Blend
Visualize your day to increase productivity,
block distractions, and make every moment count.
Task management tool with schedulers, trackers, and seamless focus session integrations to minimize distractions.
Project
Personal Project
End to end design
Oct-Dec 2023
Role
Product Designer
User Researcher
Tools
Figma
Adobe CC
Maze
Blend
Visualize your day to increase productivity,
block distractions, and make every moment count.
Visualize your day to increase productivity, block distractions, and make every moment count.
Visualized time management tool with daily priority list and focus session to set intentional discipline for people from chaos of distractions.
Project
Personal Project
End to end design
Oct-Dec 2023
Role
Product Designer
User Researcher
Tools
Figma
Adobe CC
Maze
Background:
Chaos of juggling never-ending tasks has become normalized with no digital boundaries.
Chaos of juggling never-ending tasks has become normalized with no digital boundaries.
Issue:
Technology & digital devices used to boost productivity, helped us stay on track.
We rely on these devices for virtually everything. Now we are bombarded with more frequent & less important informations that distracts ours focus throught the day.
People wish they had more hours in a day
but managing time is harder than it looks.
People wish
they had more hours in a day.
12+ interviewees shared their on going battle balancing work and personal life for years.
12+ interviewees shared their on going battle balancing work and personal life for years.
12+ interviewees shared their on going battle balancing work and personal life for years.
Project Goal
To discover and re-claim control of
our time by building time habits
that makes sense for each individuals.
To discover and re-claim control of our time by building time habits
that makes sense for each individuals.
Step into a world where productivity
isn't just about getting things done.
Reclaim your focus, achieve goals.
Live in the present moment with blend
Connect & switch
between work or personal
No need to juggle multiple tools for your personal and work stuff.
Simply integrate with your calendar and social account and control of how you can navigate between personal & work.
Never miss a beat with scheduling
Planner made with visual ques.
Import or create new events,
stay on top of commitments —
Visualize
your 24 hrs
Stay ahead by always knowing what your day is going to look like
Elevate time optimization with insightful visual planner.
Stay ahead by always knowing what your day is going to look like.
Elevate time optimization with insightful visual planner.
Align your time towards to your efficiency.
Having overview of your day, weeks, months elevates your self-awareness to identify patterns.
Make informed decisions to schedule to enhance productivity and your fullfillment.
Make decision to
stay present
Focus is a matter of deciding what things you’re NOT going to do.
Focus Session temporarily disables certain apps & contacts for set scheduled time so you can
spend better quality time with family & friends or work.
Smart Notes
Save time and storage by separating personal and work notes for better organization.
Utilize folders in cloud allows users to keep notes organized wheather it's a picture notes taken with the camera or voice recordings.
From here,
It's Design Process
Research
Research
Societal pressures are amplified stronger through technology & media.
People are expected to do more and more to optimize our productivity and maintain unsustainable lifestyles.
What's on the market?
Though the market for productivity apps has grown substantially in recent years, none consider the holistic approach that Blend strives to provide. From manual "do not disturb" features to surface-level "standby" interfaces,
Tech Driven
LifestyleThe proliferation of smartphones, wearable devices, and smart technology has created a hyper-connected environment.
Incorporating tech into our daily lifestyle provide great benefits of convenience and information's.
on the other side, Individuals are bombarded with information from multiple digital sources, leading to reduced focus and productivity.
Blurred Work-Life Integration
As remote and hybrid work models become more common, this shift has blurred boundaries between work and personal life - especially for those who share their home space as their work space.
People need a solution for balanced boundaries, preventing burnout and enhancing productivity during their work.
Current Influences
Trend Research
Tech Driven
LifestyleThe proliferation of smartphones, wearable devices, and smart technology has created a hyper-connected environment.
Incorporating tech into our daily lifestyle provide great benefits of convenience and information's.
on the other side, Individuals are bombarded with information from multiple digital sources, leading to reduced focus and productivity.
Blurred Work-Life Integration
As remote and hybrid work models become more common, this shift has blurred boundaries between work and personal life - especially for those who share their home space as their work space.
