TODOIST
Todoist is a popular productivity application used by individuals and teams worldwide to manage tasks and projects. I took on a personal project to explored ways to improve Todoist with practical implementations.
Role
Sole Product Designer
Timeline
Apr 2023 - Jun 2023
Context
Personal Project
CHALLENGE
While Todoist excels in task management, users may find it challenging to manage projects. With Todoist incorporating Artificial Intelligence into their application, this opens an opportunity to improve the Project Management aspect of the application by incorporating useful features that allow users more efficiency and effectiveness
SOLUTION
The solution discovered for this problem was to focus on distinct attributes that direct the issue, such as dividing and breaking down extensive projects into individual tasks, accurately estimating task completion time, inspiring unique and exceptional projects, and enhancing overall efficiency.
PROCESS
01 RESEARCH
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
I analyzed and compared competitors to gain insights surrounding significant features and design patterns used to satisfy user needs.
USER INTERVIEWS
After understanding the competitors, I then outlined and conducted interviews with 5 adults who varied in age, gender, and were avid users of productivity tools to gauge what users expected, wanted, and needed.
The questions presented to participants were not only for the objective of understanding current productivity tools used and users experiences with them, but were also chosen to develop an understanding of similar and contrasting features as well as their underline effects on the experiences users have to ensure the direction of improving and expanding Todoist's AI features would resolve the challenge. Many of the questions were general to give freedom to the user to genuinely express their current standing with AI, productivity tools, and project management. This was a test before the test.
KEY INSIGHTS
From synthesizing the research, I distilled 6 key insights that would propel the design, architecture and functionality of the features based on a thorough analysis of user needs and preferences.
02 IDEATION
FRAMING THE CHALLENGE
To strengthen the project's focus, I transformed the findings from my research into "How Might We" questions, which were crafted to address user needs and goals. This methodology allowed me to extract key patterns and understand the challenges from the users' perspective. Consequently, I employed brainstorming techniques to develop solutions that placed the users at the center, resulting in human-centric approaches.
USER PERSONAS
Creating User Personas played a key role in deeply understanding the target users and their needs. I aimed to empathize with their experiences and design a solution tailored specifically to their unique characteristics, goals, and pain points.
FLOWS
User and task flows were developed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the user journey and task completion within the application while ensuring seamless integration with the existing features and flow. It was essential to design flows that complemented and enhanced the user experience without disrupting the familiar interaction patterns and workflows already established in the application.
03 DESIGN
LOFI FRAMES
I designed multiple digital sketches and generated screen ideas to iterate on in the beginning of the design phase.
HIFI WIREFRAMES
In crafting the wireframes, I prioritized a meticulous approach to ensure seamless integration with the existing application. Recognizing the importance of precision and attention to detail, I meticulously designed high-fidelity wireframes, aiming for a harmonious blend within Todoist's interface. This deliberate focus not only enhanced the visual continuity but also ensured a user-centric experience.
04 PROTOTYPE
PROTOTYPE
To enhance the design's usability, I created prototypes of the three user tasks and tested the screens' usability. This process helped identify areas that needed improvement and provided valuable feedback for refining the design.
05 TESTING
USABILITY TESTING
The primary objective of usability testing was to analyze and understand the usability of the design as well as the severity and frequency of errors users encounter when testing flow of the prototype.
FINAL PRODUCT
LESSONS AND REFLECTIONS
Throughout the process of integrating AI features into Todoist, several invaluable insights emerged that shaped both the design and implementation phases.
Consistency is Key: While the allure of exciting features is undeniable, maintaining consistency with Todoist's existing design language proved crucial. This not only ensured a cohesive user experience but also facilitated smoother adoption by existing users familiar with the platform's aesthetics and interactions.
User-Centric Design: Emphasizing ease-of-use was pivotal. AI features, no matter how advanced, must resonate with users' needs and expectations. By keeping the interface intuitive and straightforward, the new functionalities seamlessly integrated into users' workflows without causing friction or confusion.
Functionality Over Novelty: While exploring innovative AI-driven capabilities, grounding these features in realism was crucial. Prioritizing functionalities that were both practical and beneficial to the user ensured that the enhancements added genuine value, rather than merely novelty.
This exploration highlighted the delicate balance between innovation and familiarity. Integrating AI into established platforms like Todoist requires a nuanced approach. An approach that honors the platform's design system while paving the way for future advancements. The exploration reaffirmed the significance of understanding user needs, maintaining design consistency, and prioritizing functionality in crafting meaningful digital experiences.