AVoid.
Supporting students with ADHD in planning and task-management with an AI-powered browser extension.
COMPANY
Classroom Project
ROLE
UX Designer & Researcher
Team
Sriya Ventra, Wanting Mao, Eason Wang, Joon Kum
YEAR
2024
Short on time ? Read through this section
TL;DR
Project Overview
Browser Extension for Students with ADHD: Integrates seamlessly into daily workflows for ease of access.
Conversational AI: Simplifies planning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps.
Cognitive Load Reduction: Helps students overcome challenges to effective task completion.
My Contribution
User Research & Analysis: Conducted user interviews and Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA).
Ideation & Problem-Solving: Participated in brainstorming sessions to identify solutions.
UI & Prototyping: Designed final UI screens and developed a working prototype.
Intended Impact
Time Optimization: Reduces the time required for managing projects.
Minimizing Distractions: Helps students stay focused by reducing interruptions.
Support for ADHD: Enhances executive functioning for better project management.
Short & Long-Term Planning: Improves organization for both immediate and future tasks.
My learnings
The Importance of Universal design, throughout the project I constantly came across our target audience stating that they don't want to be singled out or stand out in a room as a result of special accommodations. We made extra efforts to ensure that the design of our solution, keeps users with ADHD at the forefront while also making it useful for the general audience.
Common Symptoms ; Factors affecting college life
ADHD in college students is defined by significant impairment of several executive functions. These Impact :
Self awareness
Self Monitoring
Inhibition or Self Restrain
Working Memory
Emotional Regulation
Planning
Problem Solving skills
ADHD in college students often affects their ability to plan, manage time and break down large tasks into smaller manageable tasks: often making it difficult for them to navigate academics and college life.
Who are we building for ?
College Students with Adhd
Our intention with this project is to identify ways that are tailored to the needs of students with ADHD, specifically addressing issues related to executive functioning .
“
Interest
Low
High
High
Power
Keep Satisfied
College Administration
Disability Support Services staff
Health Services
Faculty and Academic Advisors
Parents & family members
Students
Peers and Student organizations
Employers and Coordinators
Tutoring and Academic Support Centers
Keep Informed
Manage Closely
Monitor
Eligible
Clinically Diagnosed
Demographic
College Students
Location
Georgia, USA
Our Mission Statement
Our Problem Statement
How might we support college students with ADHD in improving their executive functioning, such as planning, time management, and self-regulation, to better navigate academic challenges and improve their performance?
AVoid.
To dive deeper into the insights obtained from the survey we conducted interviews with 9 students as well Sarah Burman, Georgia Tech’s ODS
AVoid is a project management extension designed to minimize cognitive load and streamline planning, allowing users to focus more on execution and productivity.
Project Overview
To dive deeper into the insights obtained from the survey we conducted interviews with 9 students as well Sarah Burman, Georgia Tech’s ODS When the sky so blue. toucTo 9 students as well Sarah Burman, Georgia Tech’s ODS When the sky so blue. touc
AVoid is a project management extension designed to minimize cognitive load and streamline planning, allowing users to focus more on execution and productivity.
To dive deeper into the insights obtained from the survey we conducted interviews with 9 students as well Sarah Burman, Georgia Tech’s ODS When the sky so blue. toucTo 9 students as well Sarah Burman, Georgia Tech’s ODS When the sky so blue. touc
Identify and document target
user groups.
calendar.google.com
Oct 10
To dive deeper into the insights obtained from the survey we To dive deeper into the
29:15
D2- Finish the User Journey Map
Hi, James
To dive deeper into the insights obtained from the survey we conducted
What can be done to improve ?
Managing Projects as a student with ADHD
To better understand how ADHD and its symptoms impacted students we started our research by looking into existing remedies that help manage symptoms and boost their executive functions. We explored both traditional medical remedies or therapies as well as apps or websites that aid students in managing their academics.
Existing Solutions
Medication
Executive Function Coaching
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Organizational
Tools
Medication is considered the most effective solution, with 80% of patients responding positively, significantly enhancing focus and executive functioning
Coaching helps students develop skills like time management and goal-setting through personalized sessions, empowering them to better manage academic tasks
CBT helps reframe negative thoughts, set realistic goals, and improve self discipline, aiding emotional regulation and attention control.