People need a solution for balanced boundaries, preventing burnout and enhancing productivity during their work.
Current Influences
Trend Research
Tech Driven
LifestyleThe proliferation of smartphones, wearable devices, and smart technology has created a hyper-connected environment.
Incorporating tech into our daily lifestyle provide great benefits of convenience and information's.
on the other side, Individuals are bombarded with information from multiple digital sources, leading to reduced focus and productivity.
Blurred Work-Life Integration
As remote and hybrid work models become more common, this shift has blurred boundaries between work and personal life - especially for those who share their home space as their work space.
People need a solution for balanced boundaries, preventing burnout and enhancing productivity during their work.
Current Influences
Trend Research
Tech Driven
LifestyleThe proliferation of smartphones, wearable devices, and smart technology has created a hyper-connected environment.
Incorporating tech into our daily lifestyle provide great benefits of convenience and information's.
on the other side, Individuals are bombarded with information from multiple digital sources, leading to reduced focus and productivity.
Blurred Work-Life Integration
As remote and hybrid work models become more common, this shift has blurred boundaries between work and personal life - especially for those who share their home space as their work space.
People need a solution for balanced boundaries, preventing burnout and enhancing productivity during their work.
Current Influences
Trend Research
Talking to people
What would you ask Mary Poppins for help on in your personal or professional life?
(Aside from house chores…)
What would you ask Mary Poppins for help on in your personal or professional life?
(Aside from house chores…)
or take on their responsibilities.
This was a light-hearted question I asked during my interviews that helped me understand my users at a deeper level.
● People weren't simply looking for someone else to do their job or take on their responsibilities. Owning these actually provided a sense of purpose, accomplishment & control over their lives.
● All interviewees expressed a strong desire for help getting organized and creating an effective system to accomplish their personal & professional goals.
However, lack of guidance & inability to prioritize tasks also led to users feeling like "failures" and sharply decreased motivation.
This was a light-hearted question I asked during my interviews that helped me understand my users at a deeper level.
● People weren't simply looking for someone else to do their job or take on their responsibilities. Owning these actually provided a sense of purpose, accomplishment & control over their lives.
● All interviewees expressed a strong desire for help getting organized and creating an effective system to accomplish their personal & professional goals.
However, lack of guidance & inability to prioritize tasks also led to users feeling like "failures" and sharply decreased motivation.
Insights from interview
12 interviewees shared their main challenges, desire and feelings sharing challenges spanning years to address & overcome distractions which actively prevent people from achieving their goals.
Main Challenges
Challenges
● Multi-tasking & digital distractions were the most common challenge in time / task management.
●Juggling work, personal relationship and self care were mostly blurred wihout boundaries
● "Do not disturb' mode seems helpful but people end up turning this feature off as it's easy to do so.
● Multi-tasking & digital distractions were the most common challenge in time / task management.
●Juggling work, personal relationship and self care were mostly blurred wihout boundaries
● "Do not disturb' mode seems helpful but people end up turning this feature off as it's easy to do so.
Desires
● People wants help planning schedules and organizing tasks to get things done more effectively
● People shared their life would feel more satisfying if they could catch up on responsibilities, relationship, self-learning, and hobbies since these are perennially deprioritized day-to-day.
Feelings
● Primary feeling people described during interview were "guilt, overwhelmed, unmotivated and stuck" of time being wasted without being productive.
● Key contributors to these feelings were the inability to articulate clear goals, long lists of tasks, and time blindness
● Primary feeling people described during interview were "guilt, overwhelmed, unmotivated and stuck" of time being wasted without being productive.
● Key contributors to these feelings were the inability to articulate clear goals, long lists of tasks, and time blindness
Time Management
vs. Productivity
These two key works came up repeatedly in my research as we have been taught that time management is the key to productivity.
We make long lists & try getting as much done but why doesnt seems to work?
We've forgotten that our BRAIN and BODY feels different- which leads to loop of procrastination and decrease productivity.
These two key works came up repeatedly in my research as we have been taught that time management is the key to productivity.
