Setup Pages
Manage Time Schedule Tutorial
ABC Listen App Home
Smart Flow Intro 1
Smart Flow Intro 2
Smart Flow Intro 3
Calendar Setup
Health Data Setup
Media Preference Setup
Media Preference Setup
Setup Complete
The “Smart Flow” setup page enables users to quickly receive personalized content recommendations tailored to their daily activities and emotional states by syncing their calendar, authorizing health data, and setting media preferences.
The “Smart Flow” setup page allows users to quickly receive personalized content recommendations tailored to their daily activities and emotional states by syncing their calendar, authorizing health data, and setting media preferences. Manage Timeline enables users to customize their daily schedule directly within the app, adjusting task times by long-pressing or dragging to align Smart Flow’s media recommendations seamlessly with their planned activities throughout the day.
Manage Timeline
Manage Timeline Tutorial 1
Manage Timeline Tutorial 2
Manage Timeline Tutorial 3
Timeline Overview
Standard Setting Home
Primary Research
Our primary and secondary research identified adults aged 18-35 as our target group, as they exhibit a higher tendency for media multitasking and are more affected by its impact. Additionally, during our initial meeting, the client highlighted ABC's goal to attract a younger audience, aligning with our chosen demographic.
Target user
Persona, User Journey Map
How might we encourage Sophia to develop more mindful media consumption habits, helping her set boundaries and avoid study disruptions.
How might we create media that helps James manage work-related stress and prevent mental fatigue during long work sessions.
Personalized Time Management: Sync ABC apps with your calendar to align media with tasks, reducing distractions and optimizing screen time.
Reports & Feedback: Generate daily and weekly reports with visual analytics, offering insights to improve digital habits and work-life balance.
Biometric Monitoring: Use wearables to track heart rate and stress levels, providing real-time feedback for breaks or task shifts, enhancing focus and stress management.
Emotion-Responsive Media: Adjust media content based on biometric data, seamlessly transitioning between focus-enhancing and relaxing media.
Focus Management and Feedback Optimization
Environment Automation
Smart Home Integration: Connect ABC media with Google Home or Alexa to automatically adjust lighting and temperature, creating the optimal environment for focus or relaxation
Emotional & Task Balance System
Following this process, three potential solutions were finalized, each targeting a specific aspect of the challenge.
During our brainstorming session, we applied the SCAMPER technique to refine our initial ideas. This approach provided a structured framework to creatively explore solutions for overconsumption and reduced productivity, allowing us to rethink and improve our concepts from multiple perspectives.
Low Fidelity Prototype
The "Smart Flow" feature is located on the "Your Listen" page of the ABC Listen App.
Upon entering the feature, users are greeted with a welcome page explaining its purpose.
Users are asked to share their calendar and health data before proceeding.
The setup includes questions to learn about the user's listening preferences.
Once completed, a complete screen notifies the user that the setup is finished.
There will be four parts of the content in the main page:
Current Status: Displays the user’s stress level, measured by HRV (Heart Rate Variability), commonly used to detect stress level(Spiker, 2024).
Daily Focus: Allows users to check their daily tasks and view detailed or historical reports.
Schedule Overview: For users who haven’t synced their calendars, enabling them to manually input tasks.
Mode Selection: Features three modes at the bottom, designed as a rotating dial for easy mode switching.
Upon entering the playlist page, the top bar displays the time and relevant task.
Users can open the list to view their full-day schedule.
The bottom section can be dragged to expand across the entire page, and users can swipe left to remove unwanted media types.
If the system detects high stress, a pop-up window will appear. Similarly, if it detects fatigue, a notification will prompt the user to take a break.
Initial Setup
Feature Page
Playlist Page
Before starting the testing, all participants were asked to sign the consent form (see Appendix 8) and allow us to record during testing. Users were required to accomplish five distinct tasks linked to the interface of the low-fidelity prototype. During these tasks, we use think-aloud method to let participants described their experience and provided feedback on each interface, so we could directly observe their interaction and gather real-time feedback to identify usability issues. After completing the five tasks, we also conducted an A/B test to compare two approaches to stress notifications, as this method could provide a controlled way to evaluate user preferences.
Page A: Automatically switches modes when high-stress levels are detected during a task.
Page B: Displays a pop-up notification when high-stress levels are detected, allowing the user to choose whether to switch modes.
We also set a conversation about health data sharing, report usage, calendar integration preferences, and the first-time setup process to gather deeper insights into personal preferences and concerns.
