General Task — 2022

General Task — 2022

General Task — 2022

Home Page Redesign

Home Page Redesign

Home Page Redesign

My Role

My Role

My Role

Product strategy, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Prototyping, User Flows

Product strategy, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Prototyping, User Flows

Product strategy, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Prototyping, User Flows

Team

Team

Team

3 Engineers

1 Product Manager

1 Head of Design

1 Product Design Intern

3 Engineers

1 Product Manager

1 Head of Design

1 Product Design Intern

3 Engineers

1 Product Manager

1 Head of Design

1 Product Design Intern

Summary

Summary

Summary

I led the redesign of a task management home page experience optimized for Software Engineers. I facilitated research, ideation, project scope, hand-off and implementation with our developers.


General Task is a web-based productivity tool geared optimized for the needs of software engineers. The app gives users a holistic view of their workload while integrating other popular engineering tools into one service.

I led the redesign of a task management home page experience optimized for Software Engineers. I facilitated research, ideation, project scope, hand-off and implementation with our developers.


General Task is a web-based productivity tool geared optimized for the needs of software engineers. The app gives users a holistic view of their workload while integrating other popular engineering tools into one service.

I led the redesign of a task management home page experience optimized for Software Engineers. I facilitated research, ideation, project scope, hand-off and implementation with our developers.


General Task is a web-based productivity tool geared optimized for the needs of software engineers. The app gives users a holistic view of their workload while integrating other popular engineering tools into one service.

Solution Highlights

Solution Highlights

Solution Highlights

A Bird's Eye View of Your Workload

A Bird's Eye View of Your Workload

A Bird's Eye View of Your Workload

We wanted give users a comprehensive look at their workload by offering full visibility and control over their tasks from their favorite collaborative services, as well as their calendar.

We wanted give users a comprehensive look at their workload by offering full visibility and control over their tasks from their favorite collaborative services, as well as their calendar.

We wanted give users a comprehensive look at their workload by offering full visibility and control over their tasks from their favorite collaborative services, as well as their calendar.

Pinned folders to the home page

Customizable sort options for task folders

Ability to sort folders and control collapsing behavior

Context & Problem

Context & Problem

Context & Problem

While developing an initial prototype of our web-based task management tool, early feedback from users indicated that the homepage did not yet resonate with our target audience, software engineers, and lacked compelling advantages over existing productivity solutions in the market.


Additionally, there had been no formal user research conducted to guide our product's development. This lack of differentiation and user-centric design approach hampered our ability to effectively address the specific needs and preferences of software engineers, thereby limiting product appeal and usability.

While developing an initial prototype of our web-based task management tool, early feedback from users indicated that the homepage did not yet resonate with our target audience, software engineers, and lacked compelling advantages over existing productivity solutions in the market.


Additionally, there had been no formal user research conducted to guide our product's development. This lack of differentiation and user-centric design approach hampered our ability to effectively address the specific needs and preferences of software engineers, thereby limiting product appeal and usability.

While developing an initial prototype of our web-based task management tool, early feedback from users indicated that the homepage did not yet resonate with our target audience, software engineers, and lacked compelling advantages over existing productivity solutions in the market.


Additionally, there had been no formal user research conducted to guide our product's development. This lack of differentiation and user-centric design approach hampered our ability to effectively address the specific needs and preferences of software engineers, thereby limiting product appeal and usability.

Goals

Goals

Goals

magnifying-glass

To identify and address the productivity pain points of Software Engineers.

laptop

Tailor our product to meet the needs of Software Engineers.

expand

Design a scalable productivity system that grows with our product.

Design Process

Design Process

Design Process

Creating a Task Management Tool Home Page Experience

Creating a Task Management Tool Home Page Experience

Creating a Task Management Tool Home Page Experience

We wanted give users a comprehensive look at their workload by offering full visibility and control over their tasks from their favorite collaborative services, as well as their calendar.

We wanted give users a comprehensive look at their workload by offering full visibility and control over their tasks from their favorite collaborative services, as well as their calendar.

We wanted give users a comprehensive look at their workload by offering full visibility and control over their tasks from their favorite collaborative services, as well as their calendar.

Discovery and Ideation

Discovery and Ideation

Discovery and Ideation

I led a cross-functional workshop to generate and gather ideas from the team, allowing everyone to be a contributor early in the design process. Additionally, I was able to gather the experiences of my engineering colleagues to inform product direction and align on technical feasibility.

I led a cross-functional workshop to generate and gather ideas from the team, allowing everyone to be a contributor early in the design process. Additionally, I was able to gather the experiences of my engineering colleagues to inform product direction and align on technical feasibility.

I led a cross-functional workshop to generate and gather ideas from the team, allowing everyone to be a contributor early in the design process. Additionally, I was able to gather the experiences of my engineering colleagues to inform product direction and align on technical feasibility.

