OVERVIEW
Problem
Many set goals but struggle with structure and motivation. Traditional tools feel impersonal, focusing on tasks instead of emotional support. Consequently, goals fade, motivation drops, and long-term success is rare.
Outcome
Developed the AI-powered app that helps users set and achieve personal and professional goals, enabling the startup to secure $0.5M in early investments and position for the next funding round in 2 years.
CLIENT
SimplyDrive
GoalSpark is an AI-powered goal-setting platform that combines intelligent personalization with social shearing to help people stay motivated, achieve their ambitions, and inspire others along the way.
INFO
Role
UI/UX Designer
Team
3 co-founders, Product Designer & Me
RESEARCH
Understanding the problem
Through market and user research, several key challenges emerged:
- Lack of personalized guidance (Most goal-tracking tools offer a one-size-fits-all approach.)
- Motivation drop-off (Users lose drive without timely nudges or progress recognition.)
- Limited accountability (Without a supportive network, goals are more likely to be abandoned.)
- Fragmented experience (People juggle multiple apps for planning, tracking, and community.)
KEY FINDINGS
Major insights and findings
1
Accountability boosts success rates
Users are 65% more likely to reach goals when sharing progress publicly.
2
AI assistant can increase motivation
Personalized recommendations and adaptive reminders keep engagement higher over time.
3
Social connection is a key
Emotional support from friends, family, or a community creates motivation.
OPPORTUNITY
To create a single, integrated platform that merges AI-driven personalization with social accountability — turning goal achievement into an engaging, rewarding, and sustainable habit.
PERSONAS
Who I was designing for
Mia, Marketing Manager
“I know what I want to achieve, but I need a system that keeps me motivated and helps me stay consistent — otherwise, life just gets in the way.”
Goals:
Train for her first marathon, improve time management, and advance her career.
Frustrations:
Loses motivation after initial enthusiasm, struggles to stay accountable, and is overwhelmed by juggling multiple tools.
Needs:
A single platform that keeps her motivated, tracks her progress, and lets her share milestones with supportive people.
USER STORIES
Explaining our user’s perspective
To ensure the platform met the needs of users, we first needed to understand what features would deliver the most value. We chose to write user stories because they clearly describe what a user wants to do and why it matters, making the design process focused on real-world needs.
1
“I want to set a clear, achievable goal so that I can stay focused and track progress.”
Our Smart Goal Builder helps users create achievable goals by breaking them into milestones. The AI uses the SMART framework and generates a personalized roadmap, while a progress dashboard visualizes their journey and improvement.
2
“I want suggestions and reminders so that I remain motivated over time.”
We created an Adaptive AI Coach that sends personalized nudges and reminders based on user behavior. If a user misses a milestone, the AI adjusts the timeline or suggests smaller steps. It celebrates wins and encourages further progress.
3
“I want to share my achievements with friends so that I feel supported and inspired.”
We added a Social Layer for users to share milestones and updates with their network. Friends can react and encourage, while users join challenges or boards, fostering accountability and support.
CORE FEATURES
Brainstorm and ideate
My design goals: Generate innovative ideas, ensure solutions aligned with user needs, and establish a clear direction for a phased release strategy. Looking at our user stories, I focused on three core features.
1
AI goal coach
Personalized recommendations, reminders, and adaptive tracking.
2
Social network integration
Friends and family can support and celebrate progress.
3
Milestone tracking & rewards
Visual progress markers and gamified rewards for motivation.
SOLUTION 1
Smart goal structuring
AI helps break large goals into actionable steps with realistic timelines.
SOLUTION 2
Motivation Engine
Behavioral tips, progress graphics, and personalized encouragement messages.
SOLUTION 3
Community engagement tools
Shared feeds, and store with products that can boost the goal.
