Too much content, not enough guidance
Embla’s existing article library consisted of a large collection of standalone articles, but users found it overwhelming and unrelated to their personal goals, not knowing which articles will actually help them improve. It's a common struggle. Too much time spent searching, and not enough time learning.
Missed opportunities
Embla felt the impact as well. Lower user engagement means missed opportunities for growth and revenue. The key product - health coaching service was disconnected from learning in the app.
Tackling technical complexities in the backend
Beyond the user experience, we faced a number of technical challenges. Managing multiple languages, organizing content, and tracking user progress all add layers of complexity to the system.
Challenges
While the app offered a variety of learning articles, users mentioned feeling overwhelmed by lengthy, unstructured content.
This lack of clarity and personalization led to disengagement, with many members skipping over valuable learning opportunities altogether.
On the back end, the core health coaching service was disconnected from the app’s learning resources.
The content had to be tailored to different languages and locales, while creating, managing, and assigning learning materials was not straightforward.
User Research
Confidentiality restrictions made it difficult to directly engage with users. We needed to understand user needs without compromising their privacy. We conducted qualitative coaches interviews, who passed on insights and comments from members combined with usability testing on the existing system.
Kamila M.
note
Users found it difficult to navigate through the article library, with no clear guidance on what content to read to align with their current goals and knowledge level.
Ideation
User Flows and Prototyping
Mapping user flows focused on simplifying content discovery and learning assignments. The wireframes focused on clean navigation and ease-of-use features, supporting members on their wellness journey.
Minimum viable product & user testing
Prototypes were developed in Figma and concept was tested with a group of users. The early minimum viable product testing stage revealed positive feedback on the simplified navigation and course structure and insights on things worth iterating on after the MVP implementation.
Final designs
Progress tracking and achievement. For users focused on tracking success and motivation.
Problem
Users want to see tangible progress to stay motivated. Without clear progress markers or engaging learning methods, they may feel discouraged and lose track of their accomplishments.
Solution
Progress visibility and My Learning give users a comprehensive view of their learning journey, keeping them motivated to continue.
Reflection quiz and interactive elements provide clear completion states and active engagement points, giving users a sense of accomplishment and reinforcing learning through interaction.
Final designs
Guided learning and personalization. For users seeking structure and relevance.
Kamila M.
note
The personalized learning focus feature was added in a personal post-MVP iteration.
Problem
Users often feel overwhelmed by a large amount of content without clear direction or relevance to their personal goals. They may struggle to find what’s most important for them based on their individual health and learning needs.
Solution
Final designs
Exploration, discovery, and engagement. For users who want freedom to explore and interact.
Problem
Users who prefer exploring content at their own pace may feel restricted or frustrated by rigid learning structures. They need a way to manage, organize, or find content that interests them for a specific context.
Solution
Tab dedicated to exploring the library and deep searching & filtering give users the flexibility to discover courses or mini-courses that suit their area of interest, available time, or preferred medium of learning, promoting autonomy.
Saving, sharing, and managing content allows users to organize their learning material for later access, providing a sense of control over their content.
Deep linking enables users to explore related content easily, encouraging further learning without leaving gaps in their understanding.
Lessons learned
While the Learning Library launched with limited content, initial qualitative feedback highlighted its potential. Building an adaptable, scalable framework early on can support long-term potential, but its success depends on content richness, user engagement strategies and leveraging the system’s capabilities.
Key lessons learned:
Content and structure symbiosis
The symbiotic relationship between content and its structure was vital.
Modular, actionable learning material resonated strongly with users, validating the importance of presenting information in a way that matches their mental models and attention spans.
Integration creates cohesion
Tying the learning experience to the coaching service improved usability and relevance, highlighting that seamless integration between product features fosters deeper engagement.
Anticipate and address friction
Mapping user flows and designing for actions like saving, managing, and revisiting content removed common frustrations, showing that reducing cognitive load directly impacts user satisfaction and retention.
