Overview

“Boost your productivity with the Pomodoro App, a sleek and intuitive tool designed to help you stay focused, manage your time effectively, and achieve more with ease.”

The Pomodoro App is a productivity-focused tool designed to help users manage their time effectively using the Pomodoro Technique. With a minimalist interface and smooth functionality, it enhances focus and promotes balanced work habits.

My role: UI Designer, UX Designer
Collaborator: Maria Fernanda Abreu – UX Designer, APP Programmer.
Year: 2021 | Duration: 2 weeks.

Pomodoro technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management tool based on the idea that people can’t be focused for long periods. Inserting some small breaks into their work routines helps them be more productive.

The Italian Franchesco Cirrilo created the method at the end of the 1980s, but it’s still in use, especially by students who use it to improve their study workflow.

Each cycle is formed by 4 Pomodoros and 4 breaks.

  • Each Pomodoro lasts 25 minutes.
  • 4 breaks – 3 first breaks being shorter,5 minutes only, and the last one longer, lasting 15 minutes.

The problem

According to Cirillo’s studies “For many people, time is an enemy. The anxiety caused by the “tic-tac” in the watch, in particular when there is a tiny deadline, leads to ineffective work […] behavior that causes the tendency to procrastinate”. Considering this as a premise, we created a product that is a simple tool that improves the work/study process and boosts the productivity of its users. 

In short: The main problem the Pomodoro App seeks to solve is the inefficiency and procrastination caused by time anxiety when facing deadlines or extended work sessions

The solution

Develop a Pomodoro app designed to address the challenges associated with time management and productivity. The primary goal was to create a user-centered tool that enhances productivity while maintaining simplicity and usability.

The CSD Matrix

We decided to approach this project as a user-centered app development. To ensure this premise, we created a CSD matrix (Certainties – Suppositions – Doubts) to collect inputs and ideas for product development, guaranteeing the creation of something that better responds to customer demands.

The research

To validate all the hypotheses, we developed:

  • Quantitative research with 126 users
  • Interviews with 5 users.

Quantitative Research

The UX team conducted quantitative research online to investigate whether people currently use tools to manage their study routines or focused work sessions. To validate key points, we developed a set of 5 simple yes-or-no questions, to ensure clarity and simplicity in the data collection process. Below are examples of the questions asked:

  • Are you currently studying, working, or preparing for a specific test?
  • Do you use any tools to manage your time?
  • Are you familiar with the Pomodoro technique?
  • Have you ever used the Pomodoro technique?
  • Do you believe your study or focus time could be improved?

Results:

Some data results can be analyzed below:

  • 60% of respondents stated that they are currently studying, working, or preparing for a specific test, indicating a high potential user base for the app.
  • 3% of the respondents use some kind of time management tool.
  • 75% of the respondents are not familiar with the method. Among those who are, only 38% claim to have used the Pomodoro method at least once.
  • 85% of respondents believe their study or focus time could be improved, showing a clear demand for productivity-enhancing solutions.
  •  50% of respondents admitted struggling with procrastination, particularly when facing long study or work sessions.

Insights:

  1. Limited Awareness of Time Management Tools: A significant portion of respondents (97%) do not use any time management tools, highlighting a gap in the adoption of productivity solutions.
  2. High Interest in Productivity Improvement: 85% of respondents believe their study or focus time could be improved, underscoring a strong demand for tools that enhance time management and focus.
  3. Potential User Base: 60% of respondents are actively studying, working, or preparing for a test, suggesting a significant audience that could benefit from a productivity app.

The Interviews

I conducted online unstructured interviews to figure out the behaviors, needs, and pain points of 5 students who are currently preparing for a specific test. During the interviews, several patterns emerged among the potential users of the product. Additionally, the following key insights were validated:

  •  Users are interested in enhancing their study productivity.
  •  Users want access to detailed data that tracks their productivity over time.
  •  Users value the ability to personalize both study and break durations to suit their unique routines and needs.
  •  The target audience predominantly falls within the 15 to 35 age range, making the product appealing to students and young professionals.

These insights helped shape the app’s features, ensuring alignment with user expectations and priorities.

Persona

Using data from research and interviews, we validated the personas and mapped their key interactions with the product along the user journey. This process, grounded in Design Thinking, helped us empathize with users, define their needs, and prototype solutions, ensuring the design aligns with their expectations and creates a more intuitive experience. Ultimately, this approach led us to identify the target audience: students and young professionals aged 15–35 who are looking to improve their productivity and time management

Goals

Based on all the learnings, we established the following main goals for the product: 

Card Sorting

After defining all the functionalities that the product should have, the app taxonomy was organized to ensure a fluid and intuitive navigation.

Navigation Map

To classify the functions in order of priority, a navigation map was created.

User Navigation

To cohesively structure the product features, and to showcase easy navigation, we created a flow that the user must follow to perform their tasks.

The Visual Identity

The idea was to create a simple yet modern visual identity. As the main color, we chose to use orange, which conveys the idea of joy, movement, and desire for action, and is similar to red, a color commonly used due to its association with tomatoes. Dark blue was used as a secondary color, which is associated with intelligence and reliability.  Blue and orange are complementary colors, and by combining the two, we achieved the youthful look we were looking for.

Wireframe

Usability Test

After completing low-fidelity prototypes, usability testing was conducted with 5 potential users.

loved features ❤️

  1. Users loved the minimalist design.
  2. The core functionality of the Pomodoro timer, combined with the customizable break intervals, was well-received.
  3. Users who wanted to track their productivity were happy with the data provided by the app.
  4. Customization of activities by using colors and labels.

to be improved 🧐

  1. Advanced Features for Data Tracking : Some users expressed interest in more advanced analytics, such as tracking productivity over a longer period, setting specific goals, or receiving insights based on work patterns.
  2. Notification and Reminders:  Users suggested adding customizable reminders or push notifications to help them stay on track, especially if they forgot to start or end a Pomodoro session or break. 
  3. Visual Cues for Motivation: A few users felt the app could be more engaging with visual feedback, such as achievement milestones, or gamification elements.
  4. Compatibility Across Devices: Some users requested the app to sync across multiple devices, allowing them to switch between phone, tablet, or computer seamlessly while maintaining session data. 

Mockup

Learnings

According to some people, the main screen (Timer) could have a bolder design, less minimalist.

Some users reported that they missed knowing how the app would look like in dark mode.