Timie

Timie

Timie

A productivity app that helps students manage time without burning out.

A productivity app that helps students manage time without burning out.

A productivity app that helps students manage time without burning out.

Timeline

June–Sep 2023

June–Sep 2023

Role

UX/UI Designer, UX Researcher

UX/UI Designer, UX Researcher

Type

Academic Project

Academic Project

Constraints

Constraints

Limited testing, tight timeline

Limited testing, tight timeline

The Problem

The Problem

The Problem

Students know they should manage time better, but often don’t, and feel worse for it.

Students know they should manage time better, but often don’t, and feel worse for it.

Students know they should manage time better, but often don’t, and feel worse for it.

University students (myself included!) often struggle with time management despite understanding its importance. Procrastination, poor planning, and digital distractions create a cycle that affects not just grades, but also self-esteem, mental well-being, and motivation.

University students (myself included!) often struggle with time management despite understanding its importance. Procrastination, poor planning, and digital distractions create a cycle that affects not just grades, but also self-esteem, mental well-being, and motivation.

University students (myself included!) often struggle with time management despite understanding its importance. Procrastination, poor planning, and digital distractions create a cycle that affects not just grades, but also self-esteem, mental well-being, and motivation.

Studies show that over 80% of university students report moderate to high levels of procrastination, and more than 50% experience stress related to time management.

Studies show that over 80% of university students report moderate to high levels of procrastination, and more than 50% experience stress related to time management.

Studies show that over 80% of university students report moderate to high levels of procrastination, and more than 50% experience stress related to time management.

Even though there are dozens of productivity apps out there, many feel too rigid, overwhelming, or disconnected from students’ lived reality. Instead of helping, they become another task to juggle.

Even though there are dozens of productivity apps out there, many feel too rigid, overwhelming, or disconnected from students’ lived reality. Instead of helping, they become another task to juggle.

Even though there are dozens of productivity apps out there, many feel too rigid, overwhelming, or disconnected from students’ lived reality. Instead of helping, they become another task to juggle.

Why Timie? Competitor Analysis

Why Timie? Competitor Analysis

Why Timie? Competitor Analysis

The market has timers. It has task lists. What it doesn't have is both, with emotional support built in.

The market has timers. It has task lists. What it doesn't have is both, with emotional support built in.

The market has timers. It has task lists. What it doesn't have is both, with emotional support built in.

Focus Timer
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Focus Timer
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Task Management
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Task Management
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Mood / Wellbeing
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Task Management
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Emotional Tone
ForestNeutral
FloraNeutral
TodoistFunctional
TimieWarm & supportive
Task Management
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Student-Focused
ForestPartial
FloraPartial
Todoist
Timie
Task Management
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Gamification
ForestTrees 🌳
FloraTrees 🌳
TodoistKarma points
TimiePet companion 🐾
Forest
Flora
Todoist
Timie
Focus Timer
Task Management
Mood / Wellbeing
Emotional ToneNeutralNeutralFunctionalWarm & supportive
Student-FocusedPartialPartial
GamificationTrees 🌳Trees 🌳Karma pointsPet companion 🐾

All three apps solve one piece of the puzzle. Forest and Flora help you focus during a session. Todoist helps you organise what to do. None of them ask how you're feeling or use that to help you study better. Timie combines focus, tasks, and emotional wellbeing into one calm, student-centred experience.

All three apps solve one piece of the puzzle. Forest and Flora help you focus during a session. Todoist helps you organise what to do. None of them ask how you're feeling or use that to help you study better. Timie combines focus, tasks, and emotional wellbeing into one calm, student-centred experience.

All three apps solve one piece of the puzzle. Forest and Flora help you focus during a session. Todoist helps you organise what to do. None of them ask how you're feeling or use that to help you study better. Timie combines focus, tasks, and emotional wellbeing into one calm, student-centred experience.

The Goal

The Goal

The Goal

Create a productivity tool that supports both focus and emotional wellbeing, not one at the cost of the other.