Tools like calendars and task lists help structure daily activities, break tasks into smaller steps, and reduce overwhelm (e.g. Google Calendar, Notion).
Survey
Participants
45
Platform
Sub Redditt's
Time duration
7 Days
Information goals + Why
To get an accurate understanding of the different symptoms and their disposition on our users we conducted a survey to reach the following information goals :
Academic Challenges
Symptoms
Treatment Options
Current Management Options
Semi Structured Interviews
Participants
10
Time duration
30-40 mins
Method
Hybrid
Information Goals + Why
To dive deeper into the insights obtained from the survey we conducted interviews with 9 students as well Sarah Burman, Georgia Tech’s ODS (Office of Disability Services) to accomplish the following information goals :
Academic Challenges
Strategies employed to manage ADHD
Effectiveness of existing supporting systems
Findings from Affinity Mapping
Task Management & Tools
Students with ADHD often struggle with forgetting tasks, maintaining focus, and effectively prioritizing.
Tools such as calendars and task lists support working memory by externalizing tasks.
Integrated and customizable tools help minimize overwhelm by breaking tasks into more manageable steps.
Motivation & Accountability
Rewards, gamification, and peer support boost motivation and productivity.
Emotional regulation tools and accountability systems aid focus and engagement.
Environmental & External Factors
Managing sensory distractions with tools like noise-canceling headphones improves focus.
Simplifying accommodation processes reduces frustration and encourages students to seek support.
HIERARCHICAL TASK ANALYSIS
Participants
10
Time duration
30-40 mins
Method
Hybrid
Task 1
Organizing the Day with Google Calendar
This task was established with the intent to explore how students with ADHD use a standard planning tool to organize their personal, academic and work related tasks for a day to recognize a pattern of cognitive and environmental challenges faced.
Challenges faced :
Our users struggled with consistently updating their schedules and organizing their calendars based on priorities.
Task 2
Utilizing Academic Accommodations at University
This task explores the multi step process of availing accommodations for students with ADHD through their university’s disability center. We explored its challenges and complexities .
Challenges Faced :
Lengthy and Involved : Takes places over a period of 3 weeks with multiple follow ups and coordination between multiple parties.
Complex : The process involves multiple steps and a lot of documentation making it intensive for students with ADHD
Self Driven : The process has to followed up and managed by the student themselves which proves to be difficult for students with ADHD due to lack of motivation.
Design
Requirements
From the research conducted we derived 8 design requirements we believed need to be adhered to when designing for our stakeholders
Neutral Branding & Inclusivity
A universal, inclusive design that avoids highlighting cognitive difficulties, fostering a judgment-free environment and reducing stigma.
Positive Framing/Reinforcement
A design that celebrates progress, normalizes ADHD experiences, and rewards accomplishments to encourage self-advocacy, boost self-esteem, and reduce procrastination.
Equitable Access + Anonymity/Confidentiality
A tool that ensures accessibility for all users, regardless of socio-economic background, while maintaining confidentiality to reduce stigma and encourage engagement.
Community Engagement and Support
A design that helps ADHD students stay on track by incorporating social accountability partnerships and study groups for peer support and external motivation.
Alleviate Sensory Distractions
A design helps users in maintaining focus by reducing sensory distractions with features like focus modes and noise cancellation.
Community Engagement and Support
A design that helps students with ADHD stay on track with their tasks by incorporating features like social accountability partnerships and study groups to provide peer support & external motivation.
Adaptive Workflows
A design that breaks large tasks into smaller steps and offers flexibility based on energy and urgency, reducing procrastination, anxiety, and stress while boosting productivity.
Simple Interface
A design that is intuitive and has minimal steps to reduce cognitive load and frustration. Having simplified navigation prevents overwhelm and improves user retention.
What can be done to improve ?
Building an efficient tool
To address the issues identified during our research, we conducted a Comparative Analysis of existing planning and Focus management tools that effectively tackle similar challenges. This analysis helped us identify features and best practices that could be incorporated into the solution we were trying to build to ease the process of planning and managing projects for users with ADHD. For this we started by conducting the 6-3-5 ideation and how-wow-now ideation methods to generate ideas addressing our problems.
