Insumo | Personalized productivity & habit building
Timeline
December 2022 - April 2023
INTERNSHIP || All your daily tasks, to-do's, meetings and habits in one place. Your personalized assistant that works with your current tools
Role
Product Designer
Tools
Figma
Sketch
Qualtrics
Webflow
Disciplines
UX Design
User Research
Web Development
CORE EXPERIENCES
I collaborated with Insumo's Design and Development team to enhance the mobile application's core components. During my internship, we ensured software developments matched prototypes and evaluated the success of our AI integration.
Design Responsibilities: Wireframing, Usability Testing, Hi-Fi Prototyping, Brand Design, Content Design
Research Responsibilities: User Outreach, Structured Interviews, Competitive Analysis, Affinity mapping
Being part of a fast-paced startup team gave me valuable insights into Design Thinking. I'm proud to see my designs shipped on the application and work with talented designers!
PRIOR TO PROJECT (INITIAL TASK)
Initially, the design team had concerns regarding the fundamental components. We noticed discrepancies between the prototypes and the final product. I carried out user testing and further prototyping in collaboration with the Software Development team to guarantee complete accessibility in our designs. The key components are outlined below:
Discovery Page
As user navigates to the Discovery page, they are able to explore trending habit challenges, read into the habit of the day cherry picked from Insumo’s extensive habit library, and find personalized tips & tricks to enhance user's productivity.
Sync with your favorite apps
Users are able to sync their favorite productivity tools to make their schedule more useful and accessible. The artifical intelligence services determine positive and negative patterns and optimize the user's schedule and workflow.
Recommendation Engine
Insumo allows full control over daily tasks and desired habits. The recommendation engine builds custom recommendations through analyzing your characteristic metrics, agenda & schedule trends, as well as habit library action patterns through Artificial Intelligence.
Our advancements of core elements were appreciated by 50k + users:
UNDERSTANDING INSUMO'S POSITIONING BEFORE THE PROBLEM
Insumo is a seed level private AI startup. Their services range from wellbeing challanges, global engagement services and habit tracking. When we look at productivity applications, Insumo has a lot competitors. The reason why Insumo is unique is, Insumo selects certain services that its competitors provides and combines them in one.
4 APPS COMBINED
Insumo's capacity to merge diverse elements into a single app delivers a user-friendly experience.
Its comprehensive approach to fostering a community via blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and in-app communal challenges heightens motivation and fosters a feeling of unity among individuals pursuing self-improvement.
Habit Creating and Tracking Service similar to “Productive”
Habit Streaks and Reminders Service similar to “Habitify”
Mental Health & Fitness collections similar to “Fabulous”
Charts and Statistics for monitoring progress like “HabitHub”
INSUMO'S ADVANTAGE
Insumo's strength lies in its community focus
Although its rivals excel in habit monitoring and efficiency, they lack integrated social functions and community backing, potentially hindering users who seek responsibility or encouragement from social engagement.
Insumo stands out as the sole offering with deep sleep-related connections, the Insumo Wellness blog, podcasts, and various other worldwide community elements.
Insumo Wellness Podcast Series
USER FEEDBACK
Customers value the ease of utilizing numerous capabilities within a single app. As their lifestyles enhance, they sense that they're receiving a comprehensive experience.
In addition to the user's enjoyment of various aspects and functionality, its features and area descriptions, and numerous other elements, there has been a persistent issue related to navigation. Although Insumo's user interface creates a minimalist and soft-colored atmosphere, the majority of newcomers are not familiar with most features beyond the primary components mentioned earlier, as demonstrated by the concerns expressed below;
Could combining numerous capabilities in a single app become a drawback?
Owing to Insumo's comprehensive array of features, users experience challenges in navigating and discovering them. Consequently, this results in insufficient understanding of various functionalities aside from Insumo's primary attributes.
🥸
Navigating Illustrations
Varied Choices for Diverse Demands
Inclusive Brand Identity
Shared Collective Interconnectedness
BUT…
PROBLEM
Clear On-boarding
High Discoverability and Understandability
Intuition & Prediction within Layers
Maximum use of Insumo's capacity
FIRST SOLUTION ATTEMPT
Initially, our impulse was to alter the brand identity, streamline the user interface, and improve user navigation. We conducted multiple investigations into fresh color palettes, artwork, and designs, aiming to enhance simplicity to a degree that allows users to grasp our offerings more effectively.
BRANDING ADJUSTMENTS
Since our rebranding efforts failed to improve visibility and comprehension, we delved further to uncover the root issue:
NARROWING THE PROBLEM
CORE ISSUE 1
Learning how to use new features
Users are unable to maximize Insumo and its features, since they don’t know how to use them! Features should be simplified, or a walkthourgh should be added, in order for users to utilize the application to its maximum!
CORE ISSUE 2
Accessing new features and navigating them
Insumo web services, personality tests, collections, sleeping logs and many more. While these features all exist, users are not able to find and assist them.
REVERSE ENGINEERING
After Reverse Engineering, we realized how these core problems were intiated due to the numerous steps required for a simple task. As users are rumbling within layers to access their desired feature they feel unsupported with the lack of confirmations within actions
SOLUTION
Following numerous user tests and prototypes, we confirmed our hypothesis derived from the intricate Information Architecture User Testing. Users grappled with the features, encountering a multitude of steps and layers.
Armed with these insights, we devised and integrated the AI-driven “Insumo Smart Assistant,” which guides users and detects potential struggles based on screen duration or failed attempts.
HOW DID WE COME TO THIS SOLUTION?