Create a productivity tool that supports both focus and emotional wellbeing, not one at the cost of the other.

Create a productivity tool that supports both focus and emotional wellbeing, not one at the cost of the other.

While there are many apps for task management and time tracking, most are rigid, stressful, or overly gamified. I wanted to build something more human, a tool that encourages students to show up consistently, while also being gentle and emotionally supportive.

While there are many apps for task management and time tracking, most are rigid, stressful, or overly gamified. I wanted to build something more human, a tool that encourages students to show up consistently, while also being gentle and emotionally supportive.

While there are many apps for task management and time tracking, most are rigid, stressful, or overly gamified. I wanted to build something more human, a tool that encourages students to show up consistently, while also being gentle and emotionally supportive.

The goal was to make study time feel intentional, not overwhelming, using design to build habits without burnout.

The goal was to make study time feel intentional, not overwhelming, using design to build habits without burnout.

The goal was to make study time feel intentional, not overwhelming, using design to build habits without burnout.

The Solution

The Solution

The Solution

What if a timer could also help with your mental health?

What if a timer could also help with your mental health?

What if a timer could also help with your mental health?

TIMIE is a mobile app designed to help students develop sustainable study habits through focus, reflection, and encouragement.

TIMIE is a mobile app designed to help students develop sustainable study habits through focus, reflection, and encouragement.

TIMIE is a mobile app designed to help students develop sustainable study habits through focus, reflection, and encouragement.

🎯 Organize your day with Study Blocks and a Focus Timer

🎯 Organize your day with Study Blocks and a Focus Timer

🎯 Organize your day with Study Blocks and a Focus Timer

Students can break their day into Study Blocks, grouping tasks by project or subject. Each block can be paired with a Focus Timer, helping them build momentum without pressure. Tasks are tracked and streaks are celebrated, turning progress into a satisfying ritual.

Students can break their day into Study Blocks, grouping tasks by project or subject. Each block can be paired with a Focus Timer, helping them build momentum without pressure. Tasks are tracked and streaks are celebrated, turning progress into a satisfying ritual.

Students can break their day into Study Blocks, grouping tasks by project or subject. Each block can be paired with a Focus Timer, helping them build momentum without pressure. Tasks are tracked and streaks are celebrated, turning progress into a satisfying ritual.

Study without pressure

Feelings matter…

Build self-awareness through Mood Check-ins and Reports

Build self-awareness through Mood Check-ins and Reports

Build self-awareness through Mood Check-ins and Reports

Before and after studying, TIMIE prompts students to reflect on their mood. These moments of pause fuel weekly Reports that help them understand how their focus and feelings are connected, making it easier to plan realistically.

Before and after studying, TIMIE prompts students to reflect on their mood. These moments of pause fuel weekly Reports that help them understand how their focus and feelings are connected, making it easier to plan realistically.

Before and after studying, TIMIE prompts students to reflect on their mood. These moments of pause fuel weekly Reports that help them understand how their focus and feelings are connected, making it easier to plan realistically.

🌱Stay motivated with a Pet Companion and Rewards

🌱Stay motivated with a Pet Companion and Rewards

🌱Stay motivated with a Pet Companion and Rewards

Students are joined by a virtual pet that grows as they stay consistent. Along the way, they unlock fun rewards like pet accessories and achievement badges, celebrating healthy habits in a gentle, playful way.

Students are joined by a virtual pet that grows as they stay consistent. Along the way, they unlock fun rewards like pet accessories and achievement badges, celebrating healthy habits in a gentle, playful way.

Students are joined by a virtual pet that grows as they stay consistent. Along the way, they unlock fun rewards like pet accessories and achievement badges, celebrating healthy habits in a gentle, playful way.

Stay Motivated!

Unpacking the Challenge

Unpacking the Challenge

Unpacking the Challenge

Real stories from real students shaped everything.

Real stories from real students shaped everything.

Real stories from real students shaped everything.

User Research

User Research

User Research

I interviewed 10 university students and surveyed 23 to understand their productivity habits, emotional blockers, and what support they actually wanted.

