HOMEPAGE
HOMEPAGE
UX CASE STUDY
UX CASE STUDY
AcadaFocus
AcadaFocus
AcadaFocus is a conceptual web application exploring how students experience and manage academic stress across sleep disruption, poor time structure, and academic pressure. Informed by an unmoderated survey with 28 students, the project prioritizes guided structure and low cognitive load over complex self-management tools.
AcadaFocus is a conceptual web application exploring how students experience and manage academic stress across sleep disruption, poor time structure, and academic pressure. Informed by an unmoderated survey with 28 students, the project prioritizes guided structure and low cognitive load over complex self-management tools.
ROLE
Sole Product Designer
ROLE
Sole Product Designer
ROLE
Sole Product Designer
SCOPE
Research, UX Strategy, UI Design
SCOPE
Research, UX Strategy, UI Design
SCOPE
Research, UX Strategy, UI Design
STATUS
Concept Validated (Survey)
STATUS
Concept Validated (Survey)
STATUS
Concept Validated (Survey)
It is addressing the growing mental health crises among students. Unlike generic wellness apps, AcadaFocus specifically targets the intersection of academic deliverables and stress management, providing a structured environment for students to gain control.
It is addressing the growing mental health crises among students. Unlike generic wellness apps, AcadaFocus specifically targets the intersection of academic deliverables and stress management, providing a structured environment for students to gain control.
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The Problem Context
The Problem Context
Students stress isn't just about "too much work." It is a complex interaction of physiological needs (sleep), behavioral structures (time management), and situational pressure (deadlines).
Current solutions often fragment these issues: calendars don't care how you feel, and meditation apps don't know your assignment is due tomorrow. This gap creates a cycle of anxiety where students sacrifice wellness for perceived productivity.
Students stress isn't just about "too much work." It is a complex interaction of physiological needs (sleep), behavioral structures (time management), and situational pressure (deadlines).
Current solutions often fragment these issues: calendars don't care how you feel, and meditation apps don't know your assignment is due tomorrow. This gap creates a cycle of anxiety where students sacrifice wellness for perceived productivity.
Compromised Sleep Hygiene
Compromised Sleep Hygiene
Unstructured Time Management
Unstructured Time Management
Performance Anxiety
Performance Anxiety
Research Overview
Research Overview
METHODOLOGY
28
28
Survey Responses
Survey Responses
Unmoderated survey via Google Forms targeting active secondary school, undergraduates, and post graduate students. Focused on study habits, stress triggers, and current coping mechanisms.
Unmoderated survey via Google Forms targeting active secondary school, undergraduates, and post graduate students. Focused on study habits, stress triggers, and current coping mechanisms.
Strongest Behavioral Patterns
Strongest Behavioral Patterns
The "All-nighter" Badge: 65% of respondents associate lack of sleep with "working hard," validating unhealthy habits.
The "All-nighter" Badge: 65% of respondents associate lack of sleep with "working hard," validating unhealthy habits.
Reactive vs. Proactive: Stress management tools are only accessed during a crises, rarely as prevention.
Reactive vs. Proactive: Stress management tools are only accessed during a crises, rarely as prevention.
Tool Overload: Students are fatigued by complex productivity systems; they revert to simple notes or memory.
Tool Overload: Students are fatigued by complex productivity systems; they revert to simple notes or memory.
CHALLENGED ASSUMPTION
CHALLENGED ASSUMPTION
I assumed students wanted gamification (badges, streaks). Research showed they actually crave calmness and reduction of noise, not more digital dopamine.
I assumed students wanted gamification (badges, streaks). Research showed they actually crave calmness and reduction of noise, not more digital dopamine.
UNRESOLVED ASSUMPTION
UNRESOLVED ASSUMPTION
Will students honestly self-report their mood daily without feeling judged or annoyed by the repetitive task?
Will students honestly self-report their mood daily without feeling judged or annoyed by the repetitive task?
Design Goals
Design Goals
01
Reduce Cognitive Load
The interface must be stripped back. No complex dashboards. One task at a time. Make interaction easy.
01
Reduce Cognitive Load
The interface must be stripped back. No complex dashboards. One task at a time. Make interaction easy.
01
Reduce Cognitive Load
The interface must be stripped back. No complex dashboards. One task at a time. Make interaction easy.
02
Contextual Intervention
Offer help (breathing, breaks) precisely when work sessions exceed healthy limits. Pomodoro technique.
02
Contextual Intervention
Offer help (breathing, breaks) precisely when work sessions exceed healthy limits. Pomodoro technique.
02
Contextual Intervention
Offer help (breathing, breaks) precisely when work sessions exceed healthy limits. Pomodoro technique.
03
Neutral Tone
Avoid "toxic positivity." Use grounded, neutral language that acknowledges stress is normal.
03
Neutral Tone
Avoid "toxic positivity." Use grounded, neutral language that acknowledges stress is normal.
03
Neutral Tone
Avoid "toxic positivity." Use grounded, neutral language that acknowledges stress is normal.
Solution Overview
Solution Overview
Guided Stress Check In
A short mood and stress prompt shown when users enter the platform. dashboard
SOLVES
Lack of awareness of current emotional and mental state.
Guided Stress Check In
A short mood and stress prompt shown when users enter the platform. dashboard
SOLVES
Lack of awareness of current emotional and mental state.
