Website design for an AI SaaS startup

NeuralTask.ai is a cutting-edge SaaS startup that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize task management, enabling users to simplify daily tasks and increase productivity. Their mission is to empower people to spend less time overwhelmed by mundane to-dos and more time enjoying life. With NeuralTask.ai, users can enter a task as simple as "wash car" or "plan a birthday party" and receive step-by-step instructions to complete it effectively and efficiently.

When NeuralTask.ai approached us at District-22, they had a brilliant concept but lacked a user-friendly interface to bring their AI-powered task management tool to life. Our objective was to design a UI/UX experience that was simple, intuitive, and visually compelling, enabling users to focus on the tasks themselves while letting the AI handle the complexities. This case study explores how we designed the web and mobile interface to maximize engagement, streamline task management, and create a seamless user experience.

Project Goals

Our primary objectives for the UI/UX design of NeuralTask.ai were as follows:

1. User-Centric Design: The platform needed to appeal to a broad audience, from busy professionals to everyday users. It had to be easy to use, even for those unfamiliar with AI technologies.
2. Engaging and Functional Interface: The interface had to be visually engaging while also maintaining a high level of functionality. It needed to allow users to input tasks effortlessly and receive AI-generated instructions in a simple, readable format.
3. Mobile Responsiveness: Since many users manage their tasks on the go, the platform needed to function seamlessly across desktop and mobile devices.
4. AI Integration: The design had to seamlessly integrate the AI’s capabilities, ensuring that the user journey from inputting a task to receiving a step-by-step guide was smooth and intuitive.
5. Clear and Intuitive Workflow: The task management flow had to be easy to follow, with minimal clicks required to access detailed task instructions, making it ideal for users who want quick and actionable results.

Research & Discovery

Before diving into the design process, we conducted extensive research to understand the user needs, behavior patterns, and best practices for task management tools. Here’s what we discovered:

• Competitor Analysis: We examined popular task management tools like Trello, Todoist, and Microsoft To Do. While these platforms are efficient, they often require a manual approach to task completion, lacking AI capabilities. We identified opportunities to simplify task management through AI-generated guidance.
• User Research: We created user personas based on feedback from busy professionals, students, and families. These personas helped us understand the diverse ways people approach tasks—whether they need help with productivity at work or in managing household chores.
• AI Interaction: Since the AI’s role was crucial to NeuralTask.ai, we focused on designing interactions that didn’t overwhelm users with technical jargon. The AI needed to feel like a helpful assistant, not an obstacle.

Design Process

1. Homepage UI/UX Design

The homepage serves as the introduction to NeuralTask.ai and had to quickly convey the platform’s value proposition. Our design approach included:

• Clear Call to Action (CTA): At the center of the homepage, we placed a prominent text input box labeled “What task do you want to complete today?” This allowed users to immediately engage with the platform by typing their task into the AI-driven system.
• Minimalist Design: To reduce cognitive load, we embraced a minimalist design philosophy. We focused on clean lines, white space, and intuitive icons, ensuring that users weren’t overwhelmed by too many options at once. This guided them naturally toward the task input process.
• Visuals and Animation: We used subtle animations to enhance user engagement without distracting from the primary function. For example, when users hover over the text box to input a task, a slight glow effect guides their attention.
• Explainer Section: Below the fold, we included a “How It Works” section to explain the platform’s process in three simple steps—input task, click ‘Go’, and receive instructions. We paired this with icons and short descriptive text for clarity.

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2. Task Interface Design

The task interface is the core of NeuralTask.ai’s functionality. It’s where users interact with the AI to receive step-by-step task instructions. Our design choices were focused on making this interaction as smooth and intuitive as possible:

• Task Input Field: At the top of the interface, users can input any task they need help with, such as “organize office desk” or “prepare for a presentation.” The input field was designed to be large and prominent, making it easy for users to identify and engage with.
• AI-Powered Instruction Flow: Once a task is inputted, the AI processes the request and returns step-by-step instructions within seconds. We designed these instructions to be displayed in a card-based format, with each step clearly labeled and numbered. Each card is expandable for more detailed information.
• User Feedback Loop: Users can click “Done” on each task step to mark it as complete. This interaction provides immediate feedback, enhancing user satisfaction as they progress through tasks. Additionally, a progress bar at the top visually tracks the user’s completion.
• Personalized Suggestions: Based on the tasks users input, NeuralTask.ai’s interface also suggests related tasks, improving user engagement by offering continuous support.