I interviewed 10 university students and surveyed 23 to understand their productivity habits, emotional blockers, and what support they actually wanted.

I interviewed 10 university students and surveyed 23 to understand their productivity habits, emotional blockers, and what support they actually wanted.

User Interview

Key insights

Key insights

Key insights

Key insights

1. Students Face Heavy Workloads and High Stress

1. Students Face Heavy Workloads and High Stress

1. Students Face Heavy Workloads and High Stress

Balancing coursework, internships, and personal life leads to significant stress, especially during challenging semesters. External pressures like strikes add to the burden, making effective time management essential.

Balancing coursework, internships, and personal life leads to significant stress, especially during challenging semesters. External pressures like strikes add to the burden, making effective time management essential.

Balancing coursework, internships, and personal life leads to significant stress, especially during challenging semesters. External pressures like strikes add to the burden, making effective time management essential.

2. Motivation and Distractions Shape Study Habits

2. Motivation and Distractions Shape Study Habits

2. Motivation and Distractions Shape Study Habits

While motivation comes from learning, grades, and accomplishment, students constantly battle distractions from social events to smartphones that interrupt focus and productivity.

While motivation comes from learning, grades, and accomplishment, students constantly battle distractions from social events to smartphones that interrupt focus and productivity.

While motivation comes from learning, grades, and accomplishment, students constantly battle distractions from social events to smartphones that interrupt focus and productivity.

3. Desire for Flexible, Supportive Tools

3. Desire for Flexible, Supportive Tools

3. Desire for Flexible, Supportive Tools

Students want adaptable features like adjustable timers, motivational feedback, gentle reminders, and distraction blockers. They also look for tools that help prioritize, track progress, and encourage self-care for sustainable study routines.

Students want adaptable features like adjustable timers, motivational feedback, gentle reminders, and distraction blockers. They also look for tools that help prioritize, track progress, and encourage self-care for sustainable study routines.

Students want adaptable features like adjustable timers, motivational feedback, gentle reminders, and distraction blockers. They also look for tools that help prioritize, track progress, and encourage self-care for sustainable study routines.

How Behavioral Design Shaped Timie’s Features

How Behavioral Design Shaped Timie’s Features

How Behavioral Design Shaped Timie’s Features

Timie uses behavioral design to gently guide students toward healthier study patterns. I mapped research insights into design principles like:

Timie uses behavioral design to gently guide students toward healthier study patterns. I mapped research insights into design principles like:

From Problems —> To Psychology —> To Solutions

From Problems —> To Psychology —> To Solutions

Problem

Problem

Behavioral Insight

Behavioral Insight

Design Decision

Design Decision

Overwhelm at task list

Overwhelm at task list

Chunking helps cognitive processing

Chunking helps cognitive processing

Tasks broken down into “microtasks”

Tasks broken down into “microtasks”

Avoiding study sessions

Avoiding study sessions

Commitment devices increase follow-through

Commitment devices increase follow-through

Study sessions booked ahead like appointments

Study sessions booked ahead like appointments

Stress from inactivity

Stress from inactivity

Self-compassion reduces burnout

Self-compassion reduces burnout

Encouraging microcopy and calming visuals

Encouraging microcopy and calming visuals

Dropping off after a few uses

Dropping off after a few uses

Immediate reward boosts habit formation

Immediate reward boosts habit formation

Post-session screen with motivational summary

Post-session screen with motivational summary

Problem: Overwhelm at task list

Insight: Chunking helps cognitive processing.

Decision: Tasks broken down into “microtasks”

Problem: Avoiding study sessions

Insight: Commitment devices increase follow-through.

Decision: Study sessions booked ahead like appointments.

Problem: Stress from inactivity

Insight: Self-compassion reduces burnout.

Decision: Encouraging microcopy and calming visuals.

Problem: Dropping off after a few uses

Insight: Immediate reward boosts habit formation

Decision: Post-session screen with motivational summary

I was inspired by BJ Fogg’s behavior model and emotional design principles by Don Norman.