User Research

User Research

User Research

We started conversations with 20+ IC Software Engineers, Engineering Managers, and founders. The essential question we wanted to answer: what gets in the way of one's ideal workday?


I worked with my founder to draft a research script, leaning into questions that were open-ended, evoked honesty and detail in order to get a comprehensive look into our interviewee's work habits and pain points.

We started conversations with 20+ IC Software Engineers, Engineering Managers, and founders. The essential question we wanted to answer: what gets in the way of one's ideal workday?


I worked with my founder to draft a research script, leaning into questions that were open-ended, evoked honesty and detail in order to get a comprehensive look into our interviewee's work habits and pain points.

We started conversations with 20+ IC Software Engineers, Engineering Managers, and founders. The essential question we wanted to answer: what gets in the way of one's ideal workday?


I worked with my founder to draft a research script, leaning into questions that were open-ended, evoked honesty and detail in order to get a comprehensive look into our interviewee's work habits and pain points.

Research Takeaways

Research Takeaways

Research Takeaways

flag

Engineers are burdened by the quantity of their work tools.

Engineers need a way to effectively condense and streamline their workflows.

flag

Engineers are burdened by the quantity of their work tools.

Engineers need a way to effectively condense and streamline their workflows.

tag

Engineers lack a singular source of truth for project status updates.

Therefore, Engineers needed a single source of truth for their work.

list

Engineers are struggling with prioritization.

Engineers need an effective way to prioritize their many tasks spanning several projects in order to quickly decide what to work on next.

briefcase

Engineers had varying work styles.

Engineers need a task management system that is attuned to their unique preferences.

Sketches

I started off the iteration process by creating paper sketches, which helped me visualize and explore potential solutions. These were the early drafts which informed the structure of our MVP design.

I started off the iteration process by creating paper sketches, which helped me visualize and explore potential solutions. These were the early drafts which informed the structure of our MVP design.

I started off the iteration process by creating paper sketches, which helped me visualize and explore potential solutions. These were the early drafts which informed the structure of our MVP design.

Wireframes: Folders

Utilizing our existing folder system for developer efficiency, I introduced a new card component. Since users required a clear view of their tasks and their context, this modular container is adaptable to user's viewing preferences and shows the associated folder. I crafted this card component with a straightforward design pattern, addressing edge scenarios like empty and overflow states.

Utilizing our existing folder system for developer efficiency, I introduced a new card component. Since users required a clear view of their tasks and their context, this modular container is adaptable to user's viewing preferences and shows the associated folder. I crafted this card component with a straightforward design pattern, addressing edge scenarios like empty and overflow states.

Utilizing our existing folder system for developer efficiency, I introduced a new card component. Since users required a clear view of their tasks and their context, this modular container is adaptable to user's viewing preferences and shows the associated folder. I crafted this card component with a straightforward design pattern, addressing edge scenarios like empty and overflow states.

Wireframes: Home Page Layout

I initially designed a dashboard grid layout displaying task folders. Clicking a task opened its details in a modal, which users found disruptive due to its lack of detail.

I initially designed a dashboard grid layout displaying task folders. Clicking a task opened its details in a modal, which users found disruptive due to its lack of detail.

I initially designed a dashboard grid layout displaying task folders. Clicking a task opened its details in a modal, which users found disruptive due to its lack of detail.

I then experimented with a multi-column layout where task details were on a separate page, but feedback indicated it resembled a Kanban board, which wasn't our goal.

I then experimented with a multi-column layout where task details were on a separate page, but feedback indicated it resembled a Kanban board, which wasn't our goal.

I then experimented with a multi-column layout where task details were on a separate page, but feedback indicated it resembled a Kanban board, which wasn't our goal.

Ultimately, a two-column design was chosen, stacking folders vertically in one column with their details in the second. This encouraged a prioritized, streamlined approach to tasks, resonating best with user feedback.

Ultimately, a two-column design was chosen, stacking folders vertically in one column with their details in the second. This encouraged a prioritized, streamlined approach to tasks, resonating best with user feedback.

Ultimately, a two-column design was chosen, stacking folders vertically in one column with their details in the second. This encouraged a prioritized, streamlined approach to tasks, resonating best with user feedback.

Visual Design

After distilling the direction of our home page layout, I moved into a high fidelity stage, adding more visual and interaction details. I presented these designs at numerous critique sessions and distilled feedback from my team.

After distilling the direction of our home page layout, I moved into a high fidelity stage, adding more visual and interaction details. I presented these designs at numerous critique sessions and distilled feedback from my team.

After distilling the direction of our home page layout, I moved into a high fidelity stage, adding more visual and interaction details. I presented these designs at numerous critique sessions and distilled feedback from my team.

Final Designs

During handoff, I ensured implementation was smooth for our engineers by creating detailed documentation and working closely with them during the process. The features of the Home page were shipped iteratively of, and ultimately led us to our product's public beta launch, leading us to become the #2 Product of the Week on Product Hunt, and earned us an acceptance into Y Combinator W23.

