ASSIST // App Creation + Proposal
Class Project
Objective:
To develop an app that empowers users to modify specific behaviors.
-
Initiating my brainstorming, I reflected on aspects of my own life where behavior adjustments could make a positive impact. As ideas flowed, the enormity of the tasks at hand initially overwhelmed me. Transforming this anxiety into an opportunity, I conceived a support bot designed not only to keep individuals on track but also to efficiently organize and accomplish tasks.
During the early stages of ideation and research, my focus leaned towards tailoring the bot for the neurodivergent community. However, acknowledging the essential time and resources required to ensure an effective solution for this community, I opted to broaden my scope. The objective pivoted to creating an app that assists individuals in enhancing overall productivity, harnessing the capabilities of an artificial intelligence chatbot.
Skills Used
Research
High-Fidelity Prototyping
Graphic Design
App Proposal
Artificial Intelligence
Figma
Affinity Diagramming
Concept Exploration
“After conducting my research, I initiated the process of affinity diagramming to identify important aspects, characteristics, concepts, and features for my app.”
-
After conducting my research, I initiated the process of affinity diagramming to identify important aspects, characteristics, concepts, and features for my app. I organized my ideas into three categories: what my app should be, concepts, and features. This categorization emerged from translating my thoughts onto index cards.
The outcomes of the affinity diagram formed the core of my app, delineating crucial concepts and features essential for its success. Recognizing that emotional support and a natural chat experience were key, I also understood the necessity of providing users with a comprehensive toolset.
My research introduced me to various productivity and focus-enhancing tools, such as timers, mindfulness techniques, reminders, focus music, distraction-blocking features, task chunking, and SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely). These tools became the fundamental building blocks of my app.
App Description
“ASSIST is an organizational support app designed to empower individuals with the tools necessary to successfully accomplish tasks and cultivate effective working habits.”
-
ASSIST is an organizational support app designed to empower individuals with the tools necessary to successfully accomplish tasks and cultivate effective working habits. Through one-on-one interactions with Chip, the friendly support bot, users can receive personalized guidance on various topics, including task completion, finding motivation, stress management, emotional navigation, and goal setting. In addition to seeking help from Chip through chat, users can access suggested tools conveniently via the Tools tab.
Chip not only aids users in creating a personalized plan but also assists in its execution. Beyond facilitating the development of individual workflows for enhanced productivity, ASSIST provides a Reports tab where users can track trends in their productivity journey. This includes insights into their weekly task completion, time spent on their phone, average time per task, and more.
ASSIST is comprised of four main sections: To Do, Tools, Chip Chat (fun right?), and Stats (with Settings not included in the main four sections). These sections synergize to offer users a comprehensive toolkit for enhancing productivity. Every section is meticulously designed with our target audience in mind, ensuring the most effective and engaging user experience.
graph of task overview
graph of screen time usage
to do tab
tools tab
timer page
focus music page
reminders page
chip chat
reports tab
settings tab
to do tab (task extended)
Key Features
Task Chunking
Chunking is the practice of breaking down a task into smaller, more manageable parts and allocating a specific timeframe to work on each segment.
-
This approach helps individuals avoid distractions and eliminate time wasted on attempting to complete multiple tasks simultaneously. By implementing chunking, one can effectively reduce the distractions associated with multitasking.
Focus Music
Music has demonstrated the ability to enhance memory retention by up to 8%, facilitating the brain's absorption and interpretation of new information.
-
Recognizing this, ASSIST provides users with a dedicated focus music section. Here, users can choose background music to play while working, harnessing the power of music to boost their productivity.
Thought/ Idea Collection
It's common to get sidetracked by thoughts or ideas. ASSIST provides users with a dedicated section to jot down and organize anything that arises while working to save for later.
-
This feature allows users to revisit these notes later and refocus on the task at hand. Additionally, users can inform Chip about any ideas or thoughts they want to remember for later, creating a seamless and supportive work environment.
Mindfulness Meditations
Mindfulness is a potent practice known for its numerous benefits, including stress reduction, enhanced memory, increased focus, and improved cognitive flexibility, among others.
-
ASSIST integrates mindfulness exercises into its features, providing users with a selection of practices to seamlessly incorporate into their daily routine.
Timers
Timers are valuable tools for boosting productivity and effectively chunking time. ASSIST provides users with four distinct timer settings to cater to different needs.
-
The Pomodoro Tracker (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break), a standard timer, a stopwatch, and a task completion timer. These options empower users to gain a better understanding of their time usage and enhance their overall productivity.
Reminders
Reminders play a crucial role in habit formation, and ASSIST leverages this by assisting users in cultivating essential workflow habits.
-
This approach translates to increased productivity and heightened user satisfaction. Users have the flexibility to either ask Chip to set a reminder at a specific time or create reminders themselves, providing a tailored and supportive experience in building and reinforcing positive habits.
Meet Chip!
Who is Chip?
Chip is the name of the support bot that drives ASSIST!
Serving as not just the face but the heart and soul of the app, Chip is there for users when they need support the most. Above all, Chip is a valuable resource for users, aiding them in achieving their goals. Whether users are striving to complete an assignment or navigating intense emotions, Chip is there to provide assistance and guidance.
<Key Features>
task completion
find motivation
release stress
intense emotions
setting goals
Leveraging clinically proven therapy tools, emotional support strategies, and organizational techniques, Chip excels at guiding users through life's most intense emotions and stress-inducing events.
Recognizing that life can sometimes hinder productivity, Chip is equipped to assist users in addressing their mental health using established Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies. The unique aspect of Chip is that, over time, they become more acquainted with users, enabling an increasingly personalized and tailored experience.
<Tone Guide>
Given that Chip is the heart and soul of ASSIST, how they communicate with users is pivotal to the app's success. Chip's tone adapts to the situation, consistently emanating a supportive essence. To create an atmosphere of casualness and intimacy, Chip communicates using all lowercase letters, fostering a sense of ease during conversations.
While aiding users in task completion, Chip maintains a tone that is friendly yet not distracting, intelligent without condescension, and optimistic but not impractical.
When guiding users through emotional navigation, Chip adopts a calming, supportive, and sincere tone. Utilizing emotionally supportive language, Chip ensures that users feel heard and understood.
Target Audience
“While Chip's desire is to assist as many people as possible, their primary focus is on students between the ages of 15-30.”
-
While Chip's desire is to assist as many people as possible, their primary focus is on students between the ages of 15-30. Chip has undergone specialized training to understand and cater to this specific audience. However, Chip is more than happy to provide support to individuals of any age!
The target audience comprises students ranging from the beginning of high school to potentially completing graduate school or entering the workforce. The belief is that the tools provided by ASSIST will be most effective in helping these individuals enhance productivity, build confidence in task completion, and effectively organize their schedules
ASSIST Demo
To showcase all of the amazing features of ASSIST I created a demo that walks you through every page and feature of the app!
Summary
ASSIST equips users with powerful and proven productivity tools designed to foster better workflow habits, empowering them to confidently tackle any project or task that life presents.
-
Chip stands alongside our users every step of the way, not only providing incredible resources but also offering emotional support. Through clinically proven therapy tools, emotional support strategies, and organizational techniques, Chip becomes a reliable support system users can count on.
Dynamic charts enable users to track their progress over time and identify trends in their behavior, granting them the ability to invoke positive changes in their lives. At ASSIST, our users are in the driver's seat—we're just here to assist.