I was inspired by BJ Fogg’s behavior model and emotional design principles by Don Norman.

I was inspired by BJ Fogg’s behavior model and emotional design principles by Don Norman.

✨ From Insight to Interface

✨ From Insight to Interface

✨ From Insight to Interface

Turning research into a calm, intuitive product experience.

Turning research into a calm, intuitive product experience.

Turning research into a calm, intuitive product experience.

Timie’s structure reflects the behavioral principles behind it. Designed around four key modules that gently guide students through their day with clarity, calm, and focus.

Timie’s structure reflects the behavioral principles behind it. Designed around four key modules that gently guide students through their day with clarity, calm, and focus.

Timie’s structure reflects the behavioral principles behind it. Designed around four key modules that gently guide students through their day with clarity, calm, and focus.

Information Architecture & User Flow

Information Architecture & User Flow

Information Architecture & User Flow

Home Dashboard

Home Dashboard

Task Management Hub

Task Management Hub

Planning Fallacy

Planning Fallacy

—> Projects Overview

—>Task Lists (with subtasks)

—>Deadlines & Calendar View

—>Priority Settings

—>Task Batching (by context/type)

—> Projects Overview

—>Task Lists (with subtasks)

—>Deadlines & Calendar View

—>Priority Settings

—>Task Batching (by context/type)

Motivation Center

Motivation Center

Goal Gradient Effect

Goal Gradient Effect

Nudge Theory

Nudge Theory

—> Virtual Pet Dashboard

—>Rewards & Achievements

—>Deadlines & Calendar View

—>Daily Streak Tracker

—>Encouraging Nudges / Messages

—> Virtual Pet Dashboard

—>Rewards & Achievements

—>Deadlines & Calendar View

—>Daily Streak Tracker

—>Encouraging Nudges / Messages

Focus Enhancement Zone

Focus Enhancement Zone

Ego Depletion

Ego Depletion

—> Focus Timer (Pomodoro-style)

—>Distraction Blockers

—>Deadlines & Calendar View

—>Break Suggestions

—>Energy Check-ins & Encouraging UI

—> Focus Timer (Pomodoro-style)

—>Distraction Blockers

—>Deadlines & Calendar View

—>Break Suggestions

—>Energy Check-ins & Encouraging UI

Analytics & Insights

Analytics & Insights

Affective Design

Affective Design

Habit Formation

Habit Formation

—> Progress Visualization (graphs, badges)

—>Mood-Based Suggestions

—>Productivity Trends

—>Personalized Insights

—> Progress Visualization (graphs, badges)

—>Mood-Based Suggestions

—>Productivity Trends

—>Personalized Insights

Building the Brand Behind Timie

Building the Brand Behind Timie

Building the Brand Behind Timie

#89CFF0

#EDEBEB

#0070BD

#007C34

Colour - Calm by Design

Colour - Calm by Design

Colour - Calm by Design

Soft, airy blues paired with clean whites and light neutrals. Blue signals focus, trust, and mental clarity, exactly what students need when sitting down to do the work. No visual noise. No unnecessary tension.

Soft, airy blues paired with clean whites and light neutrals. Blue signals focus, trust, and mental clarity, exactly what students need when sitting down to do the work. No visual noise. No unnecessary tension.

Soft, airy blues paired with clean whites and light neutrals. Blue signals focus, trust, and mental clarity, exactly what students need when sitting down to do the work. No visual noise. No unnecessary tension.

Typography - Friendly but Focused Cabin Bold

Typography - Friendly but Focused Cabin Bold

Typography - Friendly but Focused Cabin Bold

Warm, legible, and confident without feeling cold. Its rounded letterforms carry Timie's softness all the way down to the smallest microcopy nudge.

Warm, legible, and confident without feeling cold. Its rounded letterforms carry Timie's softness all the way down to the smallest microcopy nudge.

Warm, legible, and confident without feeling cold. Its rounded letterforms carry Timie's softness all the way down to the smallest microcopy nudge.

