PenMyPlan
Handwriting Planner App for iPad
PenMyPlan is an iPad app designed to assist users who struggle with maintaining focus during the planning process. It facilitates efficient and productive planning, enabling users to stay organized and on track with their goals while avoiding distractions. The app offers a handwriting feature that enhances memory and decision-making, a distraction-free mode for uninterrupted planning, and an AI assistant (similar to AI Chat GPT) that aids in breaking down goals, scheduling tasks, and managing time effectively.
ROLE
UX Design
Visual Design
Branding
TIMELINE
5-week
DESIGN DELIVERABLES
Market Research
User Research
User Stories & Flows
Wireframes
Usability Testing
Branding & Identity
Visual Design
TOOLS
Figma
Miro
Google Surveys
Maze
Overview
Problem
Many users struggle to manage their time effectively and stay focused on their goals, which becomes even more challenging for individuals with conditions like ADHD or ADD. The presence of distractions in the digital world, such as constant notifications, app alerts, and overwhelming multitasking, hampers their ability to concentrate on essential tasks and leads to reduced productivity and increased stress levels. As a result, users spend excessive time planning, miss deadlines, and find it difficult to break down their long-term goals into actionable steps. There is a pressing need for a solution that empowers users to combat distractions, enhance focus, and efficiently organize their tasks to achieve their goals and maintain a sense of accomplishment.
Develop a handwriting planner app for iPad that offers a user-friendly interface featuring a distraction-free mode, incorporates AI-powered assistance that breaks down long-term goals into actionable tasks, and assigns specific days and times for each task. A personalized, immersive, tactile experience empowers users, eliminates distractions, streamlines planning processes, and ultimately enables users to effectively manage their time, achieve their goals, and reduce stress.
Solution
Target Audience
Key demographics
Age Ranges from 18-60 years old, including students, young professionals, teachers, and freelancers.
Gender Gender-neutral and designed to be user-friendly for everyone.
Key psychographics
Personality Organized, Goal-oriented
Values Time Management / Productivity / Self-Improvement
Lifestyle Busy individuals juggling multiple tasks, deadlines, and long-term goals. These individuals could be balancing work, education, and personal projects.
Challenges
Lack of Time Management Struggles with managing time and organizing tasks effectively.
Staying Focused Struggles with staying focused due to the distractions of digital platforms.
Goal Setting and Achievement Struggles with setting long-term goals and breaking them down into smaller, achievable tasks.
Remembering Tasks Hs difficulty keeping track of their tasks and deadlines.
Process
Research
User Research
Information Architecture
Wireframes
Branding & Identity
Visual Design
Usability Testing
Conclusion
Research
Competitive Analysis
At the beginning of the project, I conducted a SWOT analysis on three competing products, namely "GoodNotes," "Evernote," and "Todoist." This helped me gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of their apps and understand the needs and expectations of users of planner and productivity apps. I conducted a comprehensive competitive analysis to focus on these areas.
User Research
User Survey
To gain a deeper insight into the users' preferences, I conducted a survey of 24 respondents. The survey's goal was to collect crucial data about users' needs, motivations, and frustrations with the apps they utilize daily. By doing so, I better understood how the apps can be improved to serve users' needs better.
User Survey Results & Findings
Findings
54.2% Sometimes struggles with distractions when using digital devices or applications
25% Frequently struggle with distractions when using digital devices or applications.
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Findings
About 50% Use Pen and Paper to manage and track long-term goals or projects.
About 50% Use Digital task management tools to manage and track your long-term goals or projects.
Findings
45.5% Encounter difficulties breaking down goals into actionable tasks when managing long-term goals or projects.
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Findings
79.2% Like to visualize progress with progress bars or completion percentages in the app.
75% Like to see the app breaking down larger goals/projects into smaller, actionable subtasks.
75% Like to include notes or additional details for each task within the goal/project in the app.
66.7% Like to see assigning priority levels or importance ratings to different tasks within the goal/project in the app.
62.5% Like to set specific milestones and deadlines for each task within the goal/project in the app.
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User Interview
Following the completion of four comprehensive user interviews, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of their unique needs and preferences. The questions posed during these interviews were thoughtfully tailored to each individual's requirements, allowing for a truly insightful and informative experience.
The interview questions centered on:
Factors influencing handwriting vs. typing preference.
Digital planner usage and preferred features.
Dealing with distractions during tasks.
Challenges and methods for goal/project management.
Interaction with AI chatbots and reliance.
Users generally prefer handwriting their tasks and notes over typing them. They find it more natural and enjoyable, and it helps them to stay focused.