First Iteration Pilot User Testing Overview
Entrance Page
Smart Flow Button: Not prominent enough. Users suggest moving it to a more visible section on the main page.
Initial Setup
Syncing Confusion: Unclear if calendar syncing is automatic or manual.
Overcomplicated Setup: Too much text. Users prefer a progress bar for easier navigation.
Unclear Labels: Terms like "Experience" need clearer definitions.
Main Page
Unclear Navigation: Terms like "Daily Focus" confused users; “Schedule Overview” was suggested as an alternative.
Interaction Issues: The rotating dial was unintuitive, and unclear button functions led to unsaved settings.
Report & Layout
Redundancy: Repeated content across multiple pages. Users want a unified report layout.
Following our tutor's advice, we’re prioritizing the core function. Reporting has been removed for now and will be considered in future updates.
Playback Page
Unclear Buttons: Play button and swipe gestures for playlist management were unclear.
Difficult Navigation: Users found switching between playlists challenging.
Privacy Concerns
Data Sharing Hesitation: Users were reluctant to share health data without understanding its purpose.
Notifications
Mode Switching: Users preferred manual control over mode changes based on stress levels, rather than automatic switching.
Testing Methodology
User Feedback Highlights
Secondary Research
Multitasking Challenges
Common yet often diminishes focus and work quality, leading to frustration and cognitive strain.
Media as Support Tools
Music, particularly instrumental, is widely used to enhance focus, relaxation, and manage stress.
Device and Activity Trends
Smartphones dominate as the primary device for multitasking, especially during work and study.
Pursuit of Healthier Media Usage
Users strive for a better balance between productivity and entertainment, aiming to minimize distractions and engage with media more mindfully.
Conclusion of th Primary Research
ABC Listen home page
Smart Flow home page
Playlist page
Notification page
Manage schedule page
Welcome page
Initial setting page
Move Smart Flow to Quick Listen for better visibility
Break the original long text into three pages to reduce reading fatigue.
Click to enter the manage calendar page.
Users can add task labels themselves.
Display the user's current task and stress level
Playback starts automatically upon entering this page
Click this section to enter the playback screen
Recommend the best playlist based on the user's current task and stress level
Display the current mode selected by the user
Tutorial helps first-time users understand the management system.
The HRV status will automatically adjust when changes in stress levels are detected.
Prompts a mode switch after task completion.
Simplify the wording to make it shorter and clearer, allowing users to get the suggestion quickly.
Remove the “cancel” button, simplifying the interaction.
Time spent on this mode.
Quick mode switch lets users change
The layout matches the Listen app, ensuring easy navigation.
Simplify the initial setup steps and display step numbers.
Simplified the page by listing only four main media types for easier user navigation.
Guide users that they can manage the calendar later if they skip syncing.
First Iteration result
Exit the feature
This page shows past, current, and upcoming tasks for a clear schedule overview.
The system suggests the best mode for the task. Users can play or choose another mode.
Place the three modes horizontally for clearer interaction.
Added a skip option for users to bypass questions.
During the second user test, we found 13 users to test our second iteration prototype.
To evaluate user experience, we conducted usability testing and utilized the System Usability Scale. Before the test, participants completed a consent form (see Appendix 9) and agreed to be recorded. By applying the think-aloud approach, users finished five activities that allowed us to see their mistakes and ideas in real-time(see Appendix 10).
To find areas for improvement, we also kept track of time taken to finish tasks and mistake counts. Participants then completed the SUS to rate the interface's overall usability(see Appendix 11).
Initial Setup
Smart Flow Confusion: Needs clearer access; users suggest relocating the feature.
Too Much Text: Simplify the setup process and add clearer completion prompts.
Uncertainty After Setup: Users suggest adding a clear “Finish” button at the end.
Main Page
Icon Confusion: Mode icons are unclear; users recommend labels for better understanding.
Flexible Time Input: Users want custom time slots and clearer confirmation after changes.
Quick Mode Selection: Some prefer a simplified, faster way to choose modes.
Playlist Page
Playlist Confusion: Add a “Recommended” label for clarity.
HRV Explanation: Brief visual explanation (emojis or colors) suggested for HRV.
Smart Picks: Misunderstood as a search bar—design needs clarification.
Playback Page
Too Many Steps: Users prefer automatic playback after mode selection.
Play Button Confusion: Suggest skipping extra playlist selection for smoother interaction.
Notifications
Tone: Users prefer a warmer, personal notification style (e.g., stress level alerts).
Double Confirmation: Simplify mode-switch notifications for clarity.