Shape & Interaction

Shape & Interaction

Shape & Interaction

Rounded corners on every card and button signal safety over urgency. Gentle micro-animations, a timer that eases in, a pet that bounces softly make the app feel alive and quietly encouraging.

Rounded corners on every card and button signal safety over urgency. Gentle micro-animations, a timer that eases in, a pet that bounces softly make the app feel alive and quietly encouraging.

Rounded corners on every card and button signal safety over urgency. Gentle micro-animations, a timer that eases in, a pet that bounces softly make the app feel alive and quietly encouraging.

🧪 Testing with Students to Refine What Actually Works

🧪 Testing with Students to Refine What Actually Works

🧪 Testing with Students to Refine What Actually Works

I brought Timie in front of real students to see what resonated and what didn’t. Through two rounds of testing (low- and high-fidelity), I gathered feedback on usability, emotional tone, and how well the features aligned with student needs.

Here’s how real feedback shaped real design changes:

I brought Timie in front of real students to see what resonated and what didn’t. Through two rounds of testing (low- and high-fidelity), I gathered feedback on usability, emotional tone, and how well the features aligned with student needs.

Here’s how real feedback shaped real design changes:

🧠 “I didn’t know how to select or remove tasks.”

🧠 “I didn’t know how to select or remove tasks.”

“The mechanism for selecting and deleting tasks in the study block was really confusing.”

“The mechanism for selecting and deleting tasks in the study block was really confusing.”

What I observed:

What I observed:

Many users completely missed the task selection toggles. Some tried to swipe or long-press, others assumed they had to delete and start over.

Many users completely missed the task selection toggles. Some tried to swipe or long-press, others assumed they had to delete and start over.

What I changed:

What I changed:

✅ Removed unnecessary checkboxes.

✅ Made selection radios more visible.

✅ Added a clear “Add Task” CTA with guidance.

✅ Removed unnecessary checkboxes.

✅ Made selection radios more visible.

✅ Added a clear “Add Task” CTA with guidance.

👀 “Too many things happening on this page”

👀 “Too many things happening on this page”

👀 “Too many things happening on this page”

“When I open this page, there are too many elements to look at.”

“When I open this page, there are too many elements to look at.”

“When I open this page, there are too many elements to look at.”

What I observed:

What I observed:

What I observed:

The Study Block home screen caused cognitive overload. Users hesitated before interacting and missed key actions because the layout felt too busy.

The Study Block home screen caused cognitive overload. Users hesitated before interacting and missed key actions because the layout felt too busy.

The Study Block home screen caused cognitive overload. Users hesitated before interacting and missed key actions because the layout felt too busy.

What I changed:

What I changed:

What I changed:

✅ Simplified the overall layout

✅ Decluttered timer controls

✅ Grouped related actions for smoother scanning

✅ Simplified the overall layout

✅ Decluttered timer controls

✅ Grouped related actions for smoother scanning

✅ Simplified the overall layout

✅ Decluttered timer controls

✅ Grouped related actions for smoother scanning

🐶 “The pets are cute but distracting”

🐶 “The pets are cute but distracting”

🐶 “The pets are cute but distracting”

“I sometimes find it hard to focus on my tasks with the presence of pets in the timer.”

“I sometimes find it hard to focus on my tasks with the presence of pets in the timer.”

“I sometimes find it hard to focus on my tasks with the presence of pets in the timer.”

What I observed:

What I observed:

What I observed:

While the pet feature added charm and emotional support, its presence during focus time pulled attention away from the actual goal: deep work.

While the pet feature added charm and emotional support, its presence during focus time pulled attention away from the actual goal: deep work.

While the pet feature added charm and emotional support, its presence during focus time pulled attention away from the actual goal: deep work.

