TASKULPTOR

A student-centric task management solution that emphasizes personalization and the satisfaction of task completion

Role
Product Designer

Timeline
Nov 2023

Course
Ideation and Prototyping

Tools/Skills
Figma, User Research, Prototyping, UI/UX Design

SUMMARY

As a student, I recognized that maintaining organization is crucial for staying on top of daily tasks and schoolwork. However, existing task management apps often fall short in providing a personalized and satisfying user experience. To address these challenges, I embarked on developing Taskulptor, a time management app focused on personalization and enhancing the satisfaction of task completion. Through comprehensive research, ideation, prototyping, and user testing, I aimed to create a solution tailored to students' unique needs and preferences.

PROBLEM

Students Struggle with Existing Task Management Solutions
Many students rely on basic note-taking apps or generic task managers that lack personalization and fail to make task completion rewarding. These apps often don't integrate organizational features or prioritize tasks effectively, leading to decreased motivation and productivity. Ultimately, this affects students’ long-term academic success and personal well-being.

How might we design a task management app that offers personalization and makes task completion a satisfying experience for students?

UNDERSTANDING USERS

User Research

To understand the needs and preferences of students, I conducted interviews with two fellow students about their task management habits:

Preferred Tools: Both students used the Apple Notes app for its simplicity and quick note-taking capabilities.
Satisfaction in Task Completion: They enjoyed the simple act of checking off tasks and found it satisfying.
Pain Points: They desired better integration of organizational features, process tracking, and prioritization of tasks.

Key Insights
The user research revealed that students highly value simplicity and efficiency in their task management apps—they prefer tools that are quick and easy to use. They also find satisfaction in the act of completing tasks, which should feel rewarding to enhance motivation. Additionally, there's a strong desire for better organizational features that help them prioritize and manage tasks more effectively. These insights underscored the need for a personalized and satisfying task management solution, guiding me into the ideation phase to address these specific user needs.

IDEATION

Crafting the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Based on the user research, I identified the core functionalities for the MVP:

Task Creation and Tracking: Allow users to easily add and monitor tasks.
Personalization: Enable customization to cater to individual preferences.
Rewarding Completion: Enhance the satisfaction derived from completing tasks.

Developing the User Flow

I developed a flowchart to map out the main actions driving the user experience, focusing on three primary pages:

Home Hub: Displays tasks due on different days and weeks, including a prioritized tasks category.
Course Library: Categorizes tasks by different courses, facilitating semester-long scheduling and organization.
Settings Hub: Controls personalization options to meet users' needs for effective task management.

SKETCH PROTOTYPING

Low-Fidelity Sketches

I began with paper sketches to conceptualize a simple and user-friendly layout:

Add Task Button: Placed prominently at the top of the Home Hub for immediate access.

Task Display: Listed tasks with checkboxes for easy completion.

Navigation: Simplified menu to navigate between Home, Course Library, and Settings.

High-Fidelity Sketches
I refined the sketches to include:

Pop-Up Features: Implemented for adding new tasks and accessing task details.

Content Display: Enhanced the organization of tasks and categories for better readability.

FIGMA PROTOTYPING

First Digital Iteration

Transitioning to Figma, I created a basic digital version of the prototype. However, as a newcomer to the software, I initially copied and pasted elements, which was time-consuming, inefficient, and challenging. Once I got comfortable, I soon realized the importance of using components to create a design system for consistency and efficiency!

Second Digital Iteration

I reimagined the application with a fresh look.

Introduction of Color: Added to enhance visual appeal and user engagement.

Grid Layout for Tasks: Shifted from a basic checklist to individual task squares on a grid, making task completion more interactive.

Enhanced Satisfaction: Completing a task transformed the entire task square, providing a more rewarding experience.

USER TESTING AND REFINEMENT
Gathering Insights

I tested the prototype with several students, observing their interactions and noting any challenges they faced. Users appreciated the visual appeal and the satisfying experience of completing tasks, however, some also found the horizontal grid layout overwhelming and preferred a more straightforward alignment.

Third Digital Iteration

Based on user feedback, I made the following refinements:

Grid Layout Adjustment: Changed the task grid from horizontal to vertical alignment to reduce cognitive overload.
Simplified Tutorial: Streamlined a tutorial page for first-time users when accessing the application to get familiar with features and navigation.
Ellipsis Menu Implementation: Replaced the press-and-hold task detail view with an ellipsis menu offering options to view, edit, and delete tasks, providing a more intuitive experience.

Additional Links

Figma Prototype

Walkthrough Video

Journey Presentation

WHAT’S NEXT

Further User Testing: Plan to conduct more extensive testing with a larger group of students to gather additional feedback.
Feature Expansion: Explore integrating AI into calendar sync, reminders, and collaborative features.
Visual Enhancements: Consider adding themes and color customization for greater personalization.
Development: Move towards developing a working application using appropriate programming languages and frameworks.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Developing Taskulptor was a rewarding experience that allowed me to address a common problem faced by students. By focusing on personalization and the satisfaction of task completion, I created a tool that not only helps users stay organized but also makes the process enjoyable. This project reinforced the importance of user-centric design and adaptability in creating effective solutions.

Lessons Learned

User-Centric Design is Crucial: Keeping the user's needs at the forefront led to a more effective and engaging app.
Importance of Iteration: Multiple iterations based on user feedback significantly improved the app's usability.
Efficiency in Design Tools: Mastering tools like Figma's components and variants is essential for consistency and productivity.
Adaptability: Being flexible in design decisions allowed me to overcome technical limitations and improve the user experience.

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MARCUS ROUQUET