Hocus Pocus Focus
Productivity App Case Study
I created this app as a personal case study to test new methodologies to empower employees to achieve their daily personal and business project goals. With easy-to-use, inspiring, and enjoyable productivity tools, the feelings of constant fear and the pressures of important deadlines are a thing of the past.
THE CHALLENGE
Photo credits from Unsplash
Louis Hansel
Arlington Research
Gaurang Alat
Klaudi Piaskowska
Nihal Demirci
OVERVIEW
A simple to use creativity driven platform that instantly connects the user to images, music, mantras, food suggestions, vibration and meditation. These sensory tools use a pattern breaking system to guide you out of the wormhole and towards your project goals.
My Role
UX/UI Design
Research
Information Architecture
Interaction Design
Web Design
Branding
Tools
Figma
Adobe Illustrator
PowerPoint
Premiere Pro
Project Dates
June - July 2025
CONTEXT
Focus, Focus, Focus! Easier said than done. In today’s business environments, for many people staying focused on the tasks at hand can be extremely difficult. With the immense number internet, workplace and personal life distractions, finding a solution for the many countless hours wasted for with procrastination can feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to break the habit for their selves to focus, many workers allow the there minds to wonder aimlessly throughout their day. Leaving so many goals unaccomplished.
Does this sound familiar?
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How can a web and mobile based app improve focus and long term productivity while deterring so many attention magnets?
Who is affected by the problem?
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Distractions affect everyone. It is common for many to experience lack of focus in one’s work environment. For those that have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) or other attention disorders such ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) these challenge with focus, attention and learning can be overwhelming.
When does this problem occur?
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Distractions are everyday occurrence and can happen multiple times a day. Especially when tasked with important crucial deadlines and unwanted responsibilities.
Where does this problem occur?
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Traditionally distractions mostly tend to occur at work and in school environments. However, more and more people are finding it hard to focus in their home environment, while driving, reading, watching some entrainment or just in conversation.
Why does this problem occur?
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The cause of daily distractions is a extensive list of reasons. Multitasking, social media and email surfing, cluttered workspace, coworker and general interruptions and noise are just a few. Stress and anxiety tends to lead in uncertainty causing the mind to wander and lose focus.
Why is this problem important?
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Your life depends on your mind being healthy, fully cognitive, and able to make crucial decisions. When you are not able to perform of highest level of ability it can affect the outcome of many important business outcome but personal ones as well, ultimately leading to negative circumstances.
GOAL
The goal is to create a platform to dissolve the wormhole and bring the productive performance into the forefront. Everyone learning is driven be different types of the stimulus. This app allows you to find out what sensory tool is optimal for you. Whether it’s visual, auditory, haptic, dietary or through meditation distractions and procrastination can no longer problematic. Short and long term goal achievements will become any everyday normal occurrence.
Often times outside stimulus can keep employees from completing their daily responsibilities throughout our day. Going down the wormhole can be a huge culprit. Once you’re stuck in it, it’s hard to get out.
MY DESIGN PROCESS
RESEARCH
After evaluating several extensive research studies on what causes lose of focus and ultimately prolonged bouts of procrastination has presented many intriguing and important issue. The list of factors that can impact productivity, progress and success is growing with the influx of technology and social media.
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INSPIRATION
The app is not the only app on the market of it's kind. However it is the only one that combines all the tools from the top productivity apps. Using these as the base model has led to the ideation and exploration of new key features in creation and productivity.
EMPATHY MAPS
In creating the empathy maps, I discovered many user emotions and wants and needs seems to be very much in alignment with several other in the test group. Though not every wants the same thing most people are driven by success and failure, happiness and fear paradigms.
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INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
I view information architecture as the skeletal system of a website or mobile app. Once the main categories were carefully chosen, I added the practical subcategories and site features to create a storyline type structure for the user to easily navigate through. In end, the goal is to create the most positive and memorable experience that the user looks forward to returning to.
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SKETCHES
& WIREFRAMES
After the research and UX portions of the development were complete, I began creating the dynamic visual interface. Several ideations of sketches and wireframes were examined to create an interface that was not over complicated and kept the user focused on the reason they are using the app in the first place.
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DESIGN SYSTEM
& BRANDING
The goal, finding colors that are soothing and promote productivity and concentration. The four basic food groups for the eyes are green, blue, orange and yellow have been proven to stimulate brain function, mood and energy.
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HIGH FIDELITY
SCREENS
Applying the color, fonts and branding to the wireframes is an exciting process for me, as the mobile app come to life. The designs is no longer feel lifeless and static but present a creative, artistic and emotional expression for the user to interact with.
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PROTOTYPING
& INTERACTION
As I near the completion of the design phase, the prototyping and process is incredibly rewarding. It's gratifying to see my vision come to life in the hands of the user. Each UX audit brings valuable feedback that presents new developments and challenges, aiding in the creation of a fully effective product tool for success.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Unified and Simplified Design System
The goal was achieved in creating a visual experience that promotes the focus and productivity needs of the end user. The color palette of calm dynamic colors and simplified application tools keeps the user working efficiently and creating effortlessly.
New Productivity and Creation Tools
The development of a wide range of new productivity tools, including a unique internet app blocker, a notification blocker, and a daily task scheduler, has proven to be highly effective. The Creation Station's extensive toolbox of creative sensory tools and methods is unmatched by any other app on the market.
Nurturing Effective Time Management
Time is not just money; in many cases, it is far more valuable. With this new production platform, users will discover that they can find those free hours to focus on the things that matter most to them.
Endless Creative Freedom
Where your focus goes, your creative energy flows. It is incredibly rewarding to design a tool that empowers users to find inspiration and manifest their vision into a finished product.
Nick Gisonde
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