A personal Calendar Assistant to Help Busy Individuals Live a More Balanced Life
A personal Calendar Assistant to Help Busy Individuals Live a More Balanced Life
A personal Calendar Assistant to Help Busy Individuals Live a More Balanced Life
Purpose:
Exercise focusing on mobile UI/UX Design
Date and Duration:
February 2021, 4 weeks
Platforms:
Mobile
Team:
UX/UI Designer
My Role:
Research, Branding, UI/UX Design, Prototyping, User Testing, Data Analysis, Content Writer
LiWo is a design exercise - a calendar app intended to restore balance between life and work. A fictional app backed by true user research and testing data. It is designed to help busy individuals lead more harmonious lives through assistive task prioritization.
Purpose:
Exercise focusing on mobile UI/UX Design
Date and Duration:
February 2021, 4 weeks
Platforms:
Mobile
Team:
UX/UI Designer
My Role:
Research, Branding, UI/UX Design, Prototyping, User Testing, Data Analysis, Content Writer
LiWo is a design exercise - a calendar app intended to restore balance between life and work. A fictional app backed by true user research and testing data. It is designed to help busy individuals lead more harmonious lives through assistive task prioritization.
Purpose:
Exercise focusing on mobile UI/UX Design
Date and Duration:
February 2021, 4 weeks
Platforms:
Mobile
Team:
UX/UI Designer
My Role:
Research, Branding, UI/UX Design, Prototyping, User Testing, Data Analysis, Content Writer
LiWo is a design exercise - a calendar app intended to restore balance between life and work. A fictional app backed by true user research and testing data. It is designed to help busy individuals lead more harmonious lives through assistive task prioritization.
Defining the Problem
If you’re a busy individual, most likely responsibilities and chores get prioritized above all other tasks. This is where LiWo comes into play. Through event prioritization we tell LiWo which wellness tasks matter to us but are a struggle to stay on top of. Once LiWo recognizes that we’re falling behind on one of these tasks it will remind us and help suggest available times to schedule the event.
Defining the Problem
If you’re a busy individual, most likely responsibilities and chores get prioritized above all other tasks. This is where LiWo comes into play. Through event prioritization we tell LiWo which wellness tasks matter to us but are a struggle to stay on top of. Once LiWo recognizes that we’re falling behind on one of these tasks it will remind us and help suggest available times to schedule the event.
Constraints and Opportunities
Designing an app aimed at busy parents and professionals brings along some logistical hurdles when it comes to user interviews. On one hand the participants were able to join via their laptops or phones from the comfort of their own home at a time that best suited them. On the other hand the interactions can feel a bit impersonal.
Constraints and Opportunities
Designing an app aimed at busy parents and professionals brings along some logistical hurdles when it comes to user interviews. On one hand the participants were able to join via their laptops or phones from the comfort of their own home at a time that best suited them. On the other hand the interactions can feel a bit impersonal.
Constraints and Opportunities
Designing an app aimed at busy parents and professionals brings along some logistical hurdles when it comes to user interviews. On one hand the participants were able to join via their laptops or phones from the comfort of their own home at a time that best suited them. On the other hand the interactions can feel a bit impersonal.
Role and Responsibility
Clarifying the Problem
Is it a problem worth solving? Has anyone had a crack at it already? If so, how succesful were they? Are there any hidden opportunities?
Defining the Dilemma
How could I help busy individuals bring balance to their lives and get them back to those important but neglected tasks?
Role and Responsibility
Clarifying the Problem
Is it a problem worth solving? Has anyone had a crack at it already? If so, how succesful were they? Are there any hidden opportunities?
Defining the Dilemma
How could I help busy individuals bring balance to their lives and get them back to those important but neglected tasks?
Role and Responsibility
Clarifying the Problem
Is it a problem worth solving? Has anyone had a crack at it already? If so, how succesful were they? Are there any hidden opportunities?
Defining the Dilemma
How could I help busy individuals bring balance to their lives and get them back to those important but neglected tasks?
Secondary Research
I had to determine if my general theory was correct so I started digging through news articles and research publications. I focused on topics dealing with time management and work-life balance. Once my speculation showed promise I moved onto competitor research.
Secondary Research
I had to determine if my general theory was correct so I started digging through news articles and research publications. I focused on topics dealing with time management and work-life balance. Once my speculation showed promise I moved onto competitor research.
Role and Responsibility
“70% of respondents rely on a digital calendar most to manage their life.”
“47% rely most on their smartphone calendar.”
“23% rely on a desktop calendar.”
Role and Responsibility
“70% of respondents rely on a digital calendar most to manage their life.”
“47% rely most on their smartphone calendar.”