Findings from User Interview
Users find digital planners and scheduling apps helpful but often experience distractions. They would like to see features that help them stay focused, such as blocking notifications and restricting access to certain apps or features.
Users find it helpful to use AI-powered chatbots to break down their long-term goals into smaller tasks and assign them specific days or times. This helps them to stay on track and achieve their goals.
Key Takeaways from User Survey & Interview
Handwriting Preference:
Users prefer handwriting tasks and notes due to the tactile experience and customizable layouts. Digital planning tools should maintain an intuitive, tactile interface.
AI Assistance:
Users accept AI chatbots for tasks, but some want flexibility.
Existing App Usage:
Users use Google Calendar, Trello, and Notion for task management due to ease, accessibility, and syncing.
Long-term Goal Management:
Users use to-do lists, timelines, and project tools for long-term goals. Planner apps need features for goal breakdown, timeline visualization, and project tracking.
Distractions and Coping:
Distractions are problematic; techniques like Pomodoro, mindfulness, and "Do Not Disturb" help. Users want focus-promoting features.
Useful Features:
Reminders, task lists, customizable labels, and collaboration are valued. Future developments should include these functionalities.
Implementing
To effectively meet user satisfaction based on the implementation of user survey and interview results, I established the following priorities:
Customization:
Users should be able to customize the AI Chat assistant to fit their specific needs and preferences. This could include setting their own deadlines, adjusting the frequency of reminders, or choosing which tasks to prioritize.
Flexibility:
The AI Chat assistant should be flexible enough to adapt to the user's changing needs and preferences. For example, if a user's schedule changes, the assistant should be able to adjust the deadlines accordingly.
User-friendly interface:
The AI Chat assistant should be easy to use and navigate, with clear instructions and an intuitive design. Users should be able to access the assistant quickly and easily without navigating multiple screens or menus.
Responsiveness:
The AI Chat assistant should be responsive to user feedback and suggestions. Users should be able to provide feedback on the assistant's performance and suggest improvements or new features.
Accuracy and reliability:
The AI Chat assistant should be accurate and reliable in task breakdown and deadline setting. Users should be able to trust the assistant to provide helpful and actionable recommendations.
Personas
After conducting extensive research, I developed personas that would enable me to comprehend the target audience better. By skillfully incorporating various user groups, I crafted three unique user personas that effectively outlined their common behaviors, goals, and needs.
User Stories
After researching the competition and conducting interviews with the intended users, I began crafting user stories for the planner/task management app. I created the stories with consideration for the tasks that users will perform and their motivational factors. This approach was instrumental in helping me prioritize the app's features, ensuring the delivery of a product that meets the target audience's needs.
“As a user looking for efficiency, I would like AI assistance for task breakdowns and setting deadlines to manage my tasks more effectively.”
“As a teacher, I would like a feature to assign priority levels or importance to different tasks, so I can better manage my workload and decide on what needs my attention first.”
“As an organized student, I want to be able to jot down tasks and notes by hand digitally so that I can remember better while maintaining the tactile experience of writing by hand.”
“As an organized student, I want a distraction-free mode on my digital planner to focus on my tasks without being interrupted by notifications.”
“As an organized student, I want the ability to visually track my progress toward my goals and projects, so I can see how far I came and what's left to do.”
“As a freelancer managing my time, I want the ability to set specific work hours in the app to ensure I can maintain a work-life balance.”
Information Architecture
User Flows
I crafted five user flows to ensure smooth navigation for users in completing high-priority tasks identified in my user stories. This gave me a thorough understanding of the overarching visual hierarchy and the harmonious interconnectedness of the various elements in the design.
Site Map
After comprehending the user flows, I made a site map to visualize the navigation structure and relationships between different application sections. This allowed me to ensure a logical and intuitive user journey throughout the experience.
Wireframes
Ideation
Sketches
During the design phase of developing a planner app, I made several sketches of different screens. I used the research I had collected as a reference. My main priority was to stay focused on the project's main objectives.
Digital Wireframes
After sketching the initial wireframes, I quickly converted them into digital versions with low fidelity to check if all the elements were in harmony. Then, I moved on to the mid-fidelity wireframes, concentrating on integrating the design and placements. I carefully examined the design details to ensure the functions were easily identifiable. This meticulous process has established a strong base for the upcoming phases of the design process.
