Live project

Musing Mind

Making a big change in the lives and mindsets of our users that lasts

Start date: May 2024
Scope: Research and analysis, problem framing, concept design
Achievements: Clear value proposition and scope, thorough understanding of the user, early concepts informing the MVP

A mockup of a hand holding a phone with the mobile application concept open. The concept displays the home screen of an app reading Your Future, and goals of Learning to play piano and Learning German underneath

Kristian Mikhel

At the age of 27, I was diagnosed with ADHD.

For years, I had to battle crippling anxiety and constant agitation alone, thinking I must be broken beyond repair.

How else would you explain the ever-growing mountain of tasks, doomed to remain incomplete, or a pile of hobbies that just would never stick?

I was lucky to be diagnosed and receive treatment, unlike millions who have no one to turn to in their fight against the disease.

How could I possibly help them take control of their lives, gather strength to pursue their aspirations, and find support and company in those who understand their challenges?

In 2024, my team at Paper and Pain partnered with Musing Mind to help design a digital platform for people with attention deficit and hyperactivity.

To Musing Mind’s founder, whose sister was recently diagnosed with ADHD, it was a deeply personal matter, and we approached it as a critically important mission to create a better life for ourselves and our loved ones.

Problem Framing Workshop

From changing habits to changing lives

We came together to develop a product for users who struggle to stay motivated, and help them stay happy and productive at work and in their personal lives. The result of our collaboration is a concept-in-the-making of a mobile application, designed to inspire meaningful change: not a glorified productivity tool, but an innovative human-centred platform, unlike anything that came before it.

🙋‍♀️ Make a big change for people who

Have too many dreams and aspirations

Are overwhelmed with complex tasks and jobs

Have difficulty concentrating; easily distracted

Are anxious about getting things done

Don’t know where to start / how to approach a task

Are frustrated or angry about how they struggle to form/keep habits they desire

Are willing to try something new and make some changes

Likely have already tried some other method with unsatisfactory results

Deal with unfinished stuff: new hobbies and habits, starts and stops a lot

Are hopeful and eager to keep trying to improve their lifestyle and results

Market Analysis

Not yet another productivity app

The majority of apps that target users with attention deficit feature an organiser of sorts: a smart calendar, a to-do list, a pomodoro timer. They help to prioritise the tasks, instil a sense of discipline, and in recent years, they have got quite good at doing just that.

We love them for their sleek design, or hate them for selling subscriptions too hard. Ultimately, however, they all address the symptoms.

We, on the other hand, strived to create a product that solves a problem holistically: instead of building a productivity app, we wanted to motivate and inspire our users to live healthier and happier lives.

User interviews

Getting to know our users

How do we know what our users truly need?

We carefully crafted the interview questions, and recruited 5 young professionals with ADHD to help us understand their challenges, and learn how they live with the attention deficit.

Our hypothesis

Holistic task management systems can help eliminate stress and increase productivity by setting deadlines, breaking down complex tasks, and prioritising jobs

What we found out

Our users prefer simple, reliable systems, as basic as writing things down on a piece of paper

Our hypothesis

People with ADHD need constant stimulation and novelty

What we found out

People with ADHD indeed get bored fast, and in order to keep them engaged, the system has to change subtly, but frequently

Our hypothesis

Gamification can help motivate our users in the long term

What we found out

Although some of our users liked gamified interfaces, they would quickly grow tired of them.

Our hypothesis

People with ADHD need structure and assistance to stay motivated

What we found out

Human connection is the thing that motivates our users more than any structure or system.

Who is our user?

Our user is someone who seeks to create a comfortable and productive environment, values human connection, and is motivated by the impact of their action on others. They would need support in tailoring the environment to their ever-changing needs, and would surely appreciate guidance and assistance.

Jen

32, Senior Product Manager

Diagnosed at the tender age of 17, Jen has lived her entire adult life with ADHD, but she refuses to let it define her. She’s a productive creative with a good, stable job in tech, a proud mother of 2, and a community activist, who knows balance. Her system, however, is far from being perfect, so sometimes, Jen may need a little push to help her deal with symptoms.

Challenges

Staying focused on the task at hand
Taking up boring jobs
Managing an inbox of new tasks without losing focus and control
Accepting and embracing herself as she is

Objectives

Jen wants to be productive and happy without having to sacrifice either. She wants to function well, complete even the most boring tasks, and be comfortable in her body, mind, and environment.

Concept design

From brave ideas to crazy concepts

What we could have done

We could have focused on building a task management app with gamification and instant digital rewards

What we are doing instead

We are building a community for people with ADHD to grow, find support, coaching, and motivation

Playful onboarding, no lengthy questionnaires

A web depicting various personal growth areas: stress, time management, communication, reflection, emotional management, focus

Focused growth

A screen asking to allocate 10 points to ways of processing information: visually, emotionally, through audio

Embrace your unique way of learning

A page with personalised challenges, challenges are locked until the user has completed the task of adding 3 reflections and meeting their coach

Stay engaged with personalised challenges

What's next?

Our team is currently busy cracking the challenging task of translating the learnings into a product that people will use and love.

Stay tuned!