“23% rely on a desktop calendar.”
Role and Responsibility
“70% of respondents rely on a digital calendar most to manage their life.”
“47% rely most on their smartphone calendar.”
“23% rely on a desktop calendar.”
Competitive Analysis
By surveying the internet and app stores I was able to find my closest competition. Comparing their offerings and limitations helped refine the list further until I narrowed it down to two groups; 1. Lightweight mobile apps, and 2. AI based heavyweights Apple and Google. Lightweight apps, although less effective and needing more input from the user to function are quicker to setup. Meanwhile Google and Apple are more powerful but rely on intrusive AI and hoovering up personal data to be used during algorithm crunching.
Competitive Analysis
By surveying the internet and app stores I was able to find my closest competition. Comparing their offerings and limitations helped refine the list further until I narrowed it down to two groups; 1. Lightweight mobile apps, and 2. AI based heavyweights Apple and Google. Lightweight apps, although less effective and needing more input from the user to function are quicker to setup. Meanwhile Google and Apple are more powerful but rely on intrusive AI and hoovering up personal data to be used during algorithm crunching.
Third party apps such as ATracker, Boosted and Cozi share some of the features of LiWo. They can set reminders, keep users focused on tasks and also have basic calendar capability all in a light-weight package. They require more user input which in turn reduces their efficacy but they have a lower entry fee.
AI based apps by tech giants Apple and Google have greater capability and work faster with less input. However the entry bar is higher since they require essentially limitless access to user data and permissions.
Third party apps such as ATracker, Boosted and Cozi share some of the features of LiWo. They can set reminders, keep users focused on tasks and also have basic calendar capability all in a light-weight package. They require more user input which in turn reduces their efficacy but they have a lower entry fee.
AI based apps by tech giants Apple and Google have greater capability and work faster with less input. However the entry bar is higher since they require essentially limitless access to user data and permissions.
Third party apps such as ATracker, Boosted and Cozi share some of the features of LiWo. They can set reminders, keep users focused on tasks and also have basic calendar capability all in a light-weight package. They require more user input which in turn reduces their efficacy but they have a lower entry fee.
AI based apps by tech giants Apple and Google have greater capability and work faster with less input. However the entry bar is higher since they require essentially limitless access to user data and permissions.
Who Is the User
User interviews were conducted via video calls, using a 12 question survey. Sessions were kept to around 60 minutes in length. One interesting commonality amongst all interview sessions was just how quickly the conversations developed a life of their own. This often led us on tangents teeming with meaningful insights. User interviews were a great success. Let the data crunching begin!
Who Is the User
User interviews were conducted via video calls, using a 12 question survey. Sessions were kept to around 60 minutes in length. One interesting commonality amongst all interview sessions was just how quickly the conversations developed a life of their own. This often led us on tangents teeming with meaningful insights. User interviews were a great success. Let the data crunching begin!
Participants:
6 users 3 female, 3 male 50% are parents Ages 31 - 40 years old Located in Canada Hustling professionals leading busy lives
Participants:
6 users 3 female, 3 male 50% are parents Ages 31 - 40 years old Located in Canada Hustling professionals leading busy lives
Participants:
6 users 3 female, 3 male 50% are parents Ages 31 - 40 years old Located in Canada Hustling professionals leading busy lives
Insight
Conducting user interviews provided a breadth of valuable data. I set my intentions on having an informal style of interviews to make my subject comfortable, as a result it helped them open up. It didn’t take long for the participants to start analyzing their own routines and behavior patterns. What slowed them down and what completely derailed their busy days. Coincidentally we had created impromptu thinktanks. Participants were practically testing new ideas and theories right in the interview! It was remarkable to experience and be part of.
Insight
Conducting user interviews provided a breadth of valuable data. I set my intentions on having an informal style of interviews to make my subject comfortable, as a result it helped them open up. It didn’t take long for the participants to start analyzing their own routines and behavior patterns. What slowed them down and what completely derailed their busy days. Coincidentally we had created impromptu thinktanks. Participants were practically testing new ideas and theories right in the interview! It was remarkable to experience and be part of.
Insight
Conducting user interviews provided a breadth of valuable data. I set my intentions on having an informal style of interviews to make my subject comfortable, as a result it helped them open up. It didn’t take long for the participants to start analyzing their own routines and behavior patterns. What slowed them down and what completely derailed their busy days. Coincidentally we had created impromptu thinktanks. Participants were practically testing new ideas and theories right in the interview! It was remarkable to experience and be part of.
