Introduction

SOLIS is a user-centered mobile app designed to encourage people to step outside and connect with the beauty of the outdoors, sunrises, and sunsets. Inspired by a shared appreciation for the sun, the app combines essential tools, weather information, personalized alerts, sun path tracking, and curated local viewpoints into a seamless experience, allowing users to plan and enjoy moments outside without worrying about logistics. SOLIS also fosters community engagement through its journal feed, where users can share photos, reactions, and experiences with friends. The design process integrated research, branding, wireframing, and prototyping to create an intuitive, visually appealing interface that encourages users to step outside, explore their surroundings, and experience the magic of the sky.

Benefits of SOLIS

Local Weather Information: Showcasing real-time weather data, including temperature, forecasts, sky conditions, sunrise and sunset times, and other key atmospheric details.

Alarms & Reminders: Personalized alarms and notifications to remind users to step outside and enjoy the sky.

Sun Path Tracker: Visualizes the sun’s position and movement across the sky throughout the day.

Local Viewpoints & Trails: Showcases the best local spots for skywatching, complete with directions and trail info to guide the way.

SOLIS Journal Feed: The ability to post and react to stunning sky photos, and connect with friends by sharing user experiences.

Design Goal

The brand identity for SOLIS was developed to capture the warmth, energy, and rhythm of the sun while creating a calm and inviting visual experience. The identity reflects the app’s purpose of helping users connect with natural light and the moments surrounding sunrise and sunset. The goal was to develop a bright, recognizable brand that translates seamlessly into a digital interface. Through intentional use of colour, typography, and form, the identity evokes golden skies, tranquil horizons, warmth, and light, encouraging users to slow down and engage with the outdoors.

Key Aspects of Design

Concept and Identity: The brand is centered around themes of sunlight, calmness, and connection to nature, using sun-inspired forms, colours, and symbolism to create a cohesive and meaningful visual language.

Colour Palette: Warm, gradient-based tones inspired by sunrise and sunset create a peaceful, inviting atmosphere while reinforcing the app’s connection to natural light and well-being.

Typography: A mix of expressive display type and clean, approachable sans-serif typefaces creates balance, combining personality with clarity. Subtle curves add softness, resulting in a modern yet organic feel.

Logo and Symbolism: The SOLIS logo incorporates geometric shapes, warm tones, and graidents, representing the sun’s movement and energy, resulting in a mark that is simple, versatile, and instantly recognizable.

Visual Language: Minimal, nature-inspired elements such as soft curves and geometric forms create consistency across the brand while maintaining a sense of warmth, rhythm, and visual harmony.

UI Overview

The UI design for SOLIS focuses on creating a calm, intuitive, and visually engaging experience that reflects the joy of the sun and the outdoors. A clean layout and clear navigation system allow users to easily access key features such as weather information, sunrise and sunset times, and local viewpoints. The interface uses a warm color palette drawn from sunrise and sunset tones, paired with simple, legible typography to establish hierarchy and readability. Rounded icons, soft gradients, and minimal design elements contribute to an approachable and inviting user experience, reinforcing the app’s purpose of slowing down and connecting with nature. Interactive features like the sun path visualization and journal feed are seamlessly integrated, ensuring that functionality and visual design work together to support both planning and experience.