Mento – Minimalist Productivity App That Actually Respects Your Time




Mento – Minimalist Productivity App That Actually Respects Your Time

Born out of a personal frustration with the overwhelming clutter and feature bloat of traditional productivity apps, I conceived and designed Mento.

My vision was to create a truly minimalist solution that not only simplifies daily organization but genuinely respects the user's time and focus.

Built entirely in Figma, Mento elegantly unifies essential tools like tasks, reminders, notes, and goals into one cohesive, intuitive experience, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform everyday management into a calm and efficient process.

Born out of a personal frustration with the overwhelming clutter and feature bloat of traditional productivity apps, I conceived and designed Mento.

My vision was to create a truly minimalist solution that not only simplifies daily organization but genuinely respects the user's time and focus.

Built entirely in Figma, Mento elegantly unifies essential tools like tasks, reminders, notes, and goals into one cohesive, intuitive experience, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform everyday management into a calm and efficient process.

Project Type

Project Type

Personal Concept – Mobile Productivity App

Tools Used

Figma (UI Design, Prototyping, Component System)

Design Focus

Simplicity, Interaction Clarity, Visual Consistency

Completion Time

Completion Time

1 Month

Skills Applied

Skills Applied

UI/UX Design
Product Thinking
Interaction Design
Design System Setup
Mobile-First Design

Challenge

Most productivity apps try to do everything and they end up feeling overwhelming, bloated, or utilitarian. I wanted to design a focused alternative: something that could support goals, notes, tasks, and reminders in one unified space - without clutter or cognitive fatigue.

But beyond usability, I had a second challenge: making productivity feel designed. Mento needed to be aesthetically refined - not just functional, but visually calming, modern, and something users would actually enjoy looking at. I wanted to bridge the gap between utility and visual delight. I think that great UX isn't just about usability, it's also about emotional connection.

Results

Mento’s interface is intentionally simple. No tabs, no distractions, just one core timeline with smart categorization and bold but minimal UI choices. The red accent color offers clarity and focus, while the overall design stays neutral and light, avoiding the clinical feel of most planner apps.

Though this was a personal project, the prototype received strong feedback from designers for its balance of clarity and visual polish. It helped me sharpen not just my UX skills, but my eye for modern interface aesthetics that feel personal and purposeful.


The Single Plus Button

Unified task, note, and goal creation for streamlined input.

Red Accent Color

Strategic use to highlight critical actions and chosen date, guiding user focus.

Goals Progress Bar

Visualized abstract progress into tangible, motivating increments.

The Single Plus Button

Unified task, note, and goal creation for streamlined input.

Red Accent Color

Strategic use to highlight critical actions and chosen date, guiding user focus.

Goals Progress Bar

Visualized abstract progress into tangible, motivating increments.

Process

1. Getting Started: Really Understanding the Problem

  • My Goal Here: I kicked things off by diving deep into why most productivity apps feel overwhelming. I didn't just look at what was out there; I really tried to understand where users got stuck and what made them feel cluttered or frustrated. This involved checking out other apps and piecing together common complaints.

  • What I Achieved: This initial research helped me nail down Mento's core purpose: to be a truly simple, peaceful, and effective digital helper that puts focus first, not endless features. Knowing this upfront guided every decision I made.


2. Structuring Mento: Making It Easy to Use

  • My Goal Here: Once I knew the problem, I focused on building Mento's backbone, how everything would connect and flow. I thought through how someone would use the app, from adding a quick note to planning their whole day. My aim was to make every action feel natural and effortless.

  • What I Achieved: I designed a super clear structure that breaks down complex features into simple, easy-to-understand parts. This "under-the-hood" simplicity is what makes Mento's dashboard, quick entry forms, and daily timeline so intuitive.


3. Sketching & Testing

  • My Goal Here: This was about getting ideas out fast and seeing what worked. I started with basic sketches and then moved quickly into interactive prototypes. This let me test out how different parts of the app would feel and respond, even before spending too much time on visuals.

  • What I Achieved: By building and testing early versions, I could see what truly felt smooth and user-friendly. This hands-on, iterative process helped me refine the user experience significantly, making sure Mento's minimalist look translated into genuinely fluid interactions.


4. Bringing it to Life Visually

  • My Goal Here: The final look of Mento was a deliberate choice to help users focus. I carefully picked colors and shapes that felt calming and clear. I also set up a clear design system, like a rulebook for all the visual elements in order to keep everything consistent, from buttons to fonts.

  • What I Achieved: I landed on a clean, inviting look for Mento, using soft colors with a pop of red where it mattered most. This not only resulted in a beautiful app but also established a solid, consistent design foundation that's easy to understand and use.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Mento is a showcase of how intentional design can transform everyday frustrations into moments of calm and productivity. This solo project was an invaluable experience in owning the entire product design lifecycle, confirming my dedication to building intuitive, impactful, and beautiful digital solutions that truly serve their users.