Guided Stress Check In
A short mood and stress prompt shown when users enter the platform. dashboard
SOLVES
Lack of awareness of current emotional and mental state.
Guided Stress Check In
A short mood and stress prompt shown when users enter the platform. dashboard
SOLVES
Lack of awareness of current emotional and mental state.
SOS Calm Breaks
Quick breathing, relaxation, or grounding exercises available anytime.
SOLVES
Sudden anxiety spikes and emotional overload during study sessions.
SOS Calm Breaks
Quick breathing, relaxation, or grounding exercises available anytime.
SOLVES
Sudden anxiety spikes and emotional overload during study sessions.
SOS Calm Breaks
Quick breathing, relaxation, or grounding exercises available anytime.
SOLVES
Sudden anxiety spikes and emotional overload during study sessions.
SOS Calm Breaks
Quick breathing, relaxation, or grounding exercises available anytime.
SOLVES
Sudden anxiety spikes and emotional overload during study sessions.
Focus Mode
A simplified task view that shows only the next actionable task.
SOLVES
Overwhelm and analysis paralysis caused by long task lists.
Focus Mode
A simplified task view that shows only the next actionable task.
SOLVES
Overwhelm and analysis paralysis caused by long task lists.
Focus Mode
A simplified task view that shows only the next actionable task.
SOLVES
Overwhelm and analysis paralysis caused by long task lists.
Focus Mode
A simplified task view that shows only the next actionable task.
SOLVES
Overwhelm and analysis paralysis caused by long task lists.
Time Structuring Support
Guided pomodoro tools that help break work into small, manageable steps.
SOLVES
Poor time management and last minute panic.
Time Structuring Support
Guided pomodoro tools that help break work into small, manageable steps.
SOLVES
Poor time management and last minute panic.
Time Structuring Support
Guided pomodoro tools that help break work into small, manageable steps.
SOLVES
Poor time management and last minute panic.
Time Structuring Support
Guided pomodoro tools that help break work into small, manageable steps.
SOLVES
Poor time management and last minute panic.
Key Screens
Key Screens
The Landing Page Experience
The landing page introduces AcadaFocus as a calm entry point for students under academic pressure. It focuses on clarity over persuasion, using minimal copy and soothing visuals to communicate support without urgency. Purpose selection replaces forced sign up, allowing students to engage before committing.
“The goal was to make stressed students feel understood before asking them to do anything.”
The Landing Page Experience
The landing page introduces AcadaFocus as a calm entry point for students under academic pressure. It focuses on clarity over persuasion, using minimal copy and soothing visuals to communicate support without urgency. Purpose selection replaces forced sign up, allowing students to engage before committing.
“The goal was to make stressed students feel understood before asking them to do anything.”
The Landing Page Experience
The landing page introduces AcadaFocus as a calm entry point for students under academic pressure. It focuses on clarity over persuasion, using minimal copy and soothing visuals to communicate support without urgency. Purpose selection replaces forced sign up, allowing students to engage before committing.
“The goal was to make stressed students feel understood before asking them to do anything.”
The Reflection Driven Dashboard
The dashboard acts as a reflection space rather than a productivity control panel. It highlights recent activity, emotional patterns, and gentle next steps instead of dense metrics. This helps students recognize effort and progress without turning performance into pressure.
“The dashboard reinforces progress without turning it into pressure.”
The Reflection Driven Dashboard
The dashboard acts as a reflection space rather than a productivity control panel. It highlights recent activity, emotional patterns, and gentle next steps instead of dense metrics. This helps students recognize effort and progress without turning performance into pressure.
“The dashboard reinforces progress without turning it into pressure.”
The Focus Blinder Study Timer
The study timer removes all unnecessary navigation once a session begins. The interface centers attention on a softly styled countdown, designed to support focus without triggering anxiety. This screen addresses overwhelm by limiting choice and encouraging presence during study sessions.
“The timer behaves like a quiet companion, not a supervisor.”
The Focus Blinder Study Timer
The study timer removes all unnecessary navigation once a session begins. The interface centers attention on a softly styled countdown, designed to support focus without triggering anxiety. This screen addresses overwhelm by limiting choice and encouraging presence during study sessions.
“The timer behaves like a quiet companion, not a supervisor.”
Decisions & Trade-offs
Decisions & Trade-offs
Simplicity First
I intentionally removed advanced task management features to avoid increasing cognitive load. Research showed students needed relief, not complexity.
Trade off: Limited support for large or long term academic planning.
No Social Pressure
Community features and leaderboards were excluded to prevent comparison anxiety and distraction. The focus remained on personal progress and calm engagement.
Trade off: Reduced viral growth and peer accountability mechanics.
Explore the Concept
Explore the Concept
View the interactive Figma prototype for Desktop. Note: This is a high-fidelity conceptual model and has not yet undergone usability testing.
View the interactive Figma prototype for Desktop. Note: This is a high-fidelity conceptual model and has not yet undergone usability testing.
Launch Prototype
Launch Prototype
Launch Prototype
Reflection & Next Steps
Reflection & Next Steps
Reflection
Reflection
This project challenged my instinct to over design. The hardest part was removing features that did not support emotional calm.
This project challenged my instinct to over design. The hardest part was removing features that did not support emotional calm.
What I would do next
What I would do next
Run unmoderated usability tests with students using Maze and iterate based on behavioral insights.
Run unmoderated usability tests with students using Maze and iterate based on behavioral insights.