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Illustrations for mental health and wellness apps
People open a wellness app when they want to feel steadier. The visuals should lower the temperature: calm, unhurried, and never judging.
By Abdullah NomanNovember 5, 20263 min read
Short answer: use quiet, object-based scenes (a meditation cushion, a journal, a breathing circle, a gratitude jar) in soft, limited colour, with plenty of space around them. Avoid faces with strong emotions, bright warning colours and anything that reads as a score. Empty states and streaks should encourage, never scold.
What should wellness app illustrations avoid?
- Exaggerated faces. A very happy or very sad character can feel like a judgement on how the user feels today.
- Alarm colours. Red and bright orange suggest danger. Keep warnings for real safety messages.
- Clutter. Busy scenes raise the pulse. One object and white space is enough.
- Guilt on empty screens. "You have not journaled in 5 days" with a sad picture drives people away.
Which scenes does a wellness app need?
| Feature | Scene |
|---|---|
| Meditation | Cushion with a timer, headphones with calm music |
| Breathing | An expanding circle |
| Journaling | Notebook and pen, affirmation cards, gratitude jar |
| Sleep | Moon and sleep tracker, screen-time limit |
| Habits | Habit grid, water bottle, yoga mat, a walk outside |
| Therapy | Two chairs for a session, a calendar for booking |
How should empty states and streaks be written?
Write as a friend, not a coach. "A fresh page whenever you want it" works better than "No entries yet". If you track streaks, make missing a day cheap: "Welcome back" instead of "Streak lost". Pair the line with a calm figure and one gentle action.
Does dark mode matter for wellness apps?
Very much. People use sleep, meditation and journaling features at night, so every illustration needs a dark version that stays soft rather than glowing.
Where can you get wellness illustrations?
Liniqo’s Mental Health & Wellness pack has 25 calm scenes, with Healthcare and Clinic Software packs in the same style for apps that also book appointments or handle records. Browse them in the library, in light and dark.
Questions
What style of illustration suits a mental health app?
Calm, object-based scenes with soft, limited colour and plenty of space, rather than expressive faces.
Should a meditation app use characters?
It can, but neutral expressions work best. Objects avoid suggesting how the user ought to feel.
How do I design empty states for a journaling app?
Use an inviting line, a calm figure and one action. Never make the user feel behind.
Do wellness apps need dark mode illustrations?
Yes. Sleep and evening features are used in the dark, so each figure needs a soft dark version.
