END-TO-END MOBILE APP
ShiftFocus: Designing for Neurodivergent Focus
ShiftFocus explores how inclusive UX can create a Pomodoro-inspired app tailored for ADHD and executive functioning challenges—offering gentle reminders, white noise, and progress tracking to reduce overwhelm and celebrate progress.
Role
UX/ UI Designer
Timeline
3 weeks
Tools
Figma
Methods
User Research, Logo Design, Branding, Wireframing, Prototyping
The Challenge
Rigid tools are unsustainable for neurodivergent users
Managing time, starting tasks, and maintaining focus can be especially challenging for people with ADHD. While methods like Pomodoro can help, many tools feel rigid, unengaging, or unsustainable. Most productivity apps emphasize structure over flexibility, leaving neurodivergent users underserved.
Competitive Analysis
Current apps lack a blend of focus, flexibility, and emotional support
To identify gaps and opportunities in the current market, I began by analyzing productivity and focus apps to identify areas for differentiation:
Pomofocus: Clean timer, but lacks personalization or wellness support.
Flocus: Beautiful UI with to-do lists and quotes, but rigid layouts and limited accessibility.
Headspace: Not a direct competitor, but strong in wellness tone and emotional support—yet weak in daily engagement.
“Starting is the hardest part. I’ll literally sit on the couch thinking about doing the task instead of doing it.”
User Interviews
Uncovering pain points and opportunities
I interviewed 6 remote workers with ADHD (ages 25–35) to better understand their needs and pain points. Common patterns emerged such as:
Difficulty initiating tasks — many procrastinated due to overwhelm or unclear priorities.
Distractions are constant — especially from notifications.
Guilt is common — due to a perceived lack of productivity.
Desired support — tools that provide structure, celebrate wins, and offer encouragement.
How might we help users gain clarity and focus without adding pressure?
Design Strategy
Designing beyond rigid productivity tools
The design phase centered around this core question: 'How might we help users gain clarity and focus without adding pressure?' This shaped everything from imagining a gentle morning to-do list ritual, to wireframes that make task initiation feel effortless. Each screen was intentionally stripped of distractions, to provide enough structure to spark momentum—without overwhelming the user.
Branding
Elevating calmness and compassion
The color palette was picked to reduce overwhelm and invite users into a space that feels both structured and gentle. The rich and varied greens evoke growth, calmness, and organic flow.
For typography, I paired Atkinson Hyperlegible for headlines and UI elements with Montserrat for body text. This combination ensures fast scanning, clarity, and visual comfort.
The name Shift Focus reflects a common ADHD experience: frequent shifts in attention. Instead of viewing this as a flaw, the name reframes it as an opportunity—to gently redirect focus with intention, helping users move away from frustration and self-judgment, and toward clarity, self-acceptance, and progress.
The logo was inspired by an arrow and forward direction. The arrow symbolizes a pathway to progress. It also resembles a chevron or play button, which commonly suggest a new screen or piece of information will appear. In this instance, this symbol signals that the user is ready to tackle the next task on their to-do list, whilst having the support of Shift Focus to guide them.
Design Execution
Prioritizing core needs
The wireframes include a Task list, Pomodoro timer, and built-in breathing exercise tool.
These screens were chosen because they represent the most essential features of the app—task management, time-blocked focus, and emotional regulation—all core needs identified during user research.
The decision to design a mobile app was also intentional. Its portability allows users to stay anchored throughout the day, whether they’re transitioning between tasks or recovering from a moment of distraction.
Final Thoughts
It's all about focus
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.
