BURSTS
A dopamine-friendly focus timer for flexible work sessions
ROLE
Product Designer (0 -> 1)
SCOPE
UX/UI, iOS build (Cursor)
TIMELINE
2 Week Sprint (Dec 2025)
Try iOS beta (TestFlight)
OVERVIEW
What if we worked with our spontaneous focus and dopamine-seeking behavior for productivity?
Rigid schedules, task planning, and completion-based rewards create friction and shame when work sessions derail. A focus tool that prioritizes momentum over completion could reduce friction and increase follow-through.
SOLUTION
A focus timer that lets users:
Start work instantly
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Switch contexts freely
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Track progress flexibly
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tap to pop!
Lightweight visual interactions to offer a contained outlet for dopamine-seeking behavior to buffer users from switching to external distractions.
OUTCOME
Currently beta testing with early users
INITIAL OBSERVATIONS
There are many ways productivity tools try to help people work, often optimizing for different behaviors:
Gamification and streaks
Rigid time blocking and schedules
Social accountability
Task prioritization and planning systems
The variety of models suggests that productivity isn’t a single problem to solve, but a set of competing mental models about how work should happen.
I stumbled across ADHD productivity reels and noticed a recurring theme:
Many people were planning less and using timers more to just start working.
Tools weren’t being used to optimize schedules or priorities. Instead, they were being used to offload the cognitive effort required to begin.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
EXPECTATIONS
Planning
🙂
Focused Work
😊
REALITY
Planning
🙂
Drift / Unplanned Work
🙂
Replan
😕
Short Work
😞
Instead of making an app for the perfect schedules and optimal productivity, I wanted to explore a tool that prioritized starting.
DESIGN GOALS & PRINCIPLES
A set of constraints that guided every product decision.
Reduce friction to start
No required setup and one tap to start working
Flexibility for unplanned work
Switching focus is expected and easy to do
Avoid shame-based motivator
No guilt-inducing language or feedback loop
Work with modern attention
Support focus without ignoring distraction
DESIGN PROCESS
check out some of my other projects!
FIBEY
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AI SPRINTS
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