Research

I analyzed four highly rated apps for focus and task management: Brain Focus, Asana, Due, and Focus@Will. Brain Focus had an easy and basic design but focused entirely on task management. Asana excelled in team collaboration but has potential to be overwhelming. Due provided effective reminders but lacked customization, and Focus@Will offered focus-enhancing music but with limited customization.

To define the problem and understand the audience, I conducted comprehensive research using resources such as the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. This helped me gain insights into issues related to focus and motivation loss and identify effective methods to boost productivity. I interviewed four participants, both in-person and remotely, asking about their distractions, focus methods, and task completion experiences. Participants were selected based on their work and lifestyle. Initially, there were four participants, including an 8-year-old with ADHD. However, the child's responses were too general, and the parent couldn't provide useful data, indicating the child was perhaps too young to benefit from the app. Among the remaining participants, one used their phone to stay focused at work, another used it for stress relief and focus while doing household errands, and the third worked remotely on multiple projects, using various methods to stay focused and organized to meet deadlines.

The insights gathered from these interviews were invaluable. To synthesize the data, I created an affinity map using Figjam. This allowed me to organize the data I collected and start to prioritize valuable information that would help in the early stages of the design process. Three out of four participants generally got easily distracted, with half attributing this to anxiety. The majority utilized their own systems or processes to stay focused, and half of them relied on music for their type of work. Key factors for maintaining motivation included setting goals and expectations and having a sense of accountability.

“How might we integrate ambient noise or music options within the app, tailored to enhance concentration based on the user's preferences and the nature of their work?”

“How might we implement a focus timer that uses principles of the Pomodoro Technique, but with customizable durations to suit different users’ concentration spans and task requirements?”

To address the user pain points, I developed Point of Views (POVs) and How Might We (HMW) statements. This process allowed me to identify and articulate the specific needs of users, which subsequently opened up various design opportunities. I also created two personas using the data and insights from the interviews. This step was crucial for identifying the key factors that would attract users to the app and ensure their ongoing engagement.

Personas

With these insights in mind, I brainstormed ideas to minimize distractions and enhance focus through intuitive design. Initial concepts included a customizable focus timer, distraction blocker, progress tracking, rewards system, voice commands, task list, reminders, and a lock screen for accountability.