Screen Ease Case Study - Helping Users Manage Screen Time Effectively
Timeline
September-October 2024 (5 weeks)
Problem
Managing Screen Time is Challenging
In today’s digital world, people spend long hours on screens without realizing it. This can lead to fatigue, burnout, and decreased productivity. Users often find it hard to monitor their screen time and forget to take breaks. There is a need for a simple tool to help people track screen usage and encourage healthy breaks to maintain their well-being.
Solution
Screen Ease – Track Time, Take Breaks, Stay Healthy
Screen Ease is a browser extension and web app that helps users monitor screen time and take regular breaks. With easy-to-use features, it promotes healthy digital habits and improves productivity.
Check Your Screen Time Anytime
Take Breaks Easily
View Analytics & Usage Trends
Secondary Research
Insights on Screen Time Trends and Impacts
This secondary research examines key findings from two significant research studies focusing on screen time behaviours and their effects, particularly among IT professionals in India and globally. The insights gathered highlight the challenges associated with excessive screen time and the trends that have emerged over the years, providing a comprehensive view of how screen-based activities have evolved and their implications on health and productivity.
Key Insights from Research
Impact on IT Professionals in India:
- 35.5% spend 8-10 hours daily on screens, causing health issues.
- 79% experience eye strain, headaches, or dry eyes.
- 67.56% report neck, back, or shoulder pain.
Global Trends (2012-2019):
- Daily screen time increased from 9 to 11 hours.
- Highest usage among the 16-34 age group.
- Mobile phone use surged globally by 2 hours per day.
Competitor Analysis
Learning from Others to Build a Better Solution
This competitor analysis helped identify the strengths and gaps in existing screen time management tools. By studying these tools, Screen Ease can combine the best features while addressing areas of improvement to offer a more balanced solution focused on wellness and productivity.
User personas and stories
User personas to capture different perspectives
These personas shaped my decisions to keep the interface simple and focused on actionable insights.
Wireframes
Laying the Foundation
I created wireframes for key screens, including the browser extension, dashboard, analytics, customization, and account settings. These blueprints helped organize the content and user flows effectively.
Iterations
Refining for Simplicity and Usability
Browser Extension
- Initially planned to create separate homepage and settings screens.
- Simplified into a single extension screen showing key stats (screen time, break status, and start/stop buttons).
- Users can access detailed settings via the dashboard.
Dashboard Design
- Originally planned to have a separate recommendations card.
- Integrated small recommendations within other cards to keep the layout clean (e.g., in screen time overview cards).
Mid-Fidelity Designs
Bringing Concepts to Life
I improved the wireframes while creating mid-fidelity designs. I also designed additional screens, including break notifications, onboarding, and edge cases for the web app. These iterations refined the overall layout and functionality.
High-Fidelity Mockups
Showcasing the Vision
- Using dark mode as the primary theme, I created high-fidelity designs with detailed style guides. These included:
- Color palettes, typography, and logo.
- Icons and illustrations to enhance the user interface.
- These mockups offer a complete visual representation of the final product.
Interactive Prototype
Explore the Experience
Here is the link of Figma prototype. Please explore it and share any feedback or suggestions. Your insights will help refine the user experience.
Reflection and Conclusion
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Working on Screen Ease was a valuable experience, teaching me about designing for well-being and promoting healthy screen habits. Future improvements include refining features, adding a light mode, and offering more customization based on feedback. This project enhanced my skills as a designer and problem-solver, and I look forward to applying these insights in future work.