided exercises, meditation, and continuous practice.
Platform
Website & Desktop App
Tools
Xd | Ps | Ai | Id | Pr | Ae | Wp
Timline
2021-2022
Sea conditions and life circumstances often break the therapeutic routine.
Users needed a way to stay connected to their practice - emotionally and physically - even off the water.
Create an intuitive, calming digital companion that guides users through customized daily exercises, tracks emotional wellbeing, and nurtures personal growth.
• Pre-practice check-ins & emotional journaling
• Tailored video practices based on user input
• A digital diary & community scheduling tool
• Weekly mantras + progress reflection for deeper chi development
Post-launch testing showed a 45% rise in consistent practice days.
Users cited “emotional uploads” as the most meaningful feature - bridging the internal with the external.
Before the UX...
Here’s how I brought Chi Surf to life, from spark to screen:
💡 Concept Development From the core idea to the full experience.
🔍 UX Research Interviews, personas & process to shape the product mindfully.
🎨 Branding & Logo Visual identity rooted in movement & stillness.
📹 Promo Video (Editing & Animation) Created the launch film and yes, I even modeled in it 😅
📷 Photography & 4-Day Filming Directed and shot the chi surf team in action.
💻 Front-End Dev (Marketing Site & Desktop App) Built with HTML, CSS & Elementor WP
And now… catch the UX wave 🌊
👇 Inhale to enter the UX flow
You’re the captain: choose your wave
Ready to paddle out? You can explore the full UX journey, or ride straight into the visuals. Let the flow guide you. Follow your breath.
Dive into the UX Journey
See the full design process
Jump to the Final Designs
Prefer to see how it all came together visually?
Go straight to high-fidelity mockups and interface screens
Jump to the Final Designs
Prefer to see how it all came together visually?
Go straight to high-fidelity mockups and interface screens
Deep Dive into UX
Every wave begins in stillness.
Trace the flow from insight to interface - user research, testing, and mindful iteration that shaped Chi Surf from concept to clarity.
Deep Dive into UX
Every wave begins in stillness.
Trace the flow from insight to interface - user research, testing, and mindful iteration that shaped Chi Surf from concept to clarity.
Jump to the Final Designs
Catch the wave at its peak.
Jump straight into the final UI - fully-formed screens, interactions, and the visual soul of the product in motion.
Jump to the Final Designs
Catch the wave at its peak.
Jump straight into the final UI - fully-formed screens, interactions, and the visual soul of the product in motion.
Choose your rhythm. Whether you breathe through the process or ride the visuals, both paths flow to Chi
Problems
Surf therapy sessions occur weekly at sea, but several challenges arise
Accessibility issues
Patients may be unable to attend in-person sessions due to location constraints
Weather conditions
Poor sea conditions can disrupt
practice routines
Ongoing support
There is a need for continuous guidance and structured programs beyond in-person sessions
Mental well-being tracking
Personalized support and monitoring are essential for effective therapy
Insights & Solutions
To address these challenges, Chi Surf developed
A daily companion desktop application
providing guided at-home practices, personalized exercises, and mental well-being tracking
A personal questionnaire
Adjust practices online according to the user’s current condition
A structured practice system
Maintain continuity when users cannot surf in the sea
Engagement features
Including progress tracking and motivational quotes, to enhance the user’s experience
Research Methods
Conducted extensive research on surf therapy, its benefits, and its target audience.
Identified key user personas based on individuals seeking alternative healing methods, such as yoga and meditation enthusiasts and those recovering from mental health challenges.
The Survey
The survey was conducted on Google Forms and answered by 50 people and measured in percentages.
Usability Testing & Feedback Analysis
After launching the Chi Surf desktop app and promotional website, we conducted usability testing sessions with 8 users, a mix of existing surf therapy participants and new users curious about the method.
What We Tested:
The clarity of the onboarding questionnaire
Ease of accessing and completing home practices
Understanding of emotional story submission
Navigation within the practice diary and community features
Key Findings:
- 95% found the questionnaire intuitive and appreciated the emotional check-in
- 88% successfully completed a video practice on their first attempt
- Users wanted clearer feedback after uploading their emotional story
- Some confusion around group session availability times
Post-Test Improvements:
Added visual confirmation and supportive messaging after story submission
Refined practice scheduling UX with clearer time slots and timezone sync
Improved CTA language across the dashboard to guide next steps
Impact:
These changes led to increased engagement time and repeat logins during the first two weeks post-launch. Early retention data indicates a strong emotional connection to the app’s core experience.
Personas
Gal | 26 | TelAviv
A yoga practitioner and hobbyist surfer interested in the mind-body connection.
