Pain Point

Phone addiction is a problem that is increasing in complexity every year. With this increased complexity, existing detox apps have become too rigid - either locking users out of apps entirely or requiring them to set arbitrary usage limits without guidance.

Validation

User interviews and competitor analysis confirmed that users often struggle to set realistic targets for phone usage. This is especially apparent when large apps like Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram serve both work and entertainment purposes.

Key user

User Frustrations

Matthew wants to reduce the time he spends endlessly scrolling through Instagram and Twitter feeds. However, Matthew has multiple work related group chats on both Instagram and Twitter which require his constant engagement. Thus, he cannot delete those apps to reduce his usage.

Principles

An effective detox app should allow usage flexibility such that specific repetitive actions are blocked rather than entire apps. Targets should be realistic and be inclusive of users who use parts of social media apps for work.

Solution

Mindspace introduces a monitoring period to analyze user behaviour. During this period, the app recognizes repititive actions and asks users if they want to do that activity less or more.

At the end of monitoring period, the collection of responses is organized into realistic targets which the user can adjust and confirm for the next month.

Key Decisions

Mindspace offers action-based reduction rather than rigid app usage limits. With a focus on long term habit change, Mindspace changes targets between high and low intensity months to make sticking to habits sustainable. In addition, hitting targets successfully would make the app's $5/m subscrition free for successful months.

Design exploration

I started Mindspace's design by exploring friendly human drawings. It was important to make Mindspace's design language human centred and light. Trying to do a digital detox can be a frustrating experience therefore I wanted the design language to evoke a calm and friendly feeling in the user to help ease the frustration of having to quitting bad habits.

Highlighted keywords (Break, Activity, and Realistic) were created with a soft cursive font to add a friendly element to the message. The language of the instructions were made conversational and human like.

Final Design