2021 / 2Q
Focus Keeper
Focus Keeper 2.0 Major Update
Task Management Feature
2021 / 2Q
Focus Keeper
Focus Keeper 2.0 Major Update
Task Management Feature
2021 / 2Q
Focus Keeper
Focus Keeper 2.0 Major Update
Task Management Feature
We introduced a new task management feature and improved major pain points while redesigning the Focus Keeper’s timer and chart user experience. Consequently, we increased our MAU by 157% and Day 30 Retention by 21.1%.
We introduced a new task management feature and improved major pain points while redesigning the Focus Keeper’s timer and chart user experience. Consequently, we increased our MAU by 157% and Day 30 Retention by 21.1%.
About Focus Keeper
About Focus Keeper
About Focus Keeper
Focus Keeper is a time management app that utilizes the Pomodoro technique. It helps maintain concentration and increase productivity by repeating short focus and break sessions. Focus Keeper has been downloaded over 3 million times and has a 4.8-star rating on the App Store.
Focus Keeper is a time management app that utilizes the Pomodoro technique. It helps maintain concentration and increase productivity by repeating short focus and break sessions. Focus Keeper has been downloaded over 3 million times and has a 4.8-star rating on the App Store.
2021 / 2Q
Focus Keeper
Focus Keeper 2.0 Major Update
Task Management Feature
We introduced a new task management feature and improved major pain points while redesigning the Focus Keeper’s timer and chart user experience. Consequently, we increased our MAU by 157% and Day 30 Retention by 21.1%.
About Focus Keeper
Focus Keeper is a time management app that utilizes the Pomodoro technique. It helps maintain concentration and increase productivity by repeating short focus and break sessions. Focus Keeper has been downloaded over 3 million times and has a 4.8-star rating on the App Store.
01
Facts
01
Facts
01
Facts
Release Date
2021 2Q
Released on
iOS, iPadOS, watchOS*
*watchOS process is not shown in this page
Duration
5 Months*
*Includes Planning, Design, User Testing, Development, Design QA & Feature QA
Team
1 Product Designer
1 iOS Developer
1 Product Owner
My Roles
UX Design
UI & Motion Design
User Testing & Research
Workshop Facilitation
Release Date
2021 2Q
Released on
iOS, iPadOS, watchOS*
*watchOS process is not shown in this page
Duration
5 Months*
*Includes Planning, Design, User Testing, Development, Design QA & Feature QA
Team
1 Product Designer
1 iOS Developer
1 Product Owner
My Roles
UX Design
UI & Motion Design
User Testing & Research
Workshop Facilitation
Release Date
2021 2Q
Released on
iOS, iPadOS, watchOS*
*watchOS process is not shown in this page
Duration
5 Months*
*Includes Planning, Design, User Testing, Development, Design QA & Feature QA
Team
1 Product Designer
1 iOS Developer
1 Product Owner
My Roles
UX Design
UI & Motion Design
User Testing & Research
Workshop Facilitation
02
Project Background
02
Project Background
02
Project Background
Although most users praised the Focus Keeper’s simplicity, many of our users had been expressing their challenges regarding certain UX pain points and their desire for task-tracking features. To gain further insight, I delved into the reviews from the App Store, YouTube, and VoC channels and researched competitors’ UX solutions for task and habit management.
Although most users praised the Focus Keeper’s simplicity, many of our users had been expressing their challenges regarding certain UX pain points and their desire for task-tracking features. To gain further insight, I delved into the reviews from the App Store, YouTube, and VoC channels and researched competitors’ UX solutions for task and habit management.
Pain Point
Lack of Task Management Features
Pain Point
Lack of Task Management Features
Pain Point
Lack of Task Management Features
Based on frequent user requests and our analysis of user patterns, and competitors.
Based on frequent user requests and our analysis of user patterns, and competitors.
Pain Point
Timer and Chart Usability Issues
Pain Point
Timer and Chart Usability Issues
Pain Point
Timer and Chart Usability Issues
Existing usability issues that were frequently requested to be addressed.