Our usability testing revealed lower success rates for Task 2 (manually inputting the calendar) and Task 3 (selecting the recommended mode) compared to other tasks. These tasks also took significantly longer to complete and had higher error rates, indicating potential usability issues（see Appendix 12).
System Usability Scale (SUS) Results:
Using SUS calculation methods (Thomas, 2019), we obtained an average SUS score of 74.42.
Good Overall Usability: The system scored above average, indicating it is generally user-friendly, though there is room for improvement.
Inconsistency: The wide range of scores (60 to 100) suggests some features need simplification, clearer instructions, or more flexibility to ensure smoother navigation(See image 3).
Improvement Opportunities: Addressing key challenges could elevate the score closer to 80, enhancing both user satisfaction and overall usability.
Second Iteration User Testing Overview
Final Design
Testing Methodology
Usability Testing Results
User Feedback Highlights
Wireflow
ABC Listen App Home
Automatically navigates in 2 seconds
After editing the timeline
Swipe
Swipe
Scroll
Setup Complete
Manage Timeline
Manage Timeline Tutorial 1
Manage Timeline Tutorial 2
Manage Timeline Tutorial 3
Timeline Overview
Media Playback
Standard Setting Home
Lite Setting Home
Smart Flow Intro 1
Smart Flow Intro 2
Smart Flow Intro 3
Calendar Setup
Health Data Setup
Media Preference Setup
Media Preference Setup
*Tap to navigate not annotated
Research
Introduction
At the outset of this project, we sought to investigate the concept of media multitasking and its influence on user productivity and digital consumption behaviors. To address this, we explored the distinction between "healthy" and "unhealthy" digital consumption, particularly in the context of ABC's media offerings.
The research section consists of secondary and primary research, analyzing user behaviors related to media multitasking and engagement with the ABC Listen app:
Multitasking Types
Secondary research categorizes multitasking into Task Switching, Dual Tasking, and Continuous Partial Attention. These types affect focus and productivity, often leading to mental fatigue and cognitive overload.
ABC Listen App Engagement
The ABC Listen app maintained strong user engagement (452,000 weekly active users, averaging 237.2 minutes per week) despite a post-pandemic decline in overall digital content use, suggesting that users engage with the app frequently while multitasking.
Multitasking Pros and Cons
Multitasking can boost creativity and motivation but is linked to cognitive strain, stress, and reduced productivity, especially with prolonged use.
Target Audience
Focused on users aged 18-35, who have high multitasking rates and are more affected by its impact, aligning with ABC’s goal of attracting a younger audience.
The interviews and questionnaire gathered insights on user multitasking habits and preferences:
Interviews
Conducted with 15 participants aged 20-50, interviews revealed that while multitasking is common, it often reduces focus and productivity. Users rely on media for emotional regulation and relaxation but experience fatigue and frustration with extended use, indicating some dependency on media.
Questionnaire
A questionnaire with 113 participants confirmed multitasking trends, with music (especially instrumental) being the preferred media type for focus, relaxation, and stress management. Users showed a desire to minimize multitasking distractions and achieve a healthier balance between productivity and entertainment.
Reverse Brief: Enhancing Digital Consumption with Smart Flow
Smart Flow, integrated into the ABC Listen app, aligns media consumption with personal lifestyles, fostering healthier digital habits.
Goals Aligned with ABC’s Brief:
Daily Consumption: Adapts content delivery to users' schedules and activities, maintaining balanced engagement.
Content Accessibility: Provides seamless access to ABC's digital content across Lite and Standard settings for varied user needs.
Circadian Consumption Habits: Adjusts media recommendations based on users' activities, supporting natural daily rhythms.
New Media Formats: Utilizes AI and biometric data for personalized, health-oriented media experiences.
Encourages moderation by timing media for focus or relaxation, preventing overconsumption.
Healthy Consumption
Engagement and Rest Balance
Uses biometric feedback to transition between modes, promoting well-being through balanced media engagement.
Content Relevance
Delivers engaging, mood-aligned content through advanced personalization algorithms.
Addressing the Complications:
Secondary Research:
ABCDigital Engagement and Multitasking
Primary Research:
Interviews and Surveys
ABC Listen app retained strong engagement with 452,000 weekly active users despite a 23% post-pandemic decline in overall digital content engagement (ABC, 2023).
Multitasking behaviors are categorized into(Crews & Russ, 2020):
Task-switching: Alternating between tasks, causing fragmented attention.
Dual-tasking: Performing two tasks simultaneously, dividing attention.
Continuous partial attention: Monitoring multiple activities while fully focusing when necessary.
