Zengenda

Problem Space 

The problem statement we are addressing is: How might we design a solution that enhances to-do list tracking for people struggling with stress caused by task prioritization, time management, and a lack of motivation to enhance their productivity and overall mood? 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults aged 18 and older, which often includes college students. Professional workloads and academic stress are common stressors that initiate the onset of this anxiety.

In a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, 62% of respondents reported that they felt that their workloads were overwhelming, indicating a widespread need for better task management strategies. In addition, a survey by the American College Health Association found that 60% of college students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety, and 40% experienced depression so severe that it was interfering with their daily responsibilities. Although our users’ daily responsibilities and tasks are rigid, we believe their productivity systems can be restructured to provide better coping mechanisms for them. 

The customer base consists of individuals aged 18-34, primarily employed full-time, seeking an effective solution for task management. The need stems from an overwhelming 89% dissatisfaction with current task management methods, highlighting a gap in the market for a tool that aligns with their productivity and well-being needs. This problem is urgent as it directly impacts daily efficiency and stress levels.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that workplace stress costs US employers an estimated $300 billion annually in absenteeism, turnover, decreased productivity, and medical costs. Evidence from surveys and interviews confirms the issue, with only 11% satisfaction reported among users regarding their existing task management systems.

‍

User Pain Points

Using individuals in our close circles, we identified a few different categories of prospective users and did 26  user interviews. These individuals came from various demographic backgrounds and age groups.

These were individuals actively seeking relief from the burden of overwhelming tasks in their daily lives, making them prime candidates for a task management solution.

Upon aggregating their feedback onto a dedicated Mural board for User Research Analysis, three predominant pain points emerged consistently across all 26 participants:

• Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks
• Struggling with sustained motivation
• Battling procrastination tendencies

‍

Solution Explanation

Target Persona:

User Stories

Our user research allowed us to develop the three following user stories, which also highlight three of the most common roles that we encountered during our user interviews:

1. As a student struggling with motivation, I want to see inspiring content and motivational quotes within the app, so that I can feel encouraged and uplifted to start my tasks and maintain positive momentum throughout my day.
2. As a busy professional, I want an app that breaks down my extensive to-do list into manageable tasks and provides contextual reminders, so that I can approach my workload with less stress and a clearer mind, allowing for a more productive and calm day.
3. As a freelancer who procrastinates often, I want an app that visually distinguishes urgent tasks from the less critical ones, so that I can easily prioritize my daily activities and manage my time more efficiently.

‍

Lofi & Hifi Mockups

Iterative Design Learnings

Throughout the development journey of Zengenda, embracing the concept of Iterative Design Learning has been paramount. As we delved deeper into the design process, continual iterations on the home screen were crucial. User feedback was a guiding light, advocating for simplicity and reduced clutter. Consequently, adjustments were made to streamline the interface, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Moreover, attention was directed towards enhancing buttons and icons, infusing the app with vibrant colors and character, enriching its visual appeal.

Along this path, Jorda, the Designer, embarked on learning within Figma, gradually mastering advanced prototyping techniques. Each iteration refined the app's aesthetics and deepened his understanding of user-centered design principles, propelling Zengenda’s usability and charm.

Following the implementation of our iterative designs as depicted in the mockups above, we conducted additional user interviews to gather feedback. Here's a succinct summary of the insights we garnered:

Results: 

• Intuitive Navigation: Users found our features easy to navigate, seamlessly progressing through the app with clarity.
• Positive Reception: Overall, the app design received commendations, particularly for elements like the inspirational quotes page and tranquil cloud background.
• Retention Considerations: While users appreciated the app initially, some expressed uncertainty about returning to it consistently over time. They acknowledged potential short-term usage but questioned sustained engagement over months or years.
• Subtask Utilization: Feedback suggested that breaking tasks into subtasks might not be a frequently utilized feature among users.
• User Experience Refinement: Suggestions were made to improve the accessibility of features such as the "Zen" button for accessing additional quotes and to prioritize the integration of a calendar view for enhanced task management in future updates.

‍

Implementation Details

Technical Implementation

• Hosted on Expo Go via Expo Application Services (EAS)
• Tech Stack: TypeScript, React-Native, Expo, Firebase
• Our two main collections on Firebase were Tasks and Categories, which is all we really needed database-wise for the platform

‍

Technical Challenges

• The most challenging part of the development was configuring different algorithms on the dashboard to display tasks and their respective categories; after figuring this out, many other things came together for the app
• The app is on the free plan of Firebase, so it would likely not be able to support a large number of users as the database size grows
• React-Native is very similar to React, and its component-style architecture made it easier to develop the app in some ways and harder in other ways

‍

Future Steps + Feature Development Roadmap

Our journey with Zengenda doesn't end with this bootcamp – it's just the beginning! We're thrilled to unveil our ambitious plans for enhancing user experience and delivering even more value. Here's a sneak peek into what's in store:

‍

‍

Feature Expansion:

• Pomodoro Timer: Boost productivity with structured work intervals and breaks.
• Personalized Breathing Exercises: Tailored relaxation techniques to soothe your mind and body.
• Gamification: Transform tasks into engaging challenges to keep you motivated and focused.
• Integration of ChatGPT: Harness the power of AI for personalized app interactions and recommendations.

‍

Development Phases:

Phase 1: Laying the Foundation

• Calendar View: Organize tasks and appointments seamlessly.
• Inbox: Centralize communication and notifications for streamlined management.

Phase 2: Prioritizing Well-being

• Breathing Exercises: Cultivate mindfulness with customizable relaxation techniques.
• Personalized Wellness Recommendations: Leverage ChatGPT API for personalized advice and suggestions tailored to your needs.

Phase 3: Catering to Study Needs

• Pomodoro Timer: Optimize study sessions with structured time management techniques.

Exciting times lie ahead as we continue to evolve Zengenda into a comprehensive tool for productivity, well-being, and academic success. Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this exciting journey together!

‍

‍