When Productivity Meets Connection
Imagine a world where productivity isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about inspiring and being inspired. TaskBuddy is more than a to-do list app; it’s a social space where sharing your progress fuels motivation and builds connections.
As one of the designers for this project, I had the privilege of working alongside the talented Jason Tajor to bring TaskBuddy’s vision to life. Together, we set out to create an experience that seamlessly blends simplicity with creativity and productivity with connection.
Imagine a world where productivity isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about inspiring and being inspired. TaskBuddy is more than a to-do list app; it’s a social space where sharing your progress fuels motivation and builds connections.
As one of the designers for this project, I had the privilege of working alongside the talented Jason Tajor to bring TaskBuddy’s vision to life. Together, we set out to create an experience that seamlessly blends simplicity with creativity and productivity with connection.
The Challenge: Productivity Feels Lonely
We’ve all been there—staring at a long to-do list and feeling overwhelmed. Many apps help us organize our tasks, but something was missing: the human element. TaskBuddy’s creators wanted to change that by combining task tracking with social sharing.
The challenge?
How do we design an app that’s simple yet engaging?
How do we create a space where tasks feel less like a chore and more like a shared journey?
And how do we ensure the app resonates with students, our primary audience, while still appealing to everyone?
These questions became our guiding light.
Meet Sam—a busy college student juggling late-night study sessions, part-time work, and the pursuit of personal goals. Staying organized isn’t just a want for Sam; it’s a need. But productivity tools often feel cold and isolating, and Sam craves something different—something that feels personal and motivating.
He wants a space to manage his tasks while also sharing wins, no matter how small, with people who understand. Whether it’s finishing an essay or sketching a new design, Sam loves the idea of celebrating progress together.
That’s exactly why we built TaskBuddy. It’s for people like Sam who value staying on top of their goals without losing the joy of connecting with others along the way.
Design Decisions: A Platform That Inspires
Sam’s journey inspired our calendar and Explore Page designs. We prioritized a clean interface to help Sam stay organized while fostering community through easy task-sharing and profile customization.
The TaskBuddy journey begins with the Home Page, the beating heart of productivity. Here, users are greeted by a dynamic calendar, where each date lights up with tasks planned for the day. It’s not just a schedule—it’s a snapshot of progress and motivation, helping users stay on track with ease.
From there, the adventure moves to the Explore Page, a gateway to inspiration. Users can dive into a world of shared productivity, discovering tasks from friends or strangers across the globe. It’s more than viewing—it’s engaging. With just a few taps, users can create their own posts, sharing their to-dos and adding a personal touch to this vibrant community.
Next is the Feed Page, a personal sanctuary where productivity meets individuality. This page combines a user’s shared posts with their profile, offering a curated view of their accomplishments. It’s a space to celebrate wins, reflect on progress, and share the journey with others.
Finally, the Account Page ties it all together. This hub for personalization and control lets users fine-tune their profiles, log out, delete accounts, and stay informed with privacy policies and terms. It’s the foundation that ensures each user feels secure and empowered in their productivity experience.
From there, the adventure moves to the Explore Page, a gateway to inspiration. Users can dive into a world of shared productivity, discovering tasks from friends or strangers across the globe. It’s more than viewing—it’s engaging. With just a few taps, users can create their own posts, sharing their to-dos and adding a personal touch to this vibrant community.
Next is the Feed Page, a personal sanctuary where productivity meets individuality. This page combines a user’s shared posts with their profile, offering a curated view of their accomplishments. It’s a space to celebrate wins, reflect on progress, and share the journey with others.
Finally, the Account Page ties it all together. This hub for personalization and control lets users fine-tune their profiles, log out, delete accounts, and stay informed with privacy policies and terms. It’s the foundation that ensures each user feels secure and empowered in their productivity experience.
For this project, we chose to implement the 8pt grid system to ensure consistency and balance across the entire design.
By using multiples of 8 pixels for spacing, margins, padding, and element sizes, I created a clean, structured layout that felt natural and harmonious. The grid system helped us make design decisions with precision, ensuring that every button, card, and image was aligned and proportionate.
The 8pt grid also made the design scalable, maintaining a consistent look across different screen sizes. Ultimately, it provided a solid foundation for a visually appealing, intuitive UI that feels seamless to interact with.
By using multiples of 8 pixels for spacing, margins, padding, and element sizes, I created a clean, structured layout that felt natural and harmonious. The grid system helped us make design decisions with precision, ensuring that every button, card, and image was aligned and proportionate.
The 8pt grid also made the design scalable, maintaining a consistent look across different screen sizes. Ultimately, it provided a solid foundation for a visually appealing, intuitive UI that feels seamless to interact with.
What I Learned Along the Way
Working on this project taught me the importance of balance—finding that perfect mix of function and fun. It reminded me how even small design choices, like an encouraging color or a strategically placed button, can truly make a difference in sparking connection and motivation.
Reflecting on Sam’s needs, TaskBuddy successfully delivered a tool that combines productivity with connection. Understanding our user personas deeply ensured we stayed aligned with real-world goals throughout the project.
If I had the chance to revisit TaskBuddy, I’d dive deeper into UX research, especially user testing. I’d love to have more conversations with users to understand their experiences and refine features like privacy settings and feed interactions based on real-world feedback.
TaskBuddy isn’t just an app; it’s a reminder that productivity doesn’t have to be lonely. Designing this platform reaffirmed my belief in the power of technology to bring people together and make everyday moments feel meaningful.
