Catalyst Planning is a mobile app designed to help STEM students manage demanding schedules through smart planning, focus tools, and streamlined collaboration. Instead of acting as a passive calendar, the app actively supports productivity and reduces overwhelm.
2025
UX/UI Designer
User Research
UX Strategy
Information Architecture
Wireframing
Prototyping
UI Design
Usability Testing
The Challenge
STEM students rely on multiple tools that are easy to ignore and difficult to maintain, leading to missed deadlines, poor time estimation, and burnout. The goal was to create a system that simplifies planning while actively supporting focus and productivity.
User Research
Research revealed two primary user types: students overwhelmed by packed schedules and students needing structured deep-focus time. Key pain points included forgetting deadlines, difficulty coordinating group work, and frustration with overly complex tools.
User Journey
The experience was designed across five stages: awareness, onboarding, planning, execution, and reflection. Key opportunities included simplifying setup, automating scheduling, supporting focus, and providing feedback on productivity.
Prototyping
Early concepts were too complex, so the system was simplified to prioritize core actions: tasks, events, and collaboration. Iterations moved from paper sketches to high-fidelity prototypes, guided by usability testing and A/B refinement.
The final interface features smart scheduling, a focus mode with Pomodoro timing, collaboration tools, and a customizable dashboard that creates a structured yet flexible system that helps students stay organized and engaged.
Tap to See Walk Through Below!
Catalyst Planning is a mobile app designed to help STEM students manage demanding schedules through smart planning, focus tools, and streamlined collaboration. Instead of acting as a passive calendar, the app actively supports productivity and reduces overwhelm.
2025
UX/UI Designer
User Research
UX Strategy
Information Architecture
Wireframing
Prototyping
UI Design
Usability Testing
The Challenge
STEM students rely on multiple tools that are easy to ignore and difficult to maintain, leading to missed deadlines, poor time estimation, and burnout. The goal was to create a system that simplifies planning while actively supporting focus and productivity.
User Research
Research revealed two primary user types: students overwhelmed by packed schedules and students needing structured deep-focus time. Key pain points included forgetting deadlines, difficulty coordinating group work, and frustration with overly complex tools.
User Journey
The experience was designed across five stages: awareness, onboarding, planning, execution, and reflection. Key opportunities included simplifying setup, automating scheduling, supporting focus, and providing feedback on productivity.
Prototyping
Early concepts were too complex, so the system was simplified to prioritize core actions: tasks, events, and collaboration. Iterations moved from paper sketches to high-fidelity prototypes, guided by usability testing and A/B refinement.
The final interface features smart scheduling, a focus mode with Pomodoro timing, collaboration tools, and a customizable dashboard that creates a structured yet flexible system that helps students stay organized and engaged.
Tap to See Walk Through Below!
Catalyst Planning is a mobile app designed to help STEM students manage demanding schedules through smart planning, focus tools, and streamlined collaboration. Instead of acting as a passive calendar, the app actively supports productivity and reduces overwhelm.
2025
UX/UI Designer
User Research
UX Strategy
Information Architecture
Wireframing
Prototyping
UI Design
Usability Testing
The Challenge
STEM students rely on multiple tools that are easy to ignore and difficult to maintain, leading to missed deadlines, poor time estimation, and burnout. The goal was to create a system that simplifies planning while actively supporting focus and productivity.
User Research
Research revealed two primary user types: students overwhelmed by packed schedules and students needing structured deep-focus time. Key pain points included forgetting deadlines, difficulty coordinating group work, and frustration with overly complex tools.
User Journey
The experience was designed across five stages: awareness, onboarding, planning, execution, and reflection. Key opportunities included simplifying setup, automating scheduling, supporting focus, and providing feedback on productivity.
Prototyping
Early concepts were too complex, so the system was simplified to prioritize core actions: tasks, events, and collaboration. Iterations moved from paper sketches to high-fidelity prototypes, guided by usability testing and A/B refinement.
The final interface features smart scheduling, a focus mode with Pomodoro timing, collaboration tools, and a customizable dashboard that creates a structured yet flexible system that helps students stay organized and engaged.
Tap to See Walk Through Below!