Existing usability issues that were frequently requested to be addressed.
Opportunity
Being More than a Timer App
Opportunity
Being More than a Timer App
Opportunity
Being More than a Timer App
Extending Focus Keeper's functionality to compete within the competitive market.
Extending Focus Keeper's functionality to compete within the competitive market.
Opportunity
New Business Model
Opportunity
New Business Model
Opportunity
New Business Model
Switching to a subscription-based business model to incentivize future developments and reduce the entry costs to new features.
Switching to a subscription-based business model to incentivize future developments and reduce the entry costs to new features.
Opportunity
Improving User Retention
Opportunity
Improving User Retention
Opportunity
Improving User Retention
Creating a habit-forming solution that would increase user retention and thereby directly impact recurring revenue.
Creating a habit-forming solution that would increase user retention and thereby directly impact recurring revenue.
03
Design Challenges and Solutions
03
Design Challenges and Solutions
03
Design Challenges and Solutions
01
Combining Task Management and Pomodoro Timer
01
Combining Task Management and Pomodoro Timer
01
Combining Task Management and Pomodoro Timer
Our first initiative was adding the task management feature. Although well-established task management and habit tracker apps follow some common UX patterns, we had to create a unique solution by combining the task management feature with the Pomodoro timer.
After conducting internal testing for various designs, I finalized the card design that simultaneously displays task status and timer information.
Our first initiative was adding the task management feature. Although well-established task management and habit tracker apps follow some common UX patterns, we had to create a unique solution by combining the task management feature with the Pomodoro timer.
After conducting internal testing for various designs, I finalized the card design that simultaneously displays task status and timer information.
02
Maintaining the Iconic Timer Design
02
Maintaining the Iconic Timer Design
02
Maintaining the Iconic Timer Design
Focus Keeper features a distinctive user interface characterized by its simple design and iconic red color. This factor, which contributed to the app's viral success and easy recognition, was crucial for us to consider during the design process.
Below, I highlighted some of the major pain points identified in the previous timer screen. I developed an intuitive method to navigate between task and chart screens, preserving the iconic appearance while tackling usability issues.
Focus Keeper features a distinctive user interface characterized by its simple design and iconic red color. This factor, which contributed to the app's viral success and easy recognition, was crucial for us to consider during the design process.
Below, I highlighted some of the major pain points identified in the previous timer screen. I developed an intuitive method to navigate between task and chart screens, preserving the iconic appearance while tackling usability issues.
03
Problems Discovered through Validation
03
Problems Discovered through Validation
03
Problems Discovered through Validation
Before making the update available to the public, we decided to validate our solutions and identify any significant issues that could emerge with the new user experience. I led these moderated and unmoderated user tests and observations. We identified two major pain points that could be addressed within the time and resource constraints before launching to the public.
Before making the update available to the public, we decided to validate our solutions and identify any significant issues that could emerge with the new user experience. I led these moderated and unmoderated user tests and observations. We identified two major pain points that could be addressed within the time and resource constraints before launching to the public.
04
Delivering In-depth Analysis of Task and Time Data
04
Delivering In-depth Analysis of Task and Time Data
04
Delivering In-depth Analysis of Task and Time Data
Due to time and development constraints, we launched the new chart screen a few months after the renewal.
Previously, the task analysis only displayed the duration of focus sessions for the past 30 days. Users needed to interact with specific data points on the graph to see the total session counts for a particular day.
The new chart update aimed to provide a better user experience for analyzing timer and task features. The new subscription-based membership system made it mandatory to consider which features should be free or pro during the design process. The overview section was designed to be available for all users, while task-specific data was designated for pro users only.
Due to time and development constraints, we launched the new chart screen a few months after the renewal.
Previously, the task analysis only displayed the duration of focus sessions for the past 30 days. Users needed to interact with specific data points on the graph to see the total session counts for a particular day.
The new chart update aimed to provide a better user experience for analyzing timer and task features. The new subscription-based membership system made it mandatory to consider which features should be free or pro during the design process. The overview section was designed to be available for all users, while task-specific data was designated for pro users only.