We make long lists & try getting as much done but why doesnt seems to work?
We've forgotten that our
BRAIN and BODY feels different-
which leads to loop of procrastination and decrease productivity.
Ideas from popular
time management tools
Goals setting from
"One Thing"Until I’m done with my ONE Thing, nothing else matters…
"...at any moment in time there can be only ONE Thing, and when that ONE Thing is in line with your purpose and sits atop your priorities, it will be the most productive thing you can do to launch you toward the best you can be. Actions build on action. Habits build on habit. Success builds on success.”
According to the authors of best-selling self-help book "The ONE Thing," people who write their goals down are 39.5% more likely to succeed.Habit Loop from
"Atomic Habit"Every habit follows a predictable four-step process
To create a good habit1. Cue - Make it obvious.
Craving - Make it attractive.
Response - Make it easy.
Reward - Make it satisfying
To create a good habit1.Cue - Make it invisible.
2.Craving - Make it unattractive.
3.Response - Make it difficult.
4.Reward - Make it unsatisfying.
Goals setting from
"One Thing"Until I’m done with my ONE Thing, nothing else matters…
"...at any moment in time there can be only ONE Thing, and when that ONE Thing is in line with your purpose and sits atop your priorities, it will be the most productive thing you can do to launch you toward the best you can be. Actions build on action. Habits build on habit. Success builds on success.”
According to the authors of best-selling self-help book "The ONE Thing," people who write their goals down are 39.5% more likely to succeed.Habit Loop from
"Atomic Habit"Every habit follows a predictable four-step process
To create a good habit1. Cue - Make it obvious.
Craving - Make it attractive.
Response - Make it easy.
Reward - Make it satisfying
To create a good habit1.Cue - Make it invisible.
2.Craving - Make it unattractive.
3.Response - Make it difficult.
4.Reward - Make it unsatisfying.Goals setting from
"One Thing"Until I’m done with my ONE Thing, nothing else matters…
"...at any moment in time there can be only ONE Thing, and when that ONE Thing is in line with your purpose and sits atop your priorities, it will be the most productive thing you can do to launch you toward the best you can be. Actions build on action. Habits build on habit. Success builds on success.”
According to the authors of best-selling self-help book "The ONE Thing," people who write their goals down are 39.5% more likely to succeed.Habit Loop from
"Atomic Habit"Every habit follows a predictable four-step process
To create a good habit1. Cue - Make it obvious.
Craving - Make it attractive.
Response - Make it easy.
Reward - Make it satisfying
To create a good habit1.Cue - Make it invisible.
2.Craving - Make it unattractive.
3.Response - Make it difficult.
4.Reward - Make it unsatisfying.Goals setting from
"One Thing"Until I’m done with my ONE Thing, nothing else matters…
"...at any moment in time there can be only ONE Thing, and when that ONE Thing is in line with your purpose and sits atop your priorities, it will be the most productive thing you can do to launch you toward the best you can be. Actions build on action. Habits build on habit. Success builds on success.”
According to the authors of best-selling self-help book "The ONE Thing," people who write their goals down are 39.5% more likely to succeed.Habit Loop from
"Atomic Habit"Every habit follows a predictable four-step process
To create a good habit1. Cue - Make it obvious.
Craving - Make it attractive.
Response - Make it easy.
Reward - Make it satisfying
To create a good habit1.Cue - Make it invisible.
2.Craving - Make it unattractive.
3.Response - Make it difficult.
4.Reward - Make it unsatisfying.
Design Implication
Setting key priorities and establishing a consistent, productive environment are critical to empowering users with a sense of focus, purpose, and accomplishment.
Through "what if" exercises, I identified users' primary objectives, including organizing their weekly schedules, creating a prioritized list of daily tasks, and seamlessly blocking distractions to reclaim their time & embrace focus on the present whether working or spending personal quality time.
Setting key priorities and establishing a consistent, productive environment are critical to empowering users with a sense of focus, purpose, and accomplishment.
