TAB - Take a Breather

OVERVIEW:

An app to manage mental fatigue and emotional transitions by incorporating psychology, color therapy, and breathing techniques.

THE PROBLEM:

Individuals who balance multiple roles, such as being a mother, wife, and professional, often struggle with managing mental fatigue due to the constant switching between tasks. These individuals typically have very little time between responsibilities, requiring them to transition between roles within minutes. This rapid role-switching intensifies the emotional carryover, where feelings from one task or role affect the next, leading to a recency effect. As a result, they find it difficult to fully engage in each task, leading to increased stress, diminished focus, and a sense of overwhelm. Without effective strategies or tools to manage these transitions, they face significant challenges in maintaining balance and perform each role with clarity and focus throughout their day.

THE SOLUTION:

The “TAB – Take A Breather” app tackles the challenges of mental fatigue and emotional carryover by incorporating principles from psychology, color therapy, and yoga. It helps users transition between tasks seamlessly and mentally prepare for upcoming responsibilities within minutes. By utilizing calming colors, guided breathing exercises, and positive affirmations, the app provides users with the energy boost needed to reduce fatigue and improve focus. This approach allows individuals to manage emotional transitions more effectively, enabling them to engage fully in each role with clarity, balance, and improved well-being.

Distribution Channels:

Mobile, Desktop and Smart watch

MY PROCESS:

As the sole designer my role included in-depth competitor research to analyze existing solutions in the market, consult with experts’ psychologists and Art therapists. I worked on the end-to-end design process from project kick-off, research, low fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity interactive prototypes.​

Regular communication and collaboration with the client ensured that the design aligned with their vision, goals, and brand identity, fostering a product that not only met user needs but also satisfied the client's expectations.

PHASE 1 - RESEARCH

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM​

Collaborated with clients and potential users to identify pain points in balancing multiple roles.

​MARKET RESEARCH

Analyzed existing apps to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, focusing on ease and user experience.

​USER ANALYSIS

Conducted surveys and interviews with busy individuals who balance multiple roles to understand their preferences, priorities, and concerns.

PHASE 2 – MAPPING OUT THE SOLUTION AND FLOWS

JOBS TO BE DONE FRAMEWORK

Identified key tasks users need to accomplish, such as identifying current mood, emotional state transition and track performance.

CREATING USER FLOWS

Mapped out user journey to understand how the app can seamlessly integrate into different usage scenarios.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

  • Developed a clear and intuitive information architecture to organize app content and functionalities.

  • Designed user-friendly navigation paths to enhance usability and streamline interactions with essential app features.

PHASE 3 – DESIGN

LOW FIDELITY WIREFRAMES

By focusing on the core functionality and involving the client in the early stages through an iterative process, I ensured that the low-fidelity sketches effectively communicated the app's purpose and align with the client's expectations.
Concentrated on outlining the primary user journey and interactions - like selecting a task, viewing insights and being able to use the app on-the-go. This involved mapping out the key screens and demonstrating how users will navigate through the app.
 
PAPER PROTOTYPE

After aligning on the low-fi wireframes, I created a paper prototype. I worked closely with different teams and potential users to test the prototype to ensure the right flows, interactions and ease of use. The goal was to create simple designs without many distractions with the background colors prominently visible.

​HIGH FIDELITY DESIGNS

Ensured that the high-fidelity designs maintained a cohesive visual identity that aligned with the overall strategy. Consistent use of colors, typography, and imagery across the app creates a unified and recognizable brand presence.
The collaborative approach helped in identifying any misalignments or misunderstandings and helped achieve seamless process in this stage.

PHASE 4 - ITERATION & HANDOFF

DESIGN REFINEMENT

  • Demonstrated and communicated the high-fidelity interactive prototype to the client and a sample set of potential users and that feedback was used to refine and enhance the designs and overall experience.

  • This approach not only helped alignment with the client's expectations for continuous improvement but also helped in ensuring the users' pain points were addressed.

DESIGN HANDOFF​

  • Provided detailed annotations and specifications directly on the design files to clarify design intent, interactions, and any specific requirements, reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation by the engineering team.

  • Conducted live demonstrations during design handoff meetings. Walked the engineering team through the design, explaining key features, user interactions, and any complex elements. This real-time interaction allowed for immediate clarification of doubts and promoted a collaborative environment between designers and engineers.

OUTCOMES

POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE PRODUCT

  • Thorough research and client involvement at the early phases, the project contributed to a deep understanding of user needs and client expectations. By incorporating insights gained from research and collaboration into the design stages, I was able to create a user-centric application with features tailored to meet specific requirements and reduced pain points.

  • A well-managed and seamless handoff from the design stages to the development phase significantly impacted the overall project success. The clarity in the process minimized ambiguity, reduced the chances of misinterpretation, and ultimately led to more efficient development.

MY LEARNING

  • Involving the client from the beginning of the design process was paramount as it not only ensured a clear understanding of their vision and expectations but also minimized the likelihood of rework, fostered a collaborative environment that led to a more efficient and successful project.

  • By combining clear and comprehensive research and documentation, I could ensure that the teams received the necessary information and context to implement the designs accurately.