Excited about integrating yoga with surf therapy.
Uses the desktop app to continue structured practice at home during poor weather conditions.
Ben | 34 | EmekHefer
Former military personnel seeking relief from PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Discovered mindfulness and meditation while traveling.
Prefers continuous therapy with structured guidance and empowerment practices.
Scenario 1: Gal’s Journey
Engages in structured Chi exercises guided by an instructor.
Uses the desktop application when sea conditions prevent in-person practice.
Log into the app, complete a short questionnaire, and access personalized home practices.
Follows guided videos and concludes each session with motivational insights.
Scenario 2: Samantha’s Experience
Discovers surf therapy through the promotional website, which offers educational content, testimonials, and videos.
Downloads the desktop application and completes a personalized onboarding process.
Follows a structured program integrating surfing exercises, meditation, and conscious movement.
Engages with gamified elements like progress tracking and challenges to stay motivated.
Experiences reduced stress and improved mental well-being after consistent practice.
Chi Surf Website
- An image site for Chi Surf accompanied by photographs and doodle lines.
- Quick access to the personal profile that patients receive.
- Content explaining what is Chi.
- What tools will the patients receive.
- Content explaining how to practice chi in surfing.
- An explanation of the application and the personal accompaniment of Chi Surf.
- Chi Surf’s articles and inspirations
for empowerment.
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Website & App Design
Promotional Website
Designed with a visually appealing and intuitive interface.
Features quick access to personal profiles for registered users.
Provides detailed explanations of surf therapy and its benefits.
Includes an introduction to Chi Surf’s guided programs and personal accompaniment.
Features articles and inspiration for continued learning and empowerment.
Desktop Application
Personalized user dashboard with tailored exercises.
Guided video content for home practice.
Daily well-being check-ins with adaptive recommendations.
Community features for user interaction and support.
Progress tracking with motivational rewards.
Impact & Outcomes
Provided continuous support for users unable to attend in-person sessions.
Enabled structured at-home practice, maintaining therapy consistency.
Enhanced user motivation through gamification and community engagement.
Strengthened the integration of mindfulness and surf therapy for improved well-being.
Conclusion
Chi Surf successfully bridges the gap between traditional surf therapy and digital accessibility.
By offering a seamless transition between in-person and digital practice, it empowers users to cultivate mental and physical well-being anytime, anywhere.
Design
- Based on the research, I designed a promotional website that would appeal to the target audience.
- The website is designed to be simple, user-friendly, and visually appealing.
- It includes information about the benefits of surfing therapy, the practitioner who leads the therapy sessions, and the process involved in the therapy.
- The website also includes a section for booking sessions and purchasing the accompanying desktop application.
- For the desktop application, we designed a user interface that is intuitive and easy
to use. - The application includes daily exercises that help patients practice the way of the yogi’s life and strengthen their peace of mind.
- The exercises are designed to be interactive, engaging, and easy to follow, with visual aids and clear instructions.
- The application also includes a section for tracking progress, setting goals, and connecting with the practitioner.
Login and Registration
The screen changes with a pleasant animation by pressing the register/login button.
Flow 1 - Personalized Home Practice Adjustment
Objective: Tailor home practices based on the user’s current emotional and physical state.
- User Check-In – A short questionnaire prompts users to reflect on their well-being.
- Emotional Story Upload (Optional) – Users can share an emotional story before beginning practice.
- Personalized Practice Suggestions – Based on responses, the system recommends three guided video practices.
- Practice Completion – Users follow the selected practice and mark it as completed.
- Post-Practice Reflection – Users can share an emotional story and view a summary of their home practices.
Flow 2 - Digital Exercise Diary & Community Engagement
Objective: Track surf therapy progress and build a supportive practice community.
- Practice Registration – Users register for private or group sessions via the diary.
- Session Overview – Displays upcoming practices with details (date, time, type of session).
- Community Participation – Users see who else is registered and can invite members to join.
- Practice Log – Completed sessions are automatically logged for personal progress tracking.
Flow 3 - The Chi Development & Mindfulness Integration
Objective: Strengthen the connection between surfing, personal growth, and daily mindfulness.
- Emotional Story Archive – Users can revisit and reflect on past emotional stories.
- Progress Insights – Data visualization of the user’s progress in surf therapy and personal growth.
- Parallel Learnings – Highlights insights from surf experiences that apply to daily life.
- Weekly Mantra Practice – Users receive a new mantra each week, incorporating it into their daily routine.
- Community Challenge – Encourages engagement through shared weekly challenges to strengthen Chi.
Design System
