Dash Pad
Dash Pad is an end-to-end mobile app designed to keep the inner critic out of the process and encourage free flowing creativity.
SCOPE:
End-to-End Mobile App
GOAL:
Unlock Creative Productivity
DATE:
September 2024
ROLE
Designed an end-to-end mobile app. User research, user flows, UI design, interaction design, and prototyping.
PROBLEM
Writers are unable to make progress in their projects due to writer's block, demanding schedules, and paralyzing self-criticism.
OUTCOME
A mobile app that uses vanishing text and 90-second writing sprints to promote focused and free-flowing creativity.
The Problem
I WANTED TO HELP WRITERS OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK
The blank page is one of the most intimidating obstacles for writers to overcome. The difficulty of starting a new idea is made worse by writer's block, demanding schedules, and paralyzing self-criticism. This project was undertaken to find a solution for writers, help them get unstuck, and free them to enjoy the writing process again.
The Constraints
I NEEDED TO DESIGN A MINIMAL APP THAT PROMOTED FOCUS
Writers are idiosyncratic craftsmen. What they all have in common is the need for simple tools and focus. The design, therefore, needed to feel like a tool. Not like a game, productivity, or social media app. The challenge was to create something that helped writers without accidentally distracting them.
Work Like a Tool
Look Like a Tool
Distraction Free
User Research
I NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE KEY PAIN POINTS WERE
Writers are as unique as the individual undertaking the craft. Interviews were conducted to better understand why writers write, what they're struggling with, and what sort of help they needed. Findings from the interviews helped to focus this solution on three types of writers.
Self-Critical Writers
Self-Critical Writers
Self-critical writers can't get anything done because they're too critical of every single word and idea and get paralyzed.
Self-critical writers can't get anything done because they're too critical of every single word or idea and get stuck.
Maria
Inconsistent Writers
Inconsistent Writers
These writers will write a lot one day and nothing the next. They don't write much because they can't write consistently.
JR
Busy Writers
Busy Writers
These writers have busy schedules that prevent them from being able to spend large amounts of time on writing.
These writers have busy schedules that prevent them from being able to spend large amounts of time on writing.
Claire
Inspiration
I WAS INSPIRED BY THE AD-HOC SOLUTION THAT WRITERS USED TO GET WORK DONE
The solution for this problem was inspired by the ad-hoc solutions writers had developed to help tackle the challenges of writing. Among these solutions, the most prominent were the Pomodoro Technique, getting away from the computer, and tricking the brain into having fun. Also, chess clocks.
The Solution
VANISHING TEXT AND SHORTS SPRINTS WERE THE ANSWER I WAS LOOKING FOR
Dash Pad was built on three central features: vanishing text, 90-second writing sprints, and delayed access to written notes. Together, these three features were conceived to encourage focused and free-flowing creativity undisturbed by the formidable inner critic.
The Process
I NEEDED TO DESIGN BY SUBTRACTION TO KEEP THE APP SIMPLE AND FOCUSED
This tool was built through subtraction and staying true to the needs of the users. Many exciting and potentially useful features that didn't ultimately help writers were filtered out. This solution needed to function as a tool and remain extremely simple in its function and visual design.
User Testing
USER FEEDBACK CONVINCED ME TO MAKE IMPORTANT COMPROMISES
Users expressed enthusiastic bewilderment at the disappearing text and exacting time limit but felt frustrated with delayed note access. Their feedback led to a new "lap" feature that would allow them to write as long as they wanted, 90 seconds at a time. Still, I had to ignore their requests for gamification, voice dictation, and social networking enhancements to guard focused purpose of the tool.
Longer Writing Sprints
Enable users to write for as long as they want by adding "laps" to session.
Delayed Notes Access
Prevent users from opening their notes before a waiting period passes.
Delayed Notes Access
Prevent users from opening their notes before a waiting period passes.
Gamification
Motivational user experience that mimics video games.
Voice Dictation
Allow users to dictate their notes instead of typing them.
Social Features
Allow users to add friends, compete and compare writing stats.
The Metrics
THE NEXT STEP IS TO MEASURE KEY SUCCESS METRICS
Writing ultimately comes down to consistency. Dash Pad's success can therefore be measurably defined by the frequency and consistency of its use. The following success metrics can be used to validate the design and guide further improvements to its features.
Time to Start Writing
80% of users start writing within 10 seconds of opening the app.
Session Completion
90% of users complete one writing session without quitting.
Return Usage
50% of users return at least 3 times per week and complete 1 session.
