A Participatory Design Approach to Improving Dancer Well-Being

Abstract

This study explores the development of a low-fidelity mobile application designed to support dancers’ well-being by addressing the unique physical, mental, and emotional challenges they face. Drawing from a literature review, qualitative data from interviews, and participatory design methods, the research identifies key themes and needs rooted in autonomy, competency, and relatedness. These insights informed the creation of a prototype grounded in the CALO-RE taxonomy of behavior change, featuring tools for goal setting, personalization, gamification, and community engagement. Findings from user testing revealed both the app’s potential to streamline wellness practices and key areas for refinement, such as user flow and teacher integration. This paper highlights the untapped role of UI design in dancer well-being and demonstrates how a user-centered, participatory approach can lead to more effective, multifaceted tools that support dancers’ health beyond performance alone