‍Research

‍To make the technology work, we needed to gather typing data specific to certain moods. To this end, we created a Public Research program where people could help us build Focus. The interface is similar to a digital journal, where users input their current mood and then type answers to questions around images or just questions. People joining the Public Research program would receive the app earlier, along with three additional moods upon launch. For the Public Research app, I collaborated with the product manager and developers to deliver and iterate the web-based experience. Along with the data scientist, we determined what flow was needed so that text input would be relevant.

We aimed to include gamification as well, so whenever users typed a certain amount of words, they would receive a new badge. We even created hoodies as gifts for those who typed more than 5,000 characters. To develop a comprehensive understanding of users' productivity needs, we conducted research through surveys and interaction recordings. The research program concluded successfully, resulting in over 1 million typing patterns that allowed us to create Focus.

For the native Focus app, we began with a design sprint workshop, which was facilitated by a third-party company. During the workshop, we were able to create user personas, validate the app idea, and map out the user journey. We also defined the problem that the app would address and came up with a solution that caters to the user's needs. This collaborative effort involved the participation of the co-founders, a product manager, a marketing specialist, and myself, all of whom contributed their unique perspectives and expertise to the project.

Visual Design

Before creating the app itself, we spent a significant amount of time thinking we could promote the Product Hunt launch. We knew that we wanted to create a product page, newsletter emails, videos, and graphics for social media, but we also wanted to make sure that we were effectively communicating the unique features of our app. This involved a lot of research into the best ways to reach our target audience and how we could position our app in a way that would resonate with them.

As we began to focus on the branding for our app, we realized that we needed to combine mental health and productivity with typing biometrics. This presented a unique challenge, as we wanted to create a brand that was both approachable and professional, while still conveying a sense of innovation and forward-thinking. We spent many hours brainstorming different ideas and iterating on various concepts, taking feedback from stakeholders along the way.

Ultimately, my team and I settled on a colorful and dynamic brand theme that we believe captures the essence of our app. We carefully selected a range of colors that we felt were both vibrant and soothing, and we worked to create messaging and iconography that conveyed the idea of a dynamic state of mind. Through this process, we were able to create a brand that we feel truly represents the heart of our app and will resonate with our target audience.

Design

The MVP, or minimum viable product, was developed with the goal of creating a user-friendly interface that allows for easy navigation. The result is a clean and simple design that offers users two distinct views on the home screen: Activity and Mood. The Activity view enables users to track their productivity time-wise and provides a clear picture of how they have spent their day, while the Mood view allows users to identify patterns in their focus, energy levels, and stress throughout the day. As the interface was being developed, multiple iterations were necessary to incorporate feedback from users and to address any issues that arose during the design process. Additionally, new features were added along the way to meet the evolving needs of the product and its users. Overall, the MVP was successful in creating an interface that is both visually appealing and highly functional for its intended use case.

Moreover, we worked on optimizing the app's performance and security by conducting regular maintenance checks and implementing the latest security protocols. We also added new features to the app, such as personalized notifications and in-app messaging, to enhance the user experience and keep users engaged.

Overall, the development of the native Focus app was a collaborative effort that involved multiple stakeholders and required careful planning, research, and iteration.

Testing

‍To ensure the app's usability and effectiveness, we conducted usability testing with a group of beta testers. The feedback from our testers was positive, with many users reporting that the app helped them stay more focused and productive throughout their day.

Iteration

‍The final stage of the design thinking process is to test the app with users and iterate on the design based on their feedback. The design team would analyze the user feedback and make changes to the app's features, interface, and functionality to improve the user experience and effectiveness of the app. This could include conducting A/B testing to test different design concepts and iterating on the app's design and functionality based on user feedback.

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Conclusion

Focus is a comprehensive productivity app designed to help users stay focused and organized throughout their day. The app's intuitive interface, combined with a range of features, makes it an ideal solution for anyone looking to improve their productivity. By incorporating user feedback and conducting extensive testing, we have created an app that truly meets the needs of our users. The product launched at #3 and has been downloaded by thousands of users to this day. It has also been featured in multiple productivity channels, such as here, here, and here.