TaskPaws

UI/UX Case Study

TaskPaws is a digital companion app designed to support people with ADHD and memory challenges in managing their daily tasks. Featuring friendly creatures called “Stuffies,” the app helps users build habits, remember essentials, and reduce stress in a compassionate, non-judgmental way.

This case study covers the creation of TaskPaws’ mobile app, landing page, and brochure, focusing on how design choices foster emotional connection, simplicity, and usability.

About the Project

For people with ADHD or memory difficulties, staying on top of daily tasks can be overwhelming. Existing productivity apps often feel too rigid, clinical, or judgmental. Users need a tool that is:

  • Gentle & Supportive, not overwhelming.

  • Visually Engaging, but not distracting.

  • Simple & Intuitive, yet flexible for varied needs.

  • Encouraging, turning task completion into positive reinforcement.

Target Audience:

14 – 60 years old

Duration:

10 months

Tools:

Figma, WordPress, AI, PS

My Role:

Ideas & Designer

Problem Statement

People with ADHD and memory challenges struggle to manage daily tasks with traditional productivity apps. Many feel overwhelmed by rigid systems or discouraged by harsh reminders. There’s a need for a tool that feels supportive, gentle, and encouraging.

Problem Solution

TaskPaws is a mobile app that uses friendly virtual companions called Stuffies to provide positive reinforcement and gentle task management. Along with a landing page and brochure, TaskPaws builds a cohesive, approachable brand experience that supports users emotionally and practically.

Design Process Overview

Research

To ensure TaskPaws truly addresses the needs of people with ADHD and memory challenges, I conducted qualitative research focusing on emotional, behavioral, and usability perspectives.

User Conversations

I had informal interviews with:

  • 3 individuals diagnosed with ADHD (ages 18-30).

  • 2 neurodivergent parents managing family schedules.

Key Findings:

  • Overwhelm from information density: Users felt traditional apps present too much at once, causing decision fatigue.

  • Negative feedback loops: Missing a task often led to guilt-inducing notifications (“You haven’t logged in today!”), making users abandon apps.

  • Desire for compassion: Users expressed wanting apps that “feel like a friend” rather than a strict manager.

  • Visual cues help memory: Associating tasks with characters or icons aids in recall and motivation.

  • Micro-rewards encourage consistency: Small animations or positive affirmations make task completion more satisfying.

Competitor Analysis

Finch

The Good:

  • Focuses on emotional well-being alongside productivity.
  • Positive, encouraging tone.

The Bad:

  • Interface becomes cluttered with too many features as you level up.
  • Some tasks feel forced or unrelated to user goals.
Habitica

The Good:

  • Creative RPG-inspired approach to task completion.
  • Allows for team collaboration and shared goals.

The Bad:

  • Heavy learning curve for casual users.
  • UI is dense and text-heavy, overwhelming neurodivergent individuals.

User Personas

James Brooks

Age: 38

Occupation: Middle School Teacher & Parent of 2

Location: Madison, WI

Personality: Caring, slightly overwhelmed, humorous, pragmatic

Pain Points:

  • Juggles work responsibilities and family duties.
  • Constantly forgets small household tasks and appointments.
  • Needs help staying organized without adding complexity.

Goals:

  • Wants a simple system to remember daily routines (e.g., packing lunches, picking up prescriptions).
  • Needs reminders that are family-friendly and positive.

How TaskPaws Helps:

  • TaskPaws’ Stuffies engage his kids too, making reminders a shared family activity.
  • Simple, visual interface is easy to glance at during a busy day.
  • Encourages routine-building without stress.
Emily Carson

Age: 21

Occupation: College Junior, Art & Design Major

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Personality: Creative, scatterbrained, enthusiastic, emotionally driven

Pain Points:

  • Frequently forgets small but important tasks (locking doors, turning off appliances).
  • Struggles to balance school, work, and personal life.
  • Traditional to-do apps feel too cold and task-focused; they don’t hold attention.

Goals:

  • Wants a fun, non-judgmental way to stay on track.
  • Needs gentle reminders that don’t add pressure.

How TaskPaws Helps:

  • Stuffies offer friendly nudges in a visual, gamified way.
  • The app makes task management feel like self-care, not a chore.
  • Visual rewards help motivate task completion.

User Flow & Information Architecture

For my app, I have a task flow, but for my website there is no sitemap as it is only a landing page.

Sketches

Visual Design

Usability Testing

A review of my app came from the class in which I was given notes to implement even better usability. Those notes are:

  • Review of notes. And polish so you can feature a little more interactivity.
  • Animated splash – I’m seeing your character animation with arm being raised. Maybe the new logo flies out of the paw and lands in the negative space above the paw?
  • New First Home Screen with 4 choices –  – Tasks, Log Library, Affirmation tree, Settings.
  • If you want to keep the map and the bathroom option, make the bathroom options different. Such as turn off sink. Bath not dripping. Toilet flushed. or you don’t need that room.
  • New Navigation – Settings can move to upper right if not room for 5 icons. Home becomes screen with 4 squares. Log and affirmation stays the same. Tasks will need a new icon likely. Maybe a checkmark?
  • Log – Show clickable from  uncompleted to completed
  • Affirmation Tree.  When land there have Growth highlighted. Add ability to click on at least one other category like Anxiety and have the affirmation change in the quote box.

And as with every app, there will always be improvements needing to be implemented even after it has been published!

Project Summary

TaskPaws is a digital companion app designed to support individuals with ADHD and memory challenges in managing their daily tasks through gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement. Unlike traditional productivity apps that can feel rigid or overwhelming, TaskPaws introduces Stuffies. Soft, plush-inspired creatures that celebrate small wins and offer friendly reminders.

Alongside the app, I developed a cohesive landing page and brochure to extend the TaskPaws brand across digital and print touchpoints. These materials are designed to educate, engage, and provide easy access for new users, including partnerships with therapist offices and community centers.

The project focused on:

  • Reducing task-related stress and guilt.

  • Creating an emotionally supportive user experience.

  • Designing for neurodivergent accessibility and simplicity.

This case study documents the research, ideation, design, testing, and refinement processes that brought TaskPaws to life.