Through "what if" exercises, I identified users' primary objectives, including organizing their weekly schedules, creating a prioritized list of daily tasks, and seamlessly blocking distractions to reclaim their time & embrace focus on the present whether working or spending personal quality time.
Intentional Boundaries
● Setting digital boundaries with smartphone, particularly apps & contacts for a set time or based on schedule can increase user's focus.
● Possibly leveraging APIs (like Apple's "Screen Time API") can restrict apps & contacts automatically based on user's location & help create a seamless experience between home, work & social life.
3 Daily Prioritization
Daily
Prioritization list
● Helping user setting manageable
3 top priorities for each day can help user be clear on their goals and motivate to accomplish.
● Adding check box feature for daily prioritized tasks could help users stay motivated and reduce time blindness which could lead to builds mindful time management habits.
24 Hours Visualization
● Providing visualized 24 hour scheduler can help users to analyze how they're spending their time through intuitive, real-time schedule.
● This data can also provide users with insights that help create opportunities for mindful rest points, identify persistent distractors, and celebrate continuous improvement & growth.
Design Process
To manage smartphone habits and time effectively, design process began with simple goal to organize day to day productivity to achieve sense of control and accomplishment for users.
To manage smartphone habits and time effectively, design process began with simple goal to organize day to day productivity to achieve sense of control and accomplishment for users.
Focusing on….
Creating visually curated dashboards to develop habit-forming cues for users to improve on daily priotized tasks, along with 24 hour visual scheduler.
Then improving on existing scheduling planners with integration across work & personal life apps, and providing focus sessions to set intentional boundaries to distractions.
Mood Board Friendly | Calm | Warm | Human
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
Outcomes
The concept of blend resonated with potential users, they enjoyed visuals and appreciated the emphasis on details in focus session and the intuitive 24 hour planning experience that would enhance their productivity.
Feedback from usability testing indicate strong preference of seamless integration in conencting their current mails, planners all in one place to optimize the app.
Design process for this particular project underscored the importance of visual ques, and design while remaining flexible and responsive to people's feedback.
The concept of blend resonated with potential users, they enjoyed visuals and appreciated the emphasis on details in focus session and the intuitive 24 hour planning experience that would enhance their productivity.
Feedback from usability testing indicate strong preference of seamless integration in conencting their current mails, planners all in one place to optimize the app.
Design process for this particular project underscored the importance of visual ques, and design while remaining flexible and responsive to people's feedback.
Issue:
Technology & digital devices used to boost productivity and help us stay on track.
But now we are bombarded everyday with more frequent & less important notifications that actually distract us from being fully present & focused in the moment.
We are rely on these devices for virtually everything. But without mindfulness and focus, we ironically become less productive.
Backgound:
Listening to stories from professionals on balancing work and personal life, it was surprising to hear how normalized the chaos of juggling never-ending tasks has become in today's world with no tech boundaries.
Endless competing priorities & smartphone distractions actively prevent people from navigating their goals.
Visualize 24
hours in a day
Preparation is half the battle-Elevate time optimization with insightful visual planner.
Stay ahead by always knowing what your day is going to look like.
Conncect your emails, planner and switch between work or personal
Effortless integration with popular apps & social accounts gives you customized control of how you navigate between personal & work.
Never miss a beat with our intuitive calendar scheduling feature
Effortlessly plan and organize your events, ensuring you stay on top of your commitments —
both personal & professional.
Align your time towards to your desire.
Having overview of your day, weeks, months elevates your self-awareness to identify patterns.
Make informed decisions to schedule to enhance productivity and your fullfillment.
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Smart Notes
Save time and storage by separating personal and work notes for better organization.
Utilize folders in cloud allows users to keep notes organized wheather it's a picture notes taken with the camera or voice recordings.
Make decision to
stay present
Focus is a matter of deciding what things you’re NOT going
to do.
Focus Session temporarily disables certain apps & contacts for set scheduled time so you can spend better quality time with family & friends or work.
Introducing Blend
Redefine your productivity and concentration to make every moment count in the midst of life's never-ending demands.
Project Goal