Lake: Coloring Book for Adults

What it does

Lake is a coloring app for adults that focuses on mindfulness and relaxation. It provides a large library of exclusive illustrations from various artists that users can color with a suite of digital tools. Beyond standard coloring, the app includes unique features like a mood-tracking journal that generates custom color palettes, and a blank canvas for freeform drawing.

Where it shines

Lake excels in creating a calming and personal user experience from the very beginning. The onboarding (00:06) immediately sets a mindful tone and uses a short quiz to tailor content, making the subsequent free trial offer (00:48) feel like a personalized invitation rather than a generic gate. The core coloring experience is thoughtfully designed, with contextual tooltips (02:09) that teach users as they go, avoiding overwhelming tutorials. The standout feature is the Coloring Journal (06:08), which cleverly connects emotional expression with creativity by generating a color palette based on the user's reported mood.

UX highlights

Just-in-time tooltips. Instead of an upfront tutorial, the app explains tools like the eyedropper (02:09) and brush sizer (03:22) the first time the user interacts with them.
Multiple discovery paths. The home screen offers daily picks, festive themes, and a deep library organized by artist, collection, and category (09:08), catering to different browsing behaviors.
Intuitive color selection. The color wheel is simple to navigate, and users can create custom palettes or use curated artist palettes (02:27).
Comprehensive settings. Advanced controls for precision sliders and opacity are available in the settings menu (05:20), giving power users more control without cluttering the main interface.
Studio vs. Gallery. The app separates works-in-progress ('My Studio') from finished pieces ('My Gallery'), a smart organizational choice that helps users manage their creations (09:47 and 10:18).
ASMR sounds. The app includes optional soothing brush sounds to deepen the relaxing experience, a small but impactful detail for a mindfulness app (05:23).

Monetization & growth

Monetization is handled through a soft paywall encountered at the end of onboarding (00:48). The app pushes users toward a 7-day free trial for a yearly subscription. The paywall is transparent, featuring a visual timeline of when the trial ends and billing begins. It also clearly lists the benefits of subscribing, such as access to over 1,500 drawings. After subscribing, the app immediately uses the moment of high intent to request notification permissions (01:17), framing it as a helpful reminder for the trial's end.

Who it’s for

This app is designed for adults seeking a creative outlet for stress relief and mindfulness. Its target audience likely values aesthetics, emotional well-being, and artistic expression. The artist-centric content library appeals to users who appreciate illustration and want to support creators. The journaling feature also makes it suitable for individuals interested in self-reflection and combining creativity with mood tracking.

Notes & opportunities

The coloring experience is fluid, but the initial tooltips, while helpful, can momentarily interrupt the creative flow. A more subtle, non-modal hint system could be an alternative. Additionally, while the journal creates a mood palette, the app could further guide the user on how to use those specific colors to express their feelings in the provided drawing. Overall, the app provides a polished and deeply thoughtful experience that successfully merges creativity with mental wellness.