Low - Fidelity
1st Initial Wireframes
Mid - Fidelity
2nd Developed Wireframes
Branding & Identity
Brand Identity
"PenMyPlan" is designed to offer users a seamless and empowering planning experience. It aims to provide a sense of control and mastery over time, enabling users to effortlessly break down their goals and tasks into manageable steps. The app seeks to evoke a feeling of clarity, focus, and accomplishment. It guides users through organizing their thoughts and plans, making them feel supported and responsible for their objectives. With features like distraction-free mode and AI-driven task breakdowns, "PenMyPlan" intends to provide users with a smooth and intuitive journey toward achieving their aspirations.
Brand Message
PenMyPlan strives to become a partner that fosters growth and accomplishment, guiding you toward a future of clarity and success.
Colors
Following thorough research and meticulous persona development, I have chosen the brand colors for "PenMyPlan" that flawlessly align with our objectives and strongly resonate with our target users. These colors are not only visually appealing but also immensely powerful, leaving a lasting impact.
Primary
Secondary
Aquamarine is a powerful secondary color that adds vibrancy and dynamism to Azure Blue. It demonstrates the app's ability to adapt to the diverse needs of users, just like the ocean's shades change in response to tides. Aquamarine symbolizes the app's versatility in assisting users across various tasks and projects. It promotes adaptability, enabling users to dive into their plans enthusiastically and confidently.
Azure Blue
represents the clarity and focus users require in their lives. Just as the azure skies guide us, PenMyPlan guides users in breaking down complex goals into achievable tasks. The color evokes a sense of calmness, organization, and tranquility, aligning perfectly with the app's mission to provide a clear and soothing efficient planning platform.
Brand Story
I created a brand name through a deliberate and ongoing process of brainstorming. The goal was to use straightforward and memorable language highlighting the app's purpose.
Brainstorming
To create a list of relevant keywords for the handwriting planner app, I created a mind map to brainstorm.
I aimed to find distinctive combinations that aptly capture the app's essence.
Wordplay and Fusion
During the brainstorming session, I selected "Pen" and "Plan" as the most important keywords. By trying out various combinations and word fusions, I came up with the name "PenMyPlan."
Logo Design Process
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As part of the project, I developed a detailed style guide to maintain a unified and harmonious visual appearance across all aspects of the project.
Visual Design
High-Fidelity Mockups
I integrated branding and identity elements into the low-fidelity digital wireframes to develop a clickable high-fidelity prototype. My primary objective was to create a highly interactive and intuitive interface for PenMyPlan that perfectly embodies its core values.
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
I conducted usability tests on a clickable, high-fidelity prototype. The objective was to pinpoint any usability issues that require attention and assess if the app caters to the users' requirements.
Usability Test Findings
Buttons suffered from low contrast, diminishing their visibility and distinctiveness.
Users encountered uncertainty in identifying the necessity to scroll down the page, leading to a lack of clarity and potential navigation difficulties.
The white button fills displayed excessive transparency, compromising the user's visibility and prominence.
The user also recommended enhancing the color contrast of the date sections for improved visibility and differentiation.
The dark-blue button fills displayed excessive transparency, reducing the white text's visibility.
Users experienced confusion regarding the necessity to scroll down within the interface.
Modifications
After conducting usability testing and user interviews, I made some modifications to enhance the buttons' contrast and the guidance on navigating the interface. I carefully considered the valuable suggestions and feedback from users during this process. Collecting and analyzing data improved the user experience and effectively met their requirements and expectations.
Before
After
I adjusted the button fill color to a light blue and increased the opacity to enhance the contrast.
I also revised the color of the date sections to a darker shade of blue, enhancing the contrast and addressing the visibility concern effectively.
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I increased the opacity of the button fill from 50% to 70% to enhance contrast and improve visibility.
I also increased the opacity of the search, create, and account button fills for better visibility.
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I added a scroll-down button to improve the user experience of clear guidance on navigating the interface.
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Conclusion
Final Design
The final design was refined with adjustments based on the valuable feedback we received.
Final
Prototype
PenMyPlan
Reflection
During this project, I learned a lot about UX/UI design and what goes into creating a successful digital product. One of the most important things I learned is how user surveys can help shape the design process. By talking to potential users, I better understood their preferences, pain points, and expectations. This was especially helpful for people with ADHD or ADD who need a distraction-free environment and AI assistance for goal management.
This experience showed me that putting users first is crucial for good design. It's not just about making something look nice but creating a solution that fits seamlessly into users' lives and makes tasks more manageable. User-centric design is an ongoing process that requires empathy, constant learning, and an open mind. The user survey experience taught me the importance of understanding user needs at every stage of the design process. I'll use this knowledge to create more meaningful and impactful digital experiences in the future.