What I changed:

What I changed:

What I changed:

✅ Removed pets from focus mode

✅ Introduced a soothing gradient background

✅ Made the timer cleaner, calmer, and more intentional

✅ Removed pets from focus mode

✅ Introduced a soothing gradient background

✅ Made the timer cleaner, calmer, and more intentional

✅ Removed pets from focus mode

✅ Introduced a soothing gradient background

✅ Made the timer cleaner, calmer, and more intentional

Takeaway

Takeaway

Takeaway

Testing wasn't about removing charm, it was keeping focus, reducing friction and making Timie truly work for students.

Testing wasn't about removing charm, it was keeping focus, reducing friction and making Timie truly work for students.

Testing wasn't about removing charm, it was keeping focus, reducing friction and making Timie truly work for students.

🌱 Outcome & Reflection

🌱 Outcome & Reflection

🌱 Outcome & Reflection

Real students. Real reactions. Real change.

Real students. Real reactions. Real change.

Real students. Real reactions. Real change.

After two rounds of iteration, I brought the refined hi-fi prototype back to 5 students for a final round of testing. The difference was noticeable , not just in how they used the app, but in how they felt using it.

After two rounds of iteration, I brought the refined hi-fi prototype back to 5 students for a final round of testing. The difference was noticeable , not just in how they used the app, but in how they felt using it.

After two rounds of iteration, I brought the refined hi-fi prototype back to 5 students for a final round of testing. The difference was noticeable , not just in how they used the app, but in how they felt using it.

🏁 25% Faster Task Completion

🏁 25% Faster Task Completion

🏁 25% Faster Task Completion

Students moved through study block setup and timer flows noticeably faster after the layout simplifications , less hesitation, fewer wrong taps.

Students moved through study block setup and timer flows noticeably faster after the layout simplifications , less hesitation, fewer wrong taps.

Students moved through study block setup and timer flows noticeably faster after the layout simplifications , less hesitation, fewer wrong taps.

80%+ Drop in Errors & Confusion

🏁 25% Faster Task Completion

🏁 25% Faster Task Completion

Redesigned task selection, clearer CTAs, and a decluttered home screen meant users rarely got stuck, a stark contrast to early testing sessions.

Redesigned task selection, clearer CTAs, and a decluttered home screen meant users rarely got stuck, a stark contrast to early testing sessions.

Redesigned task selection, clearer CTAs, and a decluttered home screen meant users rarely got stuck, a stark contrast to early testing sessions.

💛 3 in 5 Students Said "I'd Use This Daily"

🏁 25% Faster Task Completion

🏁 25% Faster Task Completion

Unprompted, multiple students said Timie felt different from other productivity apps; less like a to-do list, more like something that was rooting for them.

Unprompted, multiple students said Timie felt different from other productivity apps; less like a to-do list, more like something that was rooting for them.

Unprompted, multiple students said Timie felt different from other productivity apps; less like a to-do list, more like something that was rooting for them.

Working on Timie taught me to:

Working on Timie taught me to:

Working on Timie taught me to:

This project shaped me as much as the product did. Timie was my first full end-to-end UX project, and it taught me that the most powerful design decisions aren't always visual , sometimes they're a single line of copy that makes someone feel less alone at 11pm trying to start an essay.

What I'd do differently:

What I'd do differently:

What I'd do differently:

  • Allow more time for high-fidelity polish

  • Run research and testing in tighter parallel loops, not sequentially

  • Explore accessibility earlier - calm design should be inclusive design

If I continued, I’d explore:

If I continued, I’d explore:

If I continued, I’d explore:

  • More personalization, like adapting to users’ energy levels

  • Community features to boost study accountability

  • Calendar integration for smoother task management

  • More personalization, like adapting to users’ energy levels

  • Community features to boost study accountability

  • Calendar integration for smoother task management

  • More personalization, like adapting to users’ energy levels

  • Community features to boost study accountability

  • Calendar integration for smoother task management

Future Ideas💡

💛

💛

💛

Thanks for reading Timie’s story! Here’s to more mindful, joyful productivity.

Thanks for reading Timie’s story! Here’s to more mindful, joyful productivity.

Thanks for reading Timie’s story! Here’s to more mindful, joyful productivity.

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