Mindful Things

About

Thoughtful technology.
Made for real life.

At Mindful Things, we believe the best technology doesn’t demand your attention. It earns its place in your life by making everyday experiences simpler, safer and more enjoyable.

We’re an independent British software company creating thoughtfully designed apps that solve real-world problems. Our philosophy is straightforward: powerful technology should feel effortless to use.

Ian Richardson with his golden retriever Remington
Ian, with Remington, chief road-tester.

Our story

Built on experience.
Driven by curiosity.

Mindful Things was founded by Ian Richardson, a technology entrepreneur and software developer whose career spans systems analysis, software engineering, business leadership and user-centred design.

Ian’s career in technology began in the late 1980s, during the early development of the personal computer software industry. He went on to found and manage software businesses, lead multidisciplinary development teams and work on technology projects for some of the world’s best-known organisations.

His professional experience includes systems development and consultancy involving BP, British Airways, Jaguar Cars, British Telecom, Honda, Nokia, Morgan Stanley and major British financial institutions.

As a founding director of tw2.com, Ian helped grow the business from 20 to 115 employees, establishing departments covering software development, project management, usability, marketing and business strategy. Particularly important was a dedicated user-centred design team, bringing together expertise in psychology, human behaviour and interface design to make complex software easier and more intuitive to use.

Throughout, Ian has kept a particular interest in the relationship between people and technology: not simply what software can do, but how it can genuinely improve the experience of the people using it.

Our thinking

Software should adapt to people.
Not the other way around.

After many years working with complex enterprise systems and running businesses, Ian returned to hands-on software development with a simple ambition: to create apps that combine sophisticated engineering with elegant, uncomplicated design.

Our products are developed around practical needs, with particular attention to usability, privacy, reliability and the small details that make technology a pleasure rather than a frustration.

  • Less friction. Fewer taps, fewer decisions, fewer surprises.
  • Quieter by default. Our apps should calm things down, not compete for your attention.
  • Respect for people. Built around consent, choice and independence.
  • Tested in real life. On real roads, with real families, before anyone else is asked to rely on them.

What we’re building

Could this work better?

Each product begins with that simple question. From there, we explore how thoughtful design and modern technology can give a more satisfying answer.

Mindful Navigation

Calm, scenic driving routes that steer around towns, with the option to avoid motorways and busy dual carriageways, and good places to stop along the way.

Together

Location sharing for families and partners, with gentle arrival and departure alerts so you know the people you love got there safely.

Independent by design

Technology with purpose.
Design with empathy.

Mindful Things is independently owned and developed in the United Kingdom. We aren’t interested in complexity for its own sake, or in following every passing trend. We’re interested in building useful, dependable software that people genuinely enjoy using.

We’d love to hear from you: hello@mindfulthings.co.uk.