Personas
Personas
Insight
Reviewing the results from secondary research and the newly developed personas I realized I had to redefine the primary feature of LiWo. It was evident that the target demographic often struggled to nurture or retain some of the most important affairs in their lives. They would often neglect exercise or family time just to catch up at work or finally tackle that DIY project. First they needed a convenient app that was snappy to use. Second, a friendly nudge to help keep them on track.
Insight
Reviewing the results from secondary research and the newly developed personas I realized I had to redefine the primary feature of LiWo. It was evident that the target demographic often struggled to nurture or retain some of the most important affairs in their lives. They would often neglect exercise or family time just to catch up at work or finally tackle that DIY project. First they needed a convenient app that was snappy to use. Second, a friendly nudge to help keep them on track.
Insight
Reviewing the results from secondary research and the newly developed personas I realized I had to redefine the primary feature of LiWo. It was evident that the target demographic often struggled to nurture or retain some of the most important affairs in their lives. They would often neglect exercise or family time just to catch up at work or finally tackle that DIY project. First they needed a convenient app that was snappy to use. Second, a friendly nudge to help keep them on track.
Empathy Map
Empathy Map
Information Architecture
Key features of LiWo are time management and event prioritization. Our users would often reach for a notepad and pen to quickly jot down reminders as this was quicker than using their phone. Providing a simple and quick tool for scheduling events is paramount. By streamlining the task flow we get out of the way of the user and let them quickly enter an event.
Information Architecture
Key features of LiWo are time management and event prioritization. Our users would often reach for a notepad and pen to quickly jot down reminders as this was quicker than using their phone. Providing a simple and quick tool for scheduling events is paramount. By streamlining the task flow we get out of the way of the user and let them quickly enter an event.
Task Flow Sketches
Task Flow Sketches
User Flow
User Flow
Onboarding
To enhance user engagement I provided an onboarding process. User will be taught some basic but powerful functions to get them up and running. It’s a balancing act where I had to ensure the user gets enough information but it isn’t overwhelming or tedious to the point where the user checks out.
Onboarding
To enhance user engagement I provided an onboarding process. User will be taught some basic but powerful functions to get them up and running. It’s a balancing act where I had to ensure the user gets enough information but it isn’t overwhelming or tedious to the point where the user checks out.
Priority Feature
Another time saving feature in LiWo is the shortcut command for quickly adding a priority event. Typically a user would tap the ‘plus’ button to create a new event. This method provides the user with more options but does take up a bit more time. By performing a slightly longer tap of the ‘plus’ button the user brings up a prompt that lets them create a priority event in as little as two taps!
Priority Feature
Another time saving feature in LiWo is the shortcut command for quickly adding a priority event. Typically a user would tap the ‘plus’ button to create a new event. This method provides the user with more options but does take up a bit more time. By performing a slightly longer tap of the ‘plus’ button the user brings up a prompt that lets them create a priority event in as little as two taps!
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Going into this exercise I had an entirely different idea of what kind of an app I thought I had to build. I had grand plans and sophisticated functions and features that would impress users, however majority of those plans along with my assumptions were tossed out the window. Research quickly exposed the competitor landscape, while user interviews revealed some great insights into what users actually wanted. Being able to quickly pivot and adjust project requirements allowed me to reimagine and create a better and more functional tool.
What would be my next steps had this been more than just an exercise? A functioning prototype would be created for user testing to capture usability data and guide any necessary design iterations. I would have also liked to gather use analytics to build a more detailed picture of the evolution of the app’s design, especially as existing features are refined and new ones are added.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Going into this exercise I had an entirely different idea of what kind of an app I thought I had to build. I had grand plans and sophisticated functions and features that would impress users, however majority of those plans along with my assumptions were tossed out the window. Research quickly exposed the competitor landscape, while user interviews revealed some great insights into what users actually wanted. Being able to quickly pivot and adjust project requirements allowed me to reimagine and create a better and more functional tool.
What would be my next steps had this been more than just an exercise? A functioning prototype would be created for user testing to capture usability data and guide any necessary design iterations. I would have also liked to gather use analytics to build a more detailed picture of the evolution of the app’s design, especially as existing features are refined and new ones are added.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Going into this exercise I had an entirely different idea of what kind of an app I thought I had to build. I had grand plans and sophisticated functions and features that would impress users, however majority of those plans along with my assumptions were tossed out the window. Research quickly exposed the competitor landscape, while user interviews revealed some great insights into what users actually wanted. Being able to quickly pivot and adjust project requirements allowed me to reimagine and create a better and more functional tool.
What would be my next steps had this been more than just an exercise? A functioning prototype would be created for user testing to capture usability data and guide any necessary design iterations. I would have also liked to gather use analytics to build a more detailed picture of the evolution of the app’s design, especially as existing features are refined and new ones are added.