Ascend
Turn everyday tasks into a growing universe.
Role
Sole Product Designer
Timeline
1-week sprint |
Tools
Figma · Adobe CC
Project
CareerFoundry brief — productivity brief
Challenge
Make long-term progress visible and motivating for users.
Target
16- to 24-year-olds who lose steam when accomplishments blend into endless check-lists.
Solution
Ascend gamifies progress: every completed task nourishes a planet and every finished day expands the galaxy. A time-lapse calendar shows how far users have progressed on their goals, turning abstract effort into a tangible metric.
Grow-a-Planet Tasks
Links task completion to planet growth, reinforcing daily habits through visible feedback.
Time-Lapse Calendar
Keeps momentum visible, progress never resets at midnight, sustaining long-term motivation.
Focus Mode Music
Built-in soundscapes lift concentration, boosting task-completion stamina.
The gap
Existing planner apps show only today’s checklist; progress evaporates after 24 hours. Users never see how small wins compound over weeks or months.
Progress Resets Overnight
Checklists wipe clean at midnight, erasing visible momentum.
Blind to the Big Picture
No week- or month-view means small wins never add up psychologically.
Completion Feels Empty
Tasks finish with zero tangible reward, so motivation fades fast.
Month Task Progression ⟶
Less
More
Three pivotal moves
Universe Gamification
Tasks become planets, visible proof that tiny actions fuel massive growth.
Time-Lapse Calendar
Swipe from day to month to year in one gesture; progress stays tangible.
Cosmic Illustration System
Distinct hand-drawn style makes productivity feel playful and brandable.
Sprint
Focus
Outcome
1
Competitive analysis → rapid concepts
Core gamification loop selected
2
Hi-fi UI & icon refinement
Investor-ready visuals delivered
3
Mentor critique & polish
Illustrations tuned, labels clarified
4
Deck & asset hand-off
Pixel-perfect files packaged
Learnings
Progress must be visible
Planet growth model keeps users returning daily.
Details still need guidance
Mentor pushed clearer icons—“less” sometimes had better clarity.
Next up
Run usability tests, then expand planets to thriving civilizations for deeper long term engagement.
Ready to turn complex problems into simple, human-centered experiences?
© 2025 by IvanAtlas