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3. User Dashboard

The dashboard serves as the hub where users can track their tasks, review completed tasks, and plan future ones. We prioritized functionality in this design:

• Task Overview: Users are greeted with an overview of their tasks categorized as “Pending,” “In Progress,” and “Completed.” A color-coded system (green for completed, orange for in progress, and gray for pending) helps users quickly navigate their tasks.
• Task History: Users can view past tasks and re-use them if necessary. This feature is particularly useful for recurring tasks, and the design ensures that past tasks are stored in an easily accessible, scrollable format.
• Calendar Integration: For users who want to manage their time more effectively, we incorporated a calendar view where they can assign tasks to specific days. The calendar was designed to sync with third-party tools such as Google Calendar, enhancing usability.

4. Mobile Design

Given that many users manage tasks on the go, we designed a fully responsive mobile version of NeuralTask.ai. Key features include:

• Simplified Layout: On mobile, we reduced visual clutter even further by designing a collapsible menu and utilizing a single-column layout. This ensures that users can focus on one task at a time without distractions.
• Quick Add Task: A floating action button allows users to quickly add tasks from any page on the mobile app, making the experience fluid and efficient.
• Swipe Functionality: For easy task management on mobile, we added swipe gestures to mark tasks as completed or delete them. This makes it easy for users to manage their tasks with simple, intuitive gestures.

5. AI Interaction Design

Since NeuralTask.ai’s primary differentiator is its AI capabilities, we focused heavily on ensuring that the AI felt approachable, intelligent, and user-friendly:

• Conversational UI: When users input a task, the AI responds in a conversational tone, making the process feel more interactive. For instance, if the user types “wash car,” the AI responds with, “Here’s how you can wash your car in 5 simple steps.”
• Adaptability: The AI provides task instructions that adapt based on the user’s feedback. For example, if a user marks a task step as unclear, the AI will offer alternative instructions or additional tips, ensuring that the user fully understands the task.
• Personalization: As users continue to interact with the AI, it learns their preferences, offering personalized suggestions for new tasks and more tailored instructions.

Design Elements and Visual Identity

Color Palette: We used a soft, calming color palette dominated by light blues and greens to create a productive yet relaxing environment for users. This palette visually reinforces the idea that NeuralTask.ai helps users manage tasks without stress.

Typography: We chose a modern sans-serif typeface to ensure readability across all devices. Headings are bold and eye-catching, while the body text is clear and easy to scan, making the instructions simple to follow.

Icons and Imagery: We utilized simple, intuitive icons to represent various tasks and actions, helping users quickly understand what they need to do next. Illustrative icons were used to add a friendly touch to the platform without overwhelming the user.

Results and Impact

The newly designed UI/UX for NeuralTask.ai achieved several key outcomes:

1. Increased User Engagement: The intuitive and visually appealing interface encouraged users to engage with the platform more frequently. The AI-powered task flow was particularly popular, as users found the step-by-step instructions clear and actionable.
2. Higher Task Completion Rates: By simplifying the task input and management process, the platform saw higher task completion rates. Users appreciated the streamlined workflow and the AI’s ability to break down even the most complex tasks into manageable steps.
3. Positive User Feedback: The conversational tone of the AI, combined with the clean, easy-to-use design, resulted in positive feedback from early users. Many users commented on how much more productive they felt using the platform.

Conclusion

Our collaboration with NeuralTask.ai allowed us to create a user-centric, AI-powered task management tool that makes everyday tasks simpler, quicker, and less stressful. By focusing on clear task flows, intuitive design elements, and seamless AI integration, we helped bring NeuralTask.ai’s innovative concept to life, empowering users to enjoy more of what matters in life.

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