Booster
2020 / RESEARCH / APP DESIGNAs part of my second-year coursework at Norwich University of the Arts I tackled an open brief, asking to provide a digital solution that addresses common problems faced by university students. In my research I found that many students struggle with balancing self-directed work and recovery time. They tend to either work too little and struggle to stay on track or work too hard and burn themselves out.
AI and Individual Experiences
My approach to tackle this problem leans on project management techniques combined with machine learning to approximate individual users’ habits. In a project-based card system, students add tasks they are set on their course, work hours, break times and more. When they wake up, the app presents them with a list of tasks sorted by urgency, which is inferred from due date and approximate scope of work. With time, the app will learn how users estimate their workload and how long they really take to complete it. This will help them plan their time more accurately and enable them to plan their work with more confidence.
Visual Design
The visual design leans on the app’s notification in the morning that wakes the user like the call of a rooster. It is meant to boost their productivity by making it easy to plan their day and get on with their work. The colours are inspired by space travel, with the accent orange hinting at NASA space suits. Cards afford recognition of individual elements that can be manipulated, and tags are signified by both colours and icons, to improve accessibility for the colour-blind.
Reflection
This project gave me the opportunity to work through the double-diamond method from beginning to end. I gained insights into the process aided by regular feedback and constructive criticism from my tutors and peers, who helped me hone my craft.