The development of Productivity began with a course prompt encouraging us to explore alternative dimensions and visualizations of time. I chose to focus on time perception—specifically the phenomenon of temporal dilation that occurs when avoiding an unwanted task. Drawing from my own habits and observations of fellow students, I explored how procrastination often manifests through repeated clock-checking and digital distractions such as messaging apps and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The app was designed as an experimental screen-lock interface that visualized this distorted perception of time: the more the user attempted to avoid their task by unlocking their phone, the more visually cluttered and disruptive the interface became, reinforcing the sensation of time slowing down. Inspired by the structured layout of Google Drive’s file system—where many students store their academic work—the design began as minimal and orderly, gradually becoming increasingly chaotic to mirror the mental state of procrastination.

Through professor feedback and prototype testing, the concept evolved into a refined visual system that translated an abstract psychological experience into an interactive design narrative. The final deliverable was an animated concept video created in After Effects, presenting the app as a speculative prototype.