Sniffer
Restaurant Finder
Redefining dining experiences
Information can help us understand the world and reveal the hidden connections, patterns, and stories underneath. The challenge was to explore a world issue uncovered by one of the data visualizations selected from the site http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/ and design a solution based on the effective synthesis of research findings for concept development.
Most tech-related companies are involved in a race to get the user's attention. The people’s willpower often loses to the that of the designers and engineers who strive to keep their users engaged with their product or services.
The data chart by author David McCandless definitely is an eyeopener to understand how much technology (designed to improve the quality of life) controls our daily routine to the extent that it has started to negatively influence our minds, emotions and behavior without our knowledge and consent.
The solution is definitely not to ignore or remove technology out of our lives !
The goal of the project thus, was not to go deep about the tech-induced disorders laid out in the data chart but to define the problem, identify its root cause & explore methods to improve how technology can serve us better and not the other way round.
Moment and the organization Time Well Spent are trying to bring attention to how tech companies are designing their apps to capture as much of the user’s attention as possible. User goals with using these apps are not the same as their business goals.
Recurring Emotions and Interface patterns that keep users hooked, most of which provide less or no escape
Though a lot of solutions come to mind, I wanted to understand user perceptions and needs first.
Russ, 24
Single
lives with Roommates
“Is there a way to optimize my screen time and be able to steer way from it when necessary. Its seems so surreal to even say that!”
Megan, 29
Married
runs a mom and pop store
““I would like technology to respect my timing and be aware of email frequency and duration of use, without feeling the need to check if something important is being missed.”
“There seems to be no direct pathway to get to the screen I want to ! Its often frustrating and gives me a headache”
Shoba, 42
Single parent
mother to a teen
“It is hard to disconnect from facebook & instagram especially when my son is itching with anxiety about the alerts, and concentrate on the task at hand.”
In retrospect these successful solutions seem to be very isolated and specific to certain needs. They tend to add to the already existing app overload on the home screen
How might we design an app that will empower users to manage distractions in order to stay focused and fresh to get more done.
A background app that helps users be conscious of their time spent, prioritize & focus when necessary without distractions, feel confident & energetic without having to give up on their favourites apps
User can set timeframes for daily tasks to be done to complete weekly goals
The background app locks all the unnecessary apps and snoozes notifications until the task time limit is reached.
The apps gives the right emotional boosts and achievement badges to help user complete task and feel confident.
Since its a background app the phone is locked until a certain time passes by before user can unlock or extend time.
The app can allows user to take browsing breaks for up to 7 minutes in regular intervals. These breaks are an incentive that the user can receive for a job well done and this further boosts confidence while limiting screen time.
Based on the persona and needs, the following project themes emerged and corresponding goals were determinded
Focus on a single task
Lock up distractions
Concentrate with white noise
Relax smartly with timed breaks
Inorder to determine the content and UI of the product, I began with simple conversations the user might have with the app, if it were a person. The supporting UI was determinded based on this key interaction flow
Home
Settings
In-session
Based on preliminary user testing conducted with the interviewees
The users are successful in scheduling a focus session.
The 5-minute breaks help Shoba's son not only concentrate on his studies but also stay connected & updated with social media
Megan is able to complete a presentation as all her breaks are snoozed
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