Productive
ROLE
Project Manager
UI/UX Lead
SKILLS
UI/UX
User Flow
Brand Developer
AUDIENCE
16-22 Year Olds
TIMELINE
Ongoing
TOOLS
Figma
Photoshop
Illustrator
Contribution
I act as the visionary founder, identifying a gap in the productivity app market and crafting a holistic solution. As the lead designer, I conceptualize the app's interface, branding, and user experience with a focus on clarity and functionality. My work also as the typographer introduced a custom typeface, JL Pro, ensuring a consistent and cohesive visual identity. This further adds to the holistic goal for this project. I also hold the role of project manager, synthesizing user feedback, refining features, and aligning the development of Productive with its core philosophy of simplicity and purpose, ensuring each step aligns with the vision for this app and keeps the end user in mind.
Deliverables
App Design | Brand Identity | Marketing Strategy
Collaborators
Elliot George, Michael Moses, Bryce Lindsay
INTRODUCTION
Born from a need to simplify and streamline the productivity landscape, Productive is a reimagined approach to how users manage their time, tasks, and goals. Inspired by first-hand frustrations with existing apps, this project fuses innovation, design excellence, the goal for user-centricity into one cohesive solution.
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
The idea of Productive came during a college assignment: design a single-function app for students. The initial concept—a distraction blocker that also functioned as a timer—was positively received but shelved post-semester. Later, as I sought an app to meet my own productivity needs, it became evident that existing tools fell short in several ways:
OVERWHELMING FRAGMENTATION:
Too many apps for specific tasks, leading to inefficient context-switching.
EXCESSIVE CUSTOMIZATION:
Features that, while powerful, consumed time instead of promoting focus.
HIGH COSTS:
Most apps carried steep subscription models. Additionally users would have to pay for multiple.
INEFFECTIVE NOTIFCATIONS
A lack of true accountability undermined user goals.
RIGID STRUCTURES
Few apps adapted to different productivity styles or routines.
This research revealed a clear opportunity: a single, intuitive app that simplifies productivity without compromise.
THE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
At its core, Productive embodies the intersection of purpose, simplicity, and empowerment. This philosophy stems from the belief and needs that productivity tools should amplify human potential without becoming a source of distraction or frustration. The following pillars guide the app’s design and development:
CLARITY OVER
COMPLEXITY:
Every feature within Productive serves a clear purpose, avoiding unnecessary clutter. This aligns with the ethos that great design is as much about what you remove as what you include. Users should feel empowered, not overwhelmed, by their tools.
FLOW-CENTRIC
USER EXPERIENCE:
Productivity thrives on momentum. The app is designed to create a seamless experience where users can effortlessly transition between tasks, calendars, and goals without breaking focus. This focus on continuity ensures users spend more time accomplishing and less time navigating.
PERSONALIZATION AND ADAPTABILITY:
Recognizing that productivity is deeply personal, Productive aims to offer a customizable framework. From tailored schedules to synced tasks and events with users current calendars, the app respects the diverse routines, workstyles, and preferences of its users.
ACCOUNTABILITY
WITH EMPATHY:
Productivity tools often fall into the trap of being too rigid, leading to guilt or stress when users deviate from their plans. Productive takes a kinder approach—nudging users with reminders and insights rather than penalizing them for missteps. Features like the upcoming vacation mode underscore this balance between discipline and self-care.
TIMELESS
DESIGN:
Productive aspires to a clean, modern, and timeless interface. Every interaction, from button presses to animations, is crafted to feel intuitive, elegant, and satisfying.
By embedding these principles into every decision, Productive transcends being "just another app." It aims to become a trusted companion, guiding users toward a more organized, balanced, and fulfilling lifestyle.
Early Screen Concepts
Project Status
POSTED: Aug. 2024
I am excited to share that the Productive app project is currently under active development, with ongoing meetings and updates among the entire team. This ambitious project will feature a comprehensive case study that outlines the journey from conceptualization to final implementation and promotion.
Our dedicated team is passionately working to bring this vision to life, ensuring it aligns closely with our ambitious goals. While this case study will highlight my specific contributions, a dedicated website for the app is in the works, which will provide a deeper dive into the entire process and showcase insights from all team members.
As we continue to develop the app and approach its release, I will keep you informed with further updates. This project represents one of the most exciting and challenging endeavors yet, and I look forward to sharing more!
UPDATE: Dec. 2024
The scope of this project grown considerably larger than I initially anticipated, which was already quite extensive to begin with. As the lead of the project, I have found it necessary to take a step back and thoughtfully redefine the vision not only for myself but also for the entire team involved. To aid in this process, I am revisiting the branding work and developing a comprehensive and informative set of brand standards. It is essential to establish these early steps and ensure that the foundation built is strong, as this will be critical for the future success of the project. Although the project has been adjusted and the release date is now yet to be determined, this should not be interpreted as a halt in progress. In fact, this adjustment is quite the opposite; it reflects the need for a more expansive approach that I had not originally considered.
