The Mindful Planner

      Helps users plan their days to be balanced while reaching their goals

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      My Role:UX/UI, User Research
      Tools Used:Sketch, Principle
      Overview:Many people want to live more balanced lives while also reaching their work and life goals. They read self-improvement books, but find it challenging to implement the principles on a consistent basis or at all. Since planning is key to achieving the life they desire, there is an opportunity to create a planner that helps them apply the principles to their daily lives.
      Challenge:Design a day planner grounded in key self-improvement and wellness principles that helps users plan their days optimally.
      Independent ProjectDuration: 2 months (app), 3 months (physical planner)

      I created a day planner that helps users move from knowledge of key productivity and wellness principles to implementing them in their daily lives. Integrated into the framework of the planner, the key principles support the whole person - bringing them the clarity they need to achieve their work and personal goals while also ensuring they have the fortitude to get there by strengthening them mentally, physically and emotionally.

      RESEARCH

      The productivity and wellness principles that are the foundation of the planner were identified through secondary research. Books such as The One Thing, Essentialism and Finish were referenced as well as websites such as WebMD and Inc.

      USER RESEARCH

      3 females (ages 26 to 44) who all use a physical or digital planner.Interviewed at 3 different stages in the design process with paper or digital prototype.

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      Research prototypes - paper (above), screens (below)

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      Overall Insights

      1

      Good Usability

      Found planner intuitive with creative and clear terminology used for section titles.

      2

      Increased Productivity

      Clarified priorities leading to better productivity.


      2

      The "Why" is Valuable

      Knowing the intention behind each part of the guided planning process was valuable.

      3

      App retains the feel of the physical planner experience

      This is a plus for users who see the benefit of a planner app, but have been reluctant to relinquish their physical planner or add a digital planner to their planning workflow.

      APP DESIGN

      The research insights from the first two rounds provided a good starting point for the app’s design.

      SITEMAP

      The sitemap is based on the planner’s framework and consistent with the layout of the physical planner.

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      TASK FLOWS

      Planning and reflecting on the day are key parts of the planning process so it was important to map out the task flow for each.

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      LOW FIDELITY WIREFRAMES

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      From left to right: Calendar, Planning, Scheduling Tasks, Adding a Task and Reflecting on the Day.

      UI DESIGN

      The app seeks to have a soothing, calming and clean look to convey mindfulness and be pleasant for users to use when planning their days.

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      HIGH-FIDELITY MOCK-UPS

      The screens with the look and feel applied.

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      PROTOTYPE OF DRAG-AND-DROP SCHEDULING INTERACTION

      The app makes scheduling items from the users’ task list a breeze through a quick and easy drag-and-drop interaction once the initial planning process has been completed.

      LOOKING AHEAD

      I am interested in gauging the level of interest in a mindful physical and/or digital planner on a larger scale. To do this, I would create a simple landing page that explains the benefits of the planners and gives prospective users the ability to sign-up for waitlist for either or both versions of the planner.