The Brief
Design and prototype a task management app that helps users keep track of tasks, manage to-do lists, plan days and block out focus periods.
The Solution
My response to this brief started as a way for me to design the app that I want to have in my hands - one that combines the most useful parts of different task management and focus apps with the flexibility and customisation of a paper planner and to-do list, and adds functionality that I haven’t been able to find in the apps I already use.
This project wasn't just about what I want, though - the whole process was also heavily guided by user research. I particularly wanted to focus on creating an app that was flexible, engaging and that could work well for disabled and chronically ill users whose to do lists might look very different than people who don’t have a disability or chronic condition. Capacity is individual and variable, and I wanted Task Garden to reflect that.
Over the course of this project, I developed Task Garden’s visual identity, a series of custom UI icons, and an extensive component library, as well as an interactive Figma prototype of the app.
Software
Figma
Illustrator
Illustrator
The Process
This project began with research. A lot of it.
Industry research, competitor research, user research, accessibility research. I looked at what other focus and task management apps are currently doing, identified current UX/UI trends and learnt more about designing apps with accessibility at the forefront. User research was one of the most important components of the process. I conducted an extensive survey to get important insights into areas like what features potential users most wanted wanted; what areas of their life they might use it in; which apps they already use and what they like or dislike about them; what they find motivating; what aesthetics and design styles they like; and which challenges they want an app like Task Garden to solve. I then created two user personas that summarised the key findings and most common responses.
Brainstorming written and visual ideas is one of my favourite parts of the design process - finding pathways through concepts and unexpected links between ideas can be absolutely magical. This was the case with the brainstorming process for Task Garden. I refined a few concepts before landing on the watering can as the perfect summary of the brand identity. Watering a garden can seem like a simple thing, but you really can't take a one size fits all approach. Some plants will soak up as much water as they can get, but it can be easy to overdo it with others. Just like each plant has individual needs, each person is measuring their capacity, progress and success on a different scale, which is a core principle behind Task Garden.
With the watering can reflecting Task Garden's individualised, care-focused foundation, I went on to develop a visual identity that was warm, grounded, welcoming and engaging.
With the visual identity established, I developed an extensive component system in Figma that included buttons, toggles, icon states, to do list items, dropdowns, time blocks and anything else needed to build the app prototype .
The Result
Due to time constraints and limitations on the project scope, the prototype was a very pared back version of the app I envisioned, but I'm excited to develop it further. Watch this space!