Juggle
An app designed to help designers efficiently manage and balance their professional projects, particularly for those looking to start or expand their freelance careers during the COVID-19 pandemic. By integrating a to-do list with a calendar-based task system, Juggle aims to streamline the planning and execution phases of design projects, enabling designers to compete effectively in the online gig economy.
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The challenge was to create a tool that could help designers, especially those entering the freelance market, start projects quickly and stay organized amidst the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The key issue we aimed to solve was the gap between project planning and execution, which often led to inefficiency and delays. Our goal was to design a solution that would allow designers to efficiently manage their tasks and ensure timely project delivery without unnecessary complexity.
Understanding
We began by conducting research with designers who had been impacted by the pandemic and were looking to transition into online gigs. We discovered that a lack of organization, coupled with time-consuming project management processes, was a major barrier for designers trying to start new projects. Designers needed a simple, streamlined platform to quickly kick off new projects, track tasks, and manage their time effectively.
Our research also involved exploring existing project management tools, which often lacked the specificity and efficiency required by design professionals. This led us to focus on integrating both "work" and "side hustle" projects within a single interface while maintaining clarity and organization.
Research
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Wireframing & Ideation: The initial wireframes focused on differentiating between work-related tasks and personal side projects. We wanted to create a clean, intuitive interface that allowed users to view and manage both types of tasks in one space.
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Task System & User Flow: We designed a dynamic system where each design project would be represented as a stack of triangles, which users could toggle through to view different projects. Each project would break down into individual tasks, presented as small, manageable modules to facilitate progress.
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Calendar Integration: To ensure users stayed on track, we integrated a calendar with color-coded deadlines, indicating when tasks were due and helping users prioritize their work.
Design Process
During testing, we learned that a more conventional approach to signifying task urgency—using a color-coded system (red, yellow, green)—was more effective for users. The integration of a dynamic task-completion gauge and crossing-out animations also improved engagement and provided visual satisfaction as users completed tasks. Additionally, we initially planned to incorporate a general to-do list for day-to-day tasks (e.g., "buy groceries"), but after further analysis, we decided to narrow the focus to professional design tasks only. Expanding the app’s scope would have diluted its professional focus and extended the project timeline beyond feasible limits.
User Flow
The prototype featured a clean, intuitive interface with a dashboard that allowed users to easily track project progress. I was specifically responsible for the design and functionality of the dashboard and to-do sections. The design emphasized simplicity and efficiency, incorporating signifiers such as progress indicators and a clear task hierarchy to allow users to quickly navigate their projects. Inspired by the user-friendly design of apps like Duolingo, we applied a minimalist style that prioritized essential information while avoiding clutter. The final prototype allowed users to efficiently manage multiple design projects, track deadlines, and stay motivated with clear visual cues.
Prototype
The final design offered a focused solution for freelance designers to manage their projects more efficiently, helping them navigate the complexities of the gig economy. The project reinforced the importance of narrowing down the scope to deliver a high-quality solution within a limited timeframe. It also taught me the value of clear communication through design—ensuring users could easily interpret and act on the data presented to them.
Juggle is an example of how a targeted approach to design can address specific user needs. By focusing on the unique challenges faced by freelance designers, we created an app that streamlined project management, improved task tracking, and boosted productivity. This project honed my skills in task-oriented design, user flow optimization, and interface simplicity—skills I continue to apply in my design practice today.