Full Design Process
Full Design Process
Primary and secondary reasearch guide my design decisions by evaluating user needs and current market gaps
Evaluating the two primary existing competitors: Calm and Timely
Primary and secondary reasearch guide my design decisions by evaluating user needs and current market gaps
Defining the user experience and ideating on a solution
The Problem
Facilitate
seamless mental transitions
between work and relaxation for individuals who work alone.
Remote workers, freelancers, and students who work alone struggle with accountability, focus, and the ability to mentally "switch off" at the end of the day. Without physical boundaries between work and personal life, productivity suffers and burnout increases.
Research
What I discovered.
Through interviews and surveys, I uncovered key pain points around focus, transitions, and work-life boundaries.
75%
struggle with switching between workspaces
50%
can't mentally "turn off" after work
50%
struggle to get into "focus mode"
Literature Review
The science behind focus and recovery.
Cognitive Flow
Interruptions break focus and require a "re-entry" period to regain deep concentration.
Fatigue & Recovery
Sustained attention depletes cognitive resources, requiring recovery time.
Tactile Response
Touch stimulates the vagus nerve and slows the body's stress response.
System Design
A connected ecosystem.
Focus Assistant
•
Visual timer color indicates pomodoro cycle
•
Tap phone to block apps during work without bypass
•
Silent soundwave sequence for end-of-day ritual
Companion App
•
•
Recommendations for unwinding and focus rituals
•
Journal and guided breathing exercises
•
In-app calendar and pomodoro settings
Integrations
•
Sync with Oura Ring or Apple Watch for biometrics
•
Connect with Notion, Google Calendar
Physical Product
The Focus Assistant.
A desk companion that uses light and haptic feedback to guide focus sessions and signal transitions. The detachable top delivers calming soundwaves when held in your palm.
Scenario 01
Accountability Triggers
Daisy signs up, connects her device, and sets which apps to block during work. She taps her phone to the device to start a session—distractions blocked, focus activated.
Scenario 02
Intentional Shutdown Ritual
Scenario 03
Adaptive Mental Zoning
Carnation connects her Oura Ring and enables adaptive pomodoro. The system adjusts focus and break intervals based on her real-time biometrics and provides insights to optimize her workflow.
