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VERSE
A browser extension - mobile app system which tracks your browsing activity and provides on-demand advice to improve your focus.
Brief / Create a digital tool that improve the productivity of independent workers who manage their own schedule.
Role / This is an independent project. I led the entire process from research, strategy, to prototyping.
Timeline / 10 weeks
Tools / Sketch, XD, Illustrator
PROBLEM
Distractions cost us valuable productivity minutes.
It is especially a problem among self-managing workers that is not held accountable by workplace.
40s
An average information worker switch tasks every 40 seconds
Source: Hyperfocus (Chris Bailey)
50%
Of extra time is needed to complete our work
when we are distracted
Source: Hyperfocus (Chris Bailey)
69%
Of U.S. workers report being distracted during work
Source: Udemy Survey
How might we empower independent creatives to become self-aware of their digital working habits?
SOLUTION
![phone-transparent [Recovered]-08.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/780e9d_01da47bd4fd14b9bb81e77490d343009~mv2_d_1981_3944_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_292,h_581,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/phone-transparent%20%5BRecovered%5D-08.png)
Verse provides answers, not numbers.
In verse's settings, user selects what they want to learn about their browsing habits.
The relevant insights would be clearly mapped out in the dashboard.
Verse is here when you need it, where you need it.
Verse tracks your activity in both your phone and browser.
When you are behaving in a way that will negatively affect your progress, verse will recommend an action to solve the problem.
![phone-transparent [Recovered]-08.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/780e9d_01da47bd4fd14b9bb81e77490d343009~mv2_d_1981_3944_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_292,h_582,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/phone-transparent%20%5BRecovered%5D-08.png)
Verse grows with you.
Very much like a personal assistant, verse becomes more and more efficient and precise as you spend more time together.
Research
HOW IS VERSE MADE?
Due to the time constraint of the project, I deviated from the double diamond design thinking process. And took on a strategic approach to converge insights into solution efficiently.
Feature design principle
How do we support growth in self awareness?
02. DEVISE PRODUCT STRATEGIES
Differentiation strategy
What is the market gap in the productivity industry?
4 action framework
Strategy
Personal Informatics models
Stage based Personal Informatics model
Elisabeth T. Kersten-van Dijk, Joyce H.D.M. Westerink, Femke Beute & Wijnand A. IJsselsteijn (2017) Personal Informatics, Self-Insight, and Behavior Change: A Critical Review of Current Literature, Human–Computer Interaction
Personal Informatics models
Stage based Personal Informatics model
1/2
Self-tracking is a proven way improve self-awareness.
So I decided to ideate around building a personal informatics system for productivity.
Personal informatics model
From information to answers
Prototype
One problem with self-tracking is that user often do not know what to do with the data.
So it is important to be very intentional in giving actionable suggestions to the users as well.
Insights
Journey mapping
03. PROTOTYPING AND TESTING
Defining the content structure of verse
Ideation
I came up with 3 concepts based on the strategic frameworks.
And finally I went for verse because it's platform is the most accessible to my target group.
Wireframing and User testing
Screenshot 2019-10-04 at 4.32.43 AM
Screenshot 2019-10-04 at 4.45.14 AM
Screenshot 2019-10-04 at 4.32.43 AM
1/2
Branding
Conceptual data model
User task flow
Moodboard
Screenshot 2019-09-12 at 3.49.58 PM
Moodboard
1/2
Feasibility testing
After I moved into a high-fidelity prototype, I presented the concept to two data scientists and asked for their feedback on the feasibility of the product.
You need to collect a lot of data before the advice given would be accurate. And I wonder would users stick around for that long.
Self-reported data could be inaccurate. You should better define the metric for productivity.
Your product gives customised feedback. And having individual machine learning algorithms could be very expensive.
Everything you said is possible, but I have reservations about the cost and accuracy involved.
Next steps
Narrow down the use case to better quantify productivity
Conduct user-testing for a longer time frame
Research on the desirability of the product (how much would a user pay for it)
The root cause of distractions and procrastination is being unaware of their emotions and habits.
The three major factors affecting productivity.
When we are not passionate about the task, we rely on accountability and good process management to be productive.
The three major factors affecting productivity.
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Insights
Journey mapping
01. IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
Synthesis
Research
10 Interviews
2 Cultural probes
6 Interruption studies
"I couldn't do this anymore, I realized how much I get distracted during work."
- T (25)
"When I feel uneasy about a task, it is hard to get started." - A (32)
"Productivity means that the task is completed not only on time, but with quality." - J (26)
1/4
What I learned
WHAT I LEARNED
This project has humbled me as a designer. Eager to move forward with my concept, I underestimated certain engineering and cost constraints.
A simple solution would be conducting the feasibility analysis before moving into high fidelity prototype.
Throughout the research process, I was also exposed to fundamental behavioural change principles through this project, such as contextual cues and positive reinforcement.
This has deepen my understanding of the psychological aspect of interaction design.
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