Balance
This app was created in mind with the everyday struggles of millions accustomed to overusing their phones. It provides solutions based on psychological research to the problem affecting most Internet users – the overconsumption of social media.
Solo project
My role
Duration
Tools
Product Design – UX researcher, UI designer
1.10 2024 – 1.02 2025
Figma
Overwiev
GAIN CONTROL
BETTER TOGETHER
STEP AWAY
Problem
I focused on the problem that is usually called phone abuse, but in fact it is a behavioral addiction to mobile devices.
Goal
My goal was to create an app that would relieve the user from constantly trying not to use the phone. I wanted to create an external system that would help use smartphones in a sustainable way and at the same time promote activities not related to the smartphone. An important element was also the user’s well-being, which will help him focus on the here and now.
To illustrate the problems average users was facing I have created a perosona representing the struggles.
Research
When confronted with complex algorithms that show him emotionally attractive content, the user becomes defenseless. This problem is described in more detail in the work „Time perception and Internet addiction” by Agata Chudzicka-Czupała. People who habitually use smartphones struggle with controlling their own time, including adults – as described by Agnieszka Pilichowska in the work „Digital infantilization – how the overuse of screen devices turns adults into children.” In order to create a solution for the struggles of young people and grown ups the „Balance” project was created – to restore the balance between existence in the virtual world and reality. My main goal was to give control over social media consumption to the user.
Interwievs
I interviewed 30 people accustomed to using phones.
70%
Users were not satisfied with the time they spent on social media.
80%
Would like to access social media applications less often.
75%
Respondents declared their willingness to use a solution that would give them bigger control over the time spent in front of the screen.
The biggest problem turned out to be the daily number of enters to social media applications. For this reason, I decided to create option to that gradually limit the daily number of visits to previously selected portals. 3/4 of users also expressed a willingness to work on time planning.
Biggest problems
1.
Control of the number of daily enters to applications
Feeling overwhelmed by the virtual world
2.
Activities outside the smartphone
The need of having more activities in real world
3.
The ability to be present
Want to be more calm and relaxed
4.
Alienation of users
Feeling like nobody understands them
Userflow
Lo-Hi wireframes
Desing system
While creating a user interface for a project I focused on the principle of analog reality. The application combines modern design with the colors of ink and parchment.
Solutions
1.
YOUR BETTER SELF
Creating an alter ego that gives us tips on how to cope better with free time activities and time planning.
2.
BACK TO ANALOUGE
Knowing the user’s preferences, the application helps him plan satisfying time away from the phone.
3.
CUT YOUR COAT ACCORDING TO YOUR CLOATH
Limit the number of daily visits to social media applications in small steps.
4.
CREATE PERSONAL SCHEDULE
Adapting to your needs and habits, the application creates a calendar that divides your entries into selected applications so that they become more conscious activities.
5.
GAMIFY
They can buy new clothes with the currency they earn. The application becomes attractive, and meeting personal goals becomes pleasant.
6.
TAKE A BREAK
The meditation function allows you to find moments of peace and relaxation in the constantly rushing virtual world. Breathe with beautifully made animations.
7.
BE AWARE
To track your progress, the user can add a widget to the home screen showing the amount of time and access social media applications
8.
COMMIT TOGETHER
A tool that allows you to motivate each other without the feeling of alienation. For sticking to their schedules, users are rewarded with the in-app currency.
Prototype
Hi-fi wireframes
The problems solved after user testing
1.
Choosing the activities
The black circles made it look like activies were already selected, wherease user was supossed to select them then. To improve this process I have changed the color of icons.
2.
Choosing the social media apps to limit
The situation was confusing in the same way.
3.
Checking up on your friends and creating streaks
It was unclear how to create a new streak with a friend, so I made a simple add button of a plus. When you already have a streak it is marked as done which made it was easier for users to connect.
4.
Choosing a level
The mountain-like road of choosing a level was confusing the users, which led me to create a simple window were they can choose the number of times they wnat to visit the apps.
