ShiftFocus, Pomodoro Focus App
Case Study
Overview
An end-to-end mobile app offering Pomodoro-inspired productivity hacks tailored specifically to the needs of people with ADHD and executive functioning challenges
Role
UX/UI Designer
User Research
Timeline
3 weeks
Logo Design
Branding
Prototyping
Wireframing
Problem
As someone with ADHD, I’ve personally experienced how overwhelming and discouraging it can be to manage time, initiate tasks, and follow through on plans—especially in unstructured environments. Even tools like the Pomodoro method, which help many people stay focused, weren’t always effective or consistent for me.
ShiftFocus was born from that challenge: a productivity app designed to support people with ADHD and executive dysfunction. It combines the simplicity of the Pomodoro technique with features specifically tailored to neurodivergent users—like gentle reminders, calming UI, motivational prompts, and distraction-reducing tools.
Research
Methodologies included:
Competitive Analysis
User Interviews
User Personas
POV & HMWs
Competitive Analysis
Overview
Key Insights
Pomofocus is a web-based Pomodoro timer. Its strength lies in its distraction-free, simple interface. However, it lacks personalization, or wellness features.
Flocus offers a more aesthetically pleasing Pomodoro experience with to-do lists and motivational quotes, but its interface can feel rigid and lacks deeper customization or accessibility features.
Headspace, while not a direct competitor, promotes mindfulness and stress reduction through guided meditations. It’s strong in emotional support but not designed for task management or productivity.
ShiftFocus can bridge the gap between structured productivity and emotional support by offering a highly customizable focus system tailored to neurodivergent users—integrating features like progress tracking, gentle encouragement, and wellness tools, all within a calming, low-pressure interface.
User Interviews
Overview
Key Insights
Task Prioritization is Inconsistent
Most users reacted to immediate stimuli (e.g., Slack, email) rather than proactive planning and many created to-do lists but rarely followed them through.
Focus Strategies Are Unreliable
Users tried changing environments, exercising, or body doubling, but these weren't always sustainable or consistent.
Distractions Are Constant
Phone notifications and social media were common culprits and some users said boredom or anxiety from difficult tasks also led them to disengage.
Emotional Toll of Disorganization
Many expressed guilt or shame about not being productive enough, especially when comparing themselves to coworkers.
To better understand how neurodivergent users approach productivity, I interviewed 6 individuals—primarily remote workers between the ages of 25–35—with ADHD or similar executive functioning challenges. The goal of the interviews was to see how they manage task prioritization, what tools they use, what pain points they face, and also identify any emotional or motivational barriers to productivity.
“Starting is the hardest part. I’ll literally sit on the couch thinking about doing the task instead of doing it.”
Ideal Support System
A few users suggested a system that could adapt to their energy levels, while others emphasized the need for apps that celebrate small wins and offer encouragement throughout the day.
User Personas
From the user interviews, two key personas emerged:
Nara (28), is a remote worker who is often derailed by a distractions and competing priorities. She needs consistent prioritization tools to help her reorient after distraction.
Nathan (25) is an engineer with ADHD who struggles to start tasks that feel ambiguous or open-ended. He needs routine to keep him motivated during long periods of unsupervised work.
Both personas share a common struggle with prioritization and often feel overwhelmed when trying to decide where to begin. These insights directly shaped the app’s core design goals: to reduce ambiguity, provide structure, and offer gentle, judgment-free support that helps users take the first step.
Research Synthesis
After conducting and analyzing user interviews, key patterns emerged around difficulty initiating tasks, frequent distractions, and feelings of guilt tied to perceived lack of productivity. Many users shared that they struggle with unclear priorities, often procrastinate due to overwhelm, and crave more structure and positive reinforcement.
POV
As someone with executive dysfunction, I need help starting tasks because I often feel overwhelmed or uncertain where to begin.
HMW
Motivate and support users through task initiation?
POV
HMW
As a remote worker, I need structure because I tend to procrastinate or get easily distracted without a clear workflow.
Provide a distraction-free system that encourages focus?