An astounding 86% of new users encountered challenges in understanding and executing these procedures! Although we can enhance long-term efficiency by optimizing user actions, embedding interactive guides during the app setup is crucial.
As we carried out user testing, incorporating additional confirmations and step-by-step instructions increased user comfort, inspiring us to incorporate an intelligent AI helper that boosts user confidence.
Confirmations after actions
Individual walkthroughs for each layer
Onboarding Sample Task
Detailed descriptions within sections
EXAMPLE SITUATION
Jane ( New Insumo Member)
Insumo Smart Assistant
Prior to our solution, Jane lacked any form of support or aid. Although there are easy-to-follow guides for newcomers' arrivals, existing validations remain restricted. Let's explore the transformation!
Start Engaging and Uncover How Our Smart Assistant Aids Jane! 😎 Her initial routine is prepared, including date, time, and reminder choices.
Habits Libary
Day / Time Selection
Libary Navigation
Habit Tracking
Insumo Intelligent Aide remains operational across various segments, including Integration and Insights!
Habits Libary
Meets Libary
Task Libary / Day Selection
Insights
Monthly Habit Streaks Review
LETS SOLVE THIS CASE THROUGH FINAL SMART ASSISTANT DESIGNS
We've noticed ongoing problems with navigation, so implementing an intelligent AI assistant exceeded expectations for limiting features or levels. Feel free to interact with a portion of the completed prototype video and in-depth guides below;
UNDERSTANDING SMART ASSISTANT & OUTCOMES THROUGH LOGDATA 😇
1 - AI Smart Assistant Notices Jane is a New Member
When newcomers arrive at the main page, the Smart Assistant aids in launching their initial habit-making journey. Thanks to pointed directions and spotlighted features, users can explore Insumo's habit repository and identify those that resonate most with them. The Intelligent Guide can be dismissed at any time once users feel at ease with the app's navigation.
2 - Assisting Users How to Add Dates and Complete Habits
Insumo allows full control over daily tasks and desired habits. The recommendation engine builds custom recommendations through analyzing your characteristic metrics, agenda & schedule trends, as well as habit library action patterns through Artificial Intelligence.
3 - Offers reassurance while users become at ease utilizing the app
Insumo allows full control over daily tasks and desired habits. The recommendation engine builds custom recommendations through analyzing your characteristic metrics, agenda & schedule trends, as well as habit library action patterns through Artificial Intelligence.
Findings
From 100+ user feedbacks:
61%
53%
67%
80%
wasn’t aware of most new features
new comer users had hard time navigating the application
believes they would appreacite to have navigations
of users were excited to hear about our new community features
52% improvement within initial user interaction
75% of consumers didn’t bypass Smart Aide
I really enjoy Insumo and I was able to improve my sleeping schedule! I heard about the insights page, I really want to see my improvement, but I don’t know where :/
I've monitored my shift using Insights, yet I'm eager to explore dishes that the Insumo vegan crowd loves! Where can I locate the Insumo Discovery page?
I'm a recent addition. I managed to establish a habit for tidying up my room, but could you assist me in altering its date and alert time?
I've determined the habits portion independently, yet still face challenges incorporating apps like Google Calendar into my routine!
Whenever I attempt to navigate between sections, I'm perplexed. The numerous layers make it challenging to move from one area to another.
What should I do when I'm disoriented? I possess numerous habits that I wish to eliminate or alter their schedules.
35% changes within negative user feedback
23% less durations due to interface confusion
🌟 SECOND SOLUTION ATTEMPT
We acknowledged that an efficient interface and visual guidance weren’t adequate for directing users! While this approach enhanced the primary elements' accessibility and user-friendliness, several users were still unaware of our newest features and failed to exploit Insumo to its full potential.
Concentrating on the feedback from our intended audience, we found that most issues arose from novice users. To delve deeper into possible solutions, we strived to pinpoint the problem even further!
4 - AI integration continuous across various layers
Integrations, Insights, Habit Streaks, all while ensuring the user is at ease and knowledgeable of Insumo's full capabilities, the smart assistant has got you covered for maximum accesability! If users don't require the Smart Assistant, they can skip desired steps or manually disable it through Settings.
STYLE GUIDE
New Changes : Integrating Phosphor Icon Collection
REFLECTION & SELF IMPROVEMENT
As a student-athlete from an underprivileged nation, I was always taught that mental health and well-being were byproducts of success in daily life, specifically volleyball in my case. Over time, I realized how much growth I needed in learning to care for and value myself. My involvement in the Insumo project, the first endeavor where I witnessed my design contributions come to life, holds a special significance for me.
My ultimate goal is to create designs that make a lasting and positive impact, and seeing the potential of this app to improve lives and help individuals understand their worth is truly heartwarming. Driven by curiosity in Web Development and UX Development, this project proved to be an invaluable learning opportunity in grasping the design process and mastering technical software.
NEXT TIME
Owing to my commitments as a D1 Volleyball player and attending UC Berkeley, I miscalculated my workload for the semester. Though experienced in time management from an early age due to professional sports, I admit my organization could have been better.
Considering the Design team consisted of global designers across various time zones and my travels during the two internship terms, I aim to improve my communication in the future! If granted the opportunity to redo this project, I would allocate more time for semi-structured interviews and user testings, in addition to structured ones!
Insumo Web's AI incorporation is now accessible! It's been rated as the #2 Product of the Week by Product Hunt! Although my internship has ended, thrilling opportunities await!
🦦 💌
🥳 🚀
EXCITING NEWS
Happy to see you here, Lets connect!
2023 · Deniz Milli || Made with lots of iced chai 🧊