04
Consistency and Delightful Experience
04
Consistency and Delightful Experience
04
Consistency and Delightful Experience
01
Providing Delightful Experience
01
Providing Delightful Experience
01
Providing Delightful Experience
As the App Store was saturated with similar Pomodoro timers and task management tools, crafting outstanding user experiences was key. Our strategy focused on developing a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) that surpasses the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) by providing delightful user experiences.
However, creating a delightful experience requires design and development resources, so it was necessary to focus on the most effective experience that would delight all users. Focusing on the custom floating tab bar and task interaction emerged as prime candidates, considering they would be used by all our users and their significant contribution to the simplicity and iconic look of the timer.
As the App Store was saturated with similar Pomodoro timers and task management tools, crafting outstanding user experiences was key. Our strategy focused on developing a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) that surpasses the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) by providing delightful user experiences.
However, creating a delightful experience requires design and development resources, so it was necessary to focus on the most effective experience that would delight all users. Focusing on the custom floating tab bar and task interaction emerged as prime candidates, considering they would be used by all our users and their significant contribution to the simplicity and iconic look of the timer.
02
Maintaining the Consistent Experience
02
Maintaining the Consistent Experience
02
Maintaining the Consistent Experience
Due to the constraints of legacy code, much of Focus Keeper had to be developed from scratch. I collaborated with developers to create a design system to lower design and development costs and ensure a consistent visual identity. The design system adopted the atomic design methodology, organizing Colors, Fonts, Elements (atoms), and Components (molecules and organisms).
Given our users' strong interest for the iPad version and landscape mode, ensuring a consistent user experience across different devices and orientations became a key priority. Therefore I created a responsive layout guide that would support all iOS and iPad OS devices including portrait, landscape and split view modes.
Due to the constraints of legacy code, much of Focus Keeper had to be developed from scratch. I collaborated with developers to create a design system to lower design and development costs and ensure a consistent visual identity. The design system adopted the atomic design methodology, organizing Colors, Fonts, Elements (atoms), and Components (molecules and organisms).
Given our users' strong interest for the iPad version and landscape mode, ensuring a consistent user experience across different devices and orientations became a key priority. Therefore I created a responsive layout guide that would support all iOS and iPad OS devices including portrait, landscape and split view modes.
05
Results and Lessons Learned
05
Results and Lessons Learned
05
Results and Lessons Learned
01
Initial Public Release (2021 2Q)
01
Initial Public Release (2021 2Q)
01
Initial Public Release (2021 2Q)
We observed a significant increase in both DAU and MAU without any marketing campaign, reaching 136% and 157%, respectively. Also, the number of new users increased by 150%, indicating that we broadened user acquisition to users who needed task management.
We observed a significant increase in both DAU and MAU without any marketing campaign, reaching 136% and 157%, respectively. Also, the number of new users increased by 150%, indicating that we broadened user acquisition to users who needed task management.
02
Chart Update Release (2021 4Q)
02
Chart Update Release (2021 4Q)
02
Chart Update Release (2021 4Q)
Due to time and development constraints, we released the redesigned chart screen four months after the initial release.
Upon introducing the new chart screen and highlighting its value during the onboarding process, we observed an increase in the new user subscription rate by 58.7% and task creation rate by 19.1%. Indicating that users who can analyze their task data are more willing to subscribe. Additionally, we achieved our goal of increasing the average chart view count per day by 17.1 percent, showcasing that the page became more useful.
Due to time and development constraints, we released the redesigned chart screen four months after the initial release.
Upon introducing the new chart screen and highlighting its value during the onboarding process, we observed an increase in the new user subscription rate by 58.7% and task creation rate by 19.1%. Indicating that users who can analyze their task data are more willing to subscribe. Additionally, we achieved our goal of increasing the average chart view count per day by 17.1 percent, showcasing that the page became more useful.
“Design is the beauty of turning constraints into advantages.” — Aza Raskin
“Design is the beauty of turning constraints into advantages.” — Aza Raskin
“Design is the beauty of turning constraints into advantages.” — Aza Raskin