POV
HMW
As someone with ADHD, I need organizational support because my disorganization creates additional stress and feelings of shame.
Offer judgement-free support and organizational assistance to reduce cognitive load?
Design
The design stage began with user flows, which ultimately inspired the design of the low- and high-fidelity wireframes. Once the flows were established, I moved into branding—developing the name, selecting a color palette, and designing the logo. With the brand identity in place, I created the high-fidelity wireframes.
Revisions were guided by usability testing and feedback, helping to address pain points and improve overall clarity.
User Flows
This user flow demonstrates how a wake-up alarm prompts the user to begin their day by reviewing tasks. These tasks may have been previously added, pulled from calendar integrations, or carried over from the day before. The goal of the alarm is to encourage users to engage with the app first thing in the morning—helping them orient themselves, understand their priorities, and enter the day with a clearer, more organized mindset.
The user can rearrange or add new tasks to their to-do list, allowing them to tailor their day based on shifting priorities or updated goals. This flexibility supports executive functioning by helping users adapt their plans in real time without feeling overwhelmed.
Branding
The branding process for ShiftFocus was grounded in empathy and intentionality, designed to resonate with users who experience ADHD and executive functioning challenges.
This mood board presents a calming, nature-inspired color scheme designed to reflect the values and emotional goals of the app. The palette is dominated by rich and varied greens, which evoke growth, calmness, and organic flow.
The mood is tranquil yet energizing—perfect for users who need support managing ADHD and executive functioning challenges. The photos inspired the color scheme (see below) which was designed to reduce overwhelm and invite users into a space that feels both structured and gentle.
The name ShiftFocus was chosen to reflect the core idea of gently redirecting attention—away from frustration and self-judgment, and toward clarity, self-compassion, and progress.
It also plays into the common ADHD experience of rapidly shifting thoughts, reframing that trait as something that can be supported rather than suppressed.
To ensure accessibility, the app uses Lexend Deca, a clean, dyslexia-friendly typeface that prioritizes legibility and reduces cognitive load. The brand values—inclusivity, progress over perfection, and compassion—are woven throughout the visual and interaction design, encouraging users to celebrate small wins and build sustainable focus habits without shame or pressure.
Low Fidelity Wireframes
The wireframes highlight core features including a task list, Pomodoro timer, and a built-in breathing exercise tool to support self-care and focus. The decision to design a mobile app was intentional—its portability allows users to stay anchored throughout the day, whether they’re transitioning between tasks or recovering from a moment of distraction. Incorporating an alarm feature also ensures the app can integrate into a user’s morning routine, reinforcing structure from the very start of their day.
High Fidelity Wireframes
The final deliverable was a high-fidelity prototype, and branded design system.
Usability Testing & Revisions
Overview
Key Insights
The next step was usability tests with five participants. Tasks included adding a to-do item, starting a focus timer, using the “I’m Stuck” button, and reviewing motivational messages.
Users responded positively to the app’s calming visuals and simple layout, noting reduced cognitive overload.
All participants completed task entry in under 30 seconds, though some were unsure if tasks saved automatically and found the pencil icon for editing unclear. To improve this, I included save confirmations and allowed full-row tap to edit.
The focus timer was intuitive, however, users were confused by the “I’m Stuck” button and task detail overflow. This was addressed through clearer labels and embedded guidance.
The breathing feature was calming but felt too abrupt. To account for this, smoother animations were added.
Overall, navigation was smooth. The profile page was well understood, and overall satisfaction averaged 4.4/5.
Final Thoughts
One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of focus—not just for users, but for me as a designer. It was tempting to include every possible feature, but narrowing the scope helped me deliver something more cohesive and meaningful. I learned to trust that small, intentional details often make the biggest impact. Additionally, by designing with empathy and staying grounded in real user feedback, my designs felt like something that could be not just useful, but also supportive.
Looking ahead, I’d love to:
Expand the prototype to support different task types and focus modes, to reflect the many ways people work.
Revisit the Wellness page and dig deeper into what emotional support tools are most helpful.