Reflection
DASH PAD WAS DESIGNED TO HELP USERS RECLAIM JOYFUL AND SPONTANEOUS WRITING
The finished product is a design that focuses on helping writers generate ideas in a joyful and spontaneous way. Something they can do anywhere with any amount of time. Because everyone has 90 seconds to invest in their writing project.
Dash Pad
Writers are each unique but their problems are common. Many struggle to overcome writer’s block and complete their projects. Dash Pad is an end-to-end mobile app designed to keep the inner critic out of the process and encourage free flowing creativity.
SCOPE:
End-to-End Mobil App
GOAL:
Unlock Creative Productivity
DATE:
September 2024
ROLE
Designed an end-to-end mobile app. User research, user flows, UI design, interaction design, and prototyping.
PROBLEM
Writers are unable to make progress in their projects due to writer's block, demanding schedules, and paralyzing self-criticism.
OUTCOME
A mobile app that uses vanishing text and 90-second writing sprints to promote focused and free-flowing creativity.
BLANK PAGES
The blank page is one of the most intimidating obstacles for writers to overcome. The difficulty of starting a new idea is made worse by writer's block, demanding schedules, and paralyzing self-criticism. Many writers drive themselves crazy and give up on their projects before finding an answer to these problems. This project was undertaken to find a solution for writers, help them get unstuck, and free them to enjoy the writing process again.
The Problem
Work Like a Tool
Look Like a Tool
Distraction Free
KEEPING IT SIMPLE
Writers have a reputation for being idiosyncratic craftsmen. Perhaps what they all have in common is the need for simple tools and the need for focus. The design solution, therefore, needed to feel like a tool. Not like a game, productivity, or social media app. This tool needed to facilitate focused writing so its design also needed to be simple if not plain and utilitarian in its visual design. The challenge was to create something that helped writers without accidentally distracting them.
The Constraints
Self-Critical Writers
Self-critical writers can't get anything done because they're too critical of every single word and idea and get paralyzed.
Maria
Inconsistent Writers
These writers will write a lot one day and nothing the next. They don't write much because they can't write consistently.
JR
Busy Writers
These writers have busy schedules that prevent them from being able to spend large amounts of time on writing.
Claire
User Research
OUR WRITERS
Writers are as unique as the individual undertaking the craft. Interviews were conducted to better understand why writers write, what they're struggling with, and what sort of help they needed. Findings from the interviews helped to focus this solution on three types of writers.
Inspiration
FLASH FOCUS
The solution for this problem was inspired by the ad-hoc solutions writers had developed to help tackle the challenges of writing. Among these solutions, the most prominent were the Pomodoro Technique, getting away from the computer, and tricking the brain into having fun. Also, chess clocks.
The Solution
VANISHING TEXT
Dash Pad was built on three central features: vanishing text, 90-second writing sprints, and delayed access to written notes. Together, these three features were conceived to encourage focused and free-flowing creativity undisturbed by the formidable inner critic.
SUBTRACTION
This tool was built through subtraction and staying true to the needs of the users. Many exciting and potentially useful features that didn't ultimately help writers were filtered out. This solution needed to function as a tool and remain extremely simple in its function and visual design.
The Process
Longer Writing Sprints
Enable users to write for as long as they want by adding "laps" to session.
Delayed Notes Access
Prevent users from opening their notes before a waiting period passes.
Gamification
Motivational user experience that mimics video games.
Voice Dictation
Allow users to dictate their notes instead of typing them.
Social Features
Allow users to add friends, compete and compare writing stats.
COMPROMISE
Users expressed enthusiastic bewilderment at the disappearing text and exacting time limit but felt frustrated with delayed note access, a favorite feature of mine. It was originally designed to force users to spend time away from their work before judging it but it would ultimately prevent the app from being used in professional contexts. Their feedback motivated me to cancel it but led to a new "lap" feature that would allow them to start new writing sprints. This effectively meant they could write as long as they wanted for 90 seconds at a time. Still, I had to ignore their requests for gamification, voice dictation, and social networking enhancements to guard the simple and focused purpose of the tool.
User Testing
DASH PAD
The finished product is a design that focuses on helping writers generate ideas in a joyful and spontaneous way. Something they can do anywhere with any amount of time. Because everyone has 90 seconds to invest in their writing project.
Reflection
MEASURING SUCCESS
Writing ultimately comes down to consistency. Dash Pad's success can therefore be measurably defined by the frequency and consistency of its use. The following success metrics can be used to validate the design and guide further improvements to its features.
The Metrics
Time to Start Writing
80% of users start writing within 10 seconds of opening the app.
Session Completion
90% of users complete one writing session without quitting.
Return Usage
50% of users return at least 3 times per week and complete 1 session.