Y
PORTFOLIOABOUT

Foca App
Pomodoro Focus Timer

2021, Indie App Development, WFH
TEAM
With 1 Developer
‍
MY ROLES
Founder,
40% PM ,
40% Designer,
20% Developer
‍
DELIVERATBLES
Website
Android
iOS
MacOS

A Productivity App Based on Pomodoro Technique

Foca is an app that I and a friend of mine created from scratch in early 2020. It combines Pomodoro focus timer with stretch exercises, aiming to help users have productive and healthy work habits.

Now it’s available in both Google Play and Apple Store (iOS & MacOS), and has been loved by tons of users from over the world.

Facts
Until June. 2021
Process
The Problem
Foca was created from our frustration during remote work.

When the pandemic broke out in early 2020, many people including us started to work from home. But we realized our productivity was lower. We found it's hard to stay focused, because there are lots of distractions when working from home.
Pomodoro Technique
We tried out several time management methods to improve productivity, and found the Pomodoro Technique has life-changing power.

This popular time management technique asks you to break your workday into 25-min chunks separated by 5-min breaks. These intervals are referred to as Pomodoro. It helps to promote sustained concentration and stave off mental fatigue.
Initial Idea
To apply the technique, I searched the key word "Pomodoro" and downloaded several Apps. But after using these Apps based on the Pomodoro technique, I found none of them satisfying.

Having the design and development skillset, we thought we could create a better one ourselves. It can be helpful to us, and lots of other users who have the same needs.
User Insights
How to help users stay focused
Product Definition
Using Elevator Pitch format
User Flow
Focus on main tasks easily
Visual Design
Embody "Simplicity" and "Balance" in visual language
UI Design

Pomodoro Focus Timer

Applying the Pomodoro Technique.
25min focus time+ 5min rest time, and repeat.

- Minimalist design to reduce distractions
- Using different background colors to differentiate work & rest sessions.

White Noise

Various white noise help users to focus.
Both natural sounds and city sounds.

- Foca Plus users can unlock all the ambient sounds
- Immersive focus experience

Stretch Exercise

Combining stretch exercise into Pomodoro technique. To refresh both your body and brain.

- Illustrations of stretching out neck, back, shoulders and hands.
- Vivid sound instructions.

Focus Category

Users can know what task category they are focusing on.

- Foca Plus users can create customizable categories
- Color coding for data visualization

Statistics

Clear visualization of focus time statistics.

- Help users know how their time spent.

Customizable Timer

Set the timer duration as you prefer
‍
- Slide to setup the timer duration quickly
- Choose what to do next at the end of the timer. (Not for Auto-Run)

Onboarding - Express our Values
Settings & Foca Plus
Development & Release
Initial release after 3 months of development
Grow from 1 to N
Organic growth of users
User Installs in Google Play
Organic Growth Journey
Key word search in App Store
Iteration
Based on insights from user feedback
Beyond Mobile Phone
Use Foca on laptop, without any distractions from the phone.
Foca on MacOS
Outcome
Users Across the World
2000+ DAU
100+ countries
Active Users Live Stream
Users Love Foca
User Reviews in Googley Play & App Store
Recommend by influencers
Foca was recommended by Youtube influencer
Thoughts
What motivates me most in this project, is the far but close connections with the Foca users from worldwide.

We have one user from Somalia who sent his feedback to us. He expressed that he really likes Foca and it helped him a lot with his studies. He said the ambient sounds helped him focus and calm down. Also, he mentioned that he wanted to customize the Focus category based on different subjects of studies. (This feature was released in a later version).

I feel really impressed by this magical connection. Imagine in a country that’s even in wars and uneasiness, there are users using our app and find some time of inner peace.

There are also users from Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and etc... Some of them mentioned that they have tried many Pomodoro Apps, but find Foca most special and helpful. Because of its minimal design and also the reminder to stretch out after a period of working time.

Overall this project deeps my confidence to continue work as a designer and creator.
Next Project →

Want to

work together?

If you need a modern and powerful website for your business, startup or yourself, I am available for work. You can email me directly at yatinglu@outlook.com

© Yating Lu - 2021