Multitasking can boost creativity but also leads to mental fatigue, cognitive overload, and reduced focus (Sanbonmatsu et al., 2013; Robson, 2021).
Interviews and surveys revealed common media multitasking habits and challenges with focus.
Participants used media for emotional regulation, but prolonged use led to overconsumption and decreased productivity (Juslin et al., 2008).
Key Insights
Multitasking Challenges: Users frequently multitask with media, leading to reduced focus and work quality.
Media as Emotional Support: Media helps with stress management and concentration but can lead to extended consumption.
Cognitive Impact: Prolonged multitasking results in mental fatigue and interruptions (Sanbonmatsu et al., 2013).
Move Toward Mindful Media Use: Users are seeking a balance between productivity and entertainment, aiming for healthier media habits.
These insights played a pivotal role in shaping the development of Smart Flow, a feature designed to optimize media recommendations by syncing with user schedules and biometric data. This solution aims to improve focus, manage multitasking behaviors, and promote a healthier digital experience.
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
During the process of information synthesis, we primarily evaluated two key aspects:
Multitasking Impacts Differ by Task Type:
The effectiveness of multitasking varies depending on the level of attention required by the task. High-attention tasks are most negatively impacted by multitasking, while low-attention tasks are less affected.
Perception vs. Reality:
There is often a gap between individuals' perception of their multitasking abilities (subjective) and the actual impact on productivity (objective). Some may believe they are effective multitaskers, even when their performance suffers, which can lead to a dependency on media.
After completing our research, we were not sure about how to proceed due to the diverse data. We held a group discussion and synthesized the insights on a whiteboard (see appendix 5).
Find the Problem Space
Define the Problem Space
Risk of Media Overconsumption
Satisfaction with multitasking outcomes can result in an over reliance on media during tasks. This may foster an unhealthy pattern of media overconsumption, ultimately leading to decreased productivity.
Continuous Partial Attention as a Challenge
Multitaskers engaging in continuous partial attention often struggle to maintain focus over time. As the brain constantly manages multiple streams of information, it becomes harder to sustain attention, which negatively impacts task performance.
Media multitasking involves engaging with media content (like music, TV shows, or podcasts) while performing a primary task that requires varying levels of focus. For example, studying or working demands intensive focus, while chores allow for more flexible attention. In this setup, the primary task requires the most focus, while media acts as a secondary task. However, media can sometimes draw attention away from the main task, causing inconsistent focus and frequent switching between tasks.
Definition of Media Multitasking in Our Project
Problem Space
Competitor Analysis
Target User
Brainstorming
Iteration
Evaluation
Cold Turkey focuses on blocking distracting apps and websites, helping users stay productive by limiting interruptions.
Cold Turkey
Noisli
Focus@Will
BBC
Spotify
TikTok
Noisli and Focus@Will use music to boost concentration, prioritizing personalization and enhancing focus through tailored soundscapes.
BBC balances focus with educational content, offering an engaging way to learn while staying productive.
Spotify provides a vast music library with focus-driven playlists, offering seamless media management across multiple devices for uninterrupted experiences.
TikTok supports multitasking with background listening, allowing users to consume content without stopping other tasks.
Deeper Personalization: Our product could provide deeper personalization by integrating existing productivity apps or personal data. This would offer real-time media tailored to users' specific needs and contexts.
Intuitive and Organized Platform Interface: Inspired by Noisli's simple design, we could create a more intuitive and organized platform interface.
Enhanced Multitasking Features: Our product could enhance multitasking by offering content or environments tailored to support multitasking, like Cold Turkey and TikTok. This could include creating focus-driven spaces or providing media that adapts dynamically to the user’s task to stay focused.
Opportunity Area
We evaluated the three ideas using SWOT analysis, focusing on feasibility, prioritization, and assessing their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Client feedback was also considered, with a recommendation to prioritize the solution that aligns most with strategic goals and offers the highest impact for focused development and resource allocation.
After the evaluation, we advanced potential solutions 1 and 2 for further development. The idea of integrating ABC products with smart home systems was discarded due to feasibility concerns, particularly in shared environments where meeting the diverse needs of multiple users is challenging.
The final concept enhances the existing ABC Listen app by integrating users' calendars to provide AI-driven media recommendations and generate detailed multitasking reports. These reports offer personalized insights to improve focus and digital habits. For users with wearable devices, real-time biometric monitoring enables adaptive feedback, helping manage well-being and productivity by adjusting ABC's media content to align with the user's emotional and cognitive state.
Final Idea