During handoff, I ensured implementation was smooth for our engineers by creating detailed documentation and working closely with them during the process. The features of the Home page were shipped iteratively of, and ultimately led us to our product's public beta launch, leading us to become the #2 Product of the Week on Product Hunt, and earned us an acceptance into Y Combinator W23.

During handoff, I ensured implementation was smooth for our engineers by creating detailed documentation and working closely with them during the process. The features of the Home page were shipped iteratively of, and ultimately led us to our product's public beta launch, leading us to become the #2 Product of the Week on Product Hunt, and earned us an acceptance into Y Combinator W23.

Key results

Key results

Key results

We reached our engagement goals

We reached our engagement goals

We reached our engagement goals

We saw a 1,000+ increase in user sign ups upon launch, and an 80% 30-day activated retention rate, with an increased session duration of 15%. Feedback from users indicated that the feature was intuitive and useful, helping them to more effectively prioritize and focus on their work, which validated our approach.

We saw a 1,000+ increase in user sign ups upon launch, and an 80% 30-day activated retention rate, with an increased session duration of 15%. Feedback from users indicated that the feature was intuitive and useful, helping them to more effectively prioritize and focus on their work, which validated our approach.

We saw a 1,000+ increase in user sign ups upon launch, and an 80% 30-day activated retention rate, with an increased session duration of 15%. Feedback from users indicated that the feature was intuitive and useful, helping them to more effectively prioritize and focus on their work, which validated our approach.

We were ranked a top product on Product Hunt

We were ranked a top product on Product Hunt

We were ranked a top product on Product Hunt

The Overview page was released as a part of a major feature set for our beta launch on Product Hunt, where we were ranked #2 Product of the Week. The launch was met with overwhelming positive reviews and feedback regarding our work.

The Overview page was released as a part of a major feature set for our beta launch on Product Hunt, where we were ranked #2 Product of the Week. The launch was met with overwhelming positive reviews and feedback regarding our work.

The Overview page was released as a part of a major feature set for our beta launch on Product Hunt, where we were ranked #2 Product of the Week. The launch was met with overwhelming positive reviews and feedback regarding our work.

We were accepted into Y Combinator (W23)

We were accepted into Y Combinator (W23)

We were accepted into Y Combinator (W23)

Although we ultimately declined Y Combinator's offer, building a product that industry experts believed in was huge validation for all our hard work.

Although we ultimately declined Y Combinator's offer, building a product that industry experts believed in was huge validation for all our hard work.

Although we ultimately declined Y Combinator's offer, building a product that industry experts believed in was huge validation for all our hard work.

Lessons and Takeaways

Lessons and Takeaways

Lessons and Takeaways

Focus on Viability

Focus on Viability

Focus on Viability

Working at an early stage startup meant working with very limited resources and time. It's easy to get lost in all of the possibilities, but when time is limited, we needed to hone in on solutions that were most likely to yield impact and the most viable to implement. We built upon our prototype to yield developement feasibility.

Working at an early stage startup meant working with very limited resources and time. It's easy to get lost in all of the possibilities, but when time is limited, we needed to hone in on solutions that were most likely to yield impact and the most viable to implement. We built upon our prototype to yield developement feasibility.

Working at an early stage startup meant working with very limited resources and time. It's easy to get lost in all of the possibilities, but when time is limited, we needed to hone in on solutions that were most likely to yield impact and the most viable to implement. We built upon our prototype to yield developement feasibility.

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Due to constraints, we lacked formal usability testing prior to shipping the Overview page. In the future would've liked to go through more tests with users in order to fully validate its effectiveness.

Due to constraints, we lacked formal usability testing prior to shipping the Overview page. In the future would've liked to go through more tests with users in order to fully validate its effectiveness.

Due to constraints, we lacked formal usability testing prior to shipping the Overview page. In the future would've liked to go through more tests with users in order to fully validate its effectiveness.

Establishing a Design Culture

Establishing a Design Culture

Establishing a Design Culture

Because this was one of my first major projects at General Task, I was simultaneously setting a precedent for the design culture at General Task. This meant refining our design process, engaging with developers to establish trust, educating colleagues, and setting up feedback, critique, and planning sessions.

Because this was one of my first major projects at General Task, I was simultaneously setting a precedent for the design culture at General Task. This meant refining our design process, engaging with developers to establish trust, educating colleagues, and setting up feedback, critique, and planning sessions.

Because this was one of my first major projects at General Task, I was simultaneously setting a precedent for the design culture at General Task. This meant refining our design process, engaging with developers to establish trust, educating colleagues, and setting up feedback, critique, and planning sessions.

Get in touch arrow-down-right

envelope

marcogsevilla@gmail.com

Get in touch arrow-down-right

envelope

marcogsevilla@gmail.com

Get in touch arrow-down-right

envelope

marcogsevilla@gmail.com