6-3-5
Ideation Method
How - Wow - Now
Ideation Method
Initial Ideas Generated
Focus Buddy : Wearable Haptic Device
DinoDo : AI and Gamification for your tasks
SmartNote : Note Taking Pen
StudySpotter : Find the spot you need
Final Design Concept : Browser Extension
After careful deliberation the final concept we came up with is a browser extension that can be integrated with the students daily workflows. Its key feature is Conversational AI, which simplifies the process of planning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts reducing cognitive effort and aiding task execution.
Comparative Analysis
To refine and validate our design, we further conducted additional research, including literature reviews on the psychological challenges of planning and time management for ADHD students, and a comparitive analysis of existing tools to identify areas of improvements.
Information Architecture +
User Journey
To better understand how ADHD and its symptoms impacted students we started our research by looking into existing remedies that help manage symptoms and boost their executive functions. We explored both traditional medical remedies or therapies as well as apps or websites that aid students in managing their academics.
Mid- Fidelity Wireframes
To better understand how ADHD and its symptoms impacted students we started our research by looking into existing remedies that help manage symptoms and boost their executive functions. We explored both traditional medical remedies or therapies as well as apps or websites that aid students in managing their academics.
What We Optimized
AVoid. - Project Management Simplified
To ensure that our model aligned perfectly wih the cognitive models of the Account managers we made sure to test all our concepts periodically. We held usability testing sessions with both the executives and Account managers at insight global prompting them to complete a set of preemptive tasks while thinking aloud.
Getting Things in Order;
Iterative insights from Usability Testing
Things we did Right :
Professional Presentation and Clear Visual Hierarchy
Intuitive Navigation and Efficient Workflow
Enhanced Data Management and Accessibility
Foster Inter-Team Collaboration and Improve Data Accuracy
Alignment with Insight Global’s Business Objectives and Support for Strategic Decision-Making
Getting Things in Order;
Iterative insights from Usability Testing
Things we did Right :
Professional Presentation and Clear Visual Hierarchy
Intuitive Navigation and Efficient Workflow
Enhanced Data Management and Accessibility
Foster Inter-Team Collaboration and Improve Data Accuracy
Alignment with Insight Global’s Business Objectives and Support for Strategic Decision-Making
Usability Testing with Stakeholders
Testing the Solution
To ensure that our model aligned perfectly wih the cognitive models of the Account managers we made sure to test all our concepts periodically. We held usability testing sessions with both the executives and Account managers at insight global prompting them to complete a set of preemptive tasks while thinking aloud.
Getting Things in Order;
Iterative insights from Usability Testing
Things we did Right :
Professional Presentation and Clear Visual Hierarchy
Intuitive Navigation and Efficient Workflow
Enhanced Data Management and Accessibility
Foster Inter-Team Collaboration and Improve Data Accuracy
Alignment with Insight Global’s Business Objectives and Support for Strategic Decision-Making
Things we need to change :
Ambiguous Color Coding: Replace colors with "Build" and "Drop" tags; add filter options.
Missing "Mine" Tags: Allow users to label and filter contacts as "Mine" for better workflow.
Limited Contact Transfer: Enable moving contacts between organizational charts.
Lack of Personal Note-Taking: Add note-taking and annotation tools on organizational charts.
What changed and what can be changed
Conclusion
Prototype Successes
Streamlined Planning : Reduced planning time by up to 50%
Adaptable Workflows : User appreciated adjustable task details and attention spans
Ease of Access: Browser Extension minimized distractions and fit seamlessly into workflows
Neutral Branding : Tool resonated with both ADHD-diagnosed and non diagnosed participants
Externalization of thoughts and imagery: Visual task breakdowns and timelines helped users externalize agendas, reducing cognitive load and supporting task management.
Next steps
Clarity and Customization of AI generated contented
AI-generated content must be accurate and contextually aligned with user needs. Future designs should prioritize enabling users to customize AI outputs, allowing them to tailor content to their preferences, goals, and specific tasks for enhanced usability and satisfaction.
Information Hierarchy and Visual Simplicity
Overwhelming visuals and unclear structuring hindered user focus. Future designs should prioritize clean, minimalist interfaces, clear labeling, and logical organization to reduce cognitive load and improve navigation.
Clearer Feedback and Onboarding
Users were unsure about key functionalities due to insufficient feedback and onboarding. Future iterations should include clear confirmation dialogs, tooltips, and concise interactive tutorials to guide users effectively.