I am not affiliated with Google or any of their products. The project is a conceptual re-design for learning purposes.
Project Overview
Role
UX Research
UX/UI design
Usability Testing
Tools
Figma
Timeline
4 months
Background
Google Calendar's UI allows users to manage their events and tasks (similar to to-dos) in the same workspace. Given this intentional compatibility, it would be intuitive for event and task features to share the same basic functionalities—yet the capabilities of tasks fall short in key areas, most notably in their inability to be shared.
The Problem
People with low motivation often struggle with task initiation and productivity.
Without intrinsic motivation, a person may put off a task indefinitely or delay it until the very last moment. When these tasks are treated as such, individuals are in danger of failing to meet personal goals or expectations set by others.
Depending on the environment in which this occurs, this seemingly "failure to act" can result in tangible and intangible consequences for the individual, ranging from negative views of oneself to penalties in the workplace.
When motivation is low, how might I improve someone’s ability to approach tasks and be productive?
Audience
The target audience of this problem includes individuals with psychological constraints that hinder productivity and motivation, as outlined in the Research Methods section.
The Solution
The solution to low motivation and procrastination lies in accountability, which is best upheld through the involvement of others.
Updating Google Calendar's task feature to include task sharing leverages external motivators to encourage task initiation and boost productivity—while on a broader scale, offering the application more functional flexibility and streamlined user flows.
Design Strategy
The development of this project follows the Double Diamond process.
Research Methods
Research Triangulation
Conducting initial research using a triangulation table allows for the utilization of multiple research methods. This approach ensures data diversity, yielding more reliable results.
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Constraints Mapping
Individuals who find starting or completing a task difficult may lack the necessary motivation due to a permanent, temporary or situational constraint. An inclusive solution effectively addresses each degree of constraint.
In some cases, addressing the most severe constraint (permanent) also addresses the remaining constraints of lower severities.
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Personas and Journey Mapping
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Other research methods used:
KWHL Table
Empathy mapping
Spradley matrix
Context scenarios
Design requirements
Early Wireframes
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
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Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
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Usability Testing
User testing was conducted to evaluate the integrity of the implemented solution.
Three participants were presented with a prototype using the mid-fidelity wireframes and were instructed to do the following:
Create a task, name it, and share it with a contact before saving.
Each participant had a different degree of familiarity with the Google Calendar application before testing, which ensured that the final implemented solution was inclusive to users of all digital literacies.
Participant 1
Results:
No prior Google Calendar experience.
The user struggled to initiate the task, specifically was lost on where to go/what to press to create a task.
After reaching the task popup window, naming, sharing and saving the task was straightforward.
High Fidelity Implementations:
Enlarge the main screen's ADD (+) icon so that it can be more quickly and easily noticeable to the user.
Participant 2
Results:
Prior Google Calendar experience, but very minimal.
The user was able to complete the task quickly, correctly, and with no hesitation.
High Fidelity Implementations:
The user had no difficulties and/or concerns.
Participant 3
Results:
Personal and professional Google Calendar experience.
Completing the task was straightforward for the user. However, they were uncomfortable with how the contact information was presented when adding users.
The user considered a new popup “slightly unnecessary” when a simple dropdown menu would serve the same purpose.
High Fidelity Implementations:
Have a dropdown menu for adding guests to a task instead of a new popup window.
Style Guidelines
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Final Design
High-Fidelity Wireframes
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Simulated User Flow
Impact
Productivity Through Accountability
By harnessing the structure, support, and sense of obligation that external accountability provides, the likelihood that individuals take consistent action and maintain productivity increases. In this case, external accountability takes the form of peer involvement in the user's commitments through task sharing.
Versatility for Diverse User Needs
Making tasks shareable improves Google Calendar's versatility by accommodating situations where users want the motivational benefits of involving others in obligations without being restricted by time or schedule constraints—limitations inherent to the only currently shareable feature: events.
Reflection
Empathy is more than a design tool; it is a transformative mindset that drives meaningful innovation.
This design journey exemplified the critical role of empathy in designing inclusive and beneficial solutions. By putting myself in the headspace of the user—through various methods of research—I was better able to consider more diverse perspectives, leading to the development of a solution that accommodates varying levels of motivation and cognitive load among users. This solution enhances the general usability of the platform (Google Calendar) while also reinforcing the broad importance of creating intuitive, equitable experiences for all.
Next Steps
If I were to develop this solution further or revisit it from the start, I would design task sharing to function multi-directionally rather than one-directionally.
As it stands, this solution only allows users to share tasks for the recipient to view. But what if recipients could also edit and contribute to shared tasks? What if senders and recipients could communicate directly within the application? They could share encouragement or provide quick progress updates, improving communication and collaboration efficiency. These features would enhance the interpersonal connections that drive accountability, building on the foundation already established in this solution.