Read the full case study below
The Concept (The "Why")
A minimalist web app to deliver a genuine moment of positive focus in a world of digital noise.
the inspiration
In a world of constant digital noise, people often need a quick, focused moment of positivity without the distraction of social media or complex apps.
The Human-Centered Solution
Daily Spark offers a curated, authentic, and distraction-free alternative. Instead of relying on AI to generate potentially hollow quotes, I personally curated a library of high-quality, meaningful quotes. The experience is powered by a simple algorithm that randomizes this human-selected content, ensuring a fresh yet trustworthy spark of motivation every time.
The Goal
Create a 5-second digital respite that feels authentic and empowering.
My Role
UX Designer, Content Curator, and Developer.
KEY INSIGHT
Authenticity beats automation. I chose to hand-pick the quotes to ensure quality and emotional resonance, using AI to enhance everything around the content.
How AI Supercharged the Process
I leveraged a multi-AI toolchain as a collaborative partner from initial concept through to functional development, accelerating my workflow through rapid iteration.
AI wasn't the content source but a force multiplier that helped me build a better vessel for human wisdom. I used the right AI tool for the right job at each stage, from high-level strategy to granular code and design tweaks.
-
Strategic Ideation (ChatGPT): I first used ChatGPT to develop the project's entire strategic foundation, including user needs, goals, and a full vision document to guide the project. We explored dozens of names, taglines, and content strategies. AI helped me quickly validate the core concept of a minimalist quote generator.
-
Execution & Iteration (Claude AI): Claude AI (Sonnet 4) was my primary partner for execution. I created 59 iterations of the app within Claude, meticulously refining:
-
UX Writing: The project title 'Daily Spark' and the tagline 'A little spark to brighten your day'.
-
UI Layouts: Exploring spacing, hierarchy, and alignment for the optimal minimalist look.
-
Micro-interactions: Iterating on the code and design for the celebratory confetti animation.
-
Development: Generating, debugging, and optimizing the JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to build the functional prototype.
-
THE DESIGN DECISIONS
Designed through 50+ iterations to achieve a balanced experience of calm and delight.
Every design choice was made to serve the user's need for a quick, positive distraction. The minimalist style isn't just aesthetic - it's functional, eliminating all noise to focus attention on the quote.
-
Human-Curated Content: The quotes are hand-picked from a personal library for quality and impact, making the experience feel more authentic and reliable than AI-generated text.
-
Calming Visual Language: A warm gradient background and generous white space create a calming, optimistic environment for reflection.
-
Delightful Micro-interaction: A burst of confetti upon clicking "New Quote" provides positive, celebratory feedback. This small detail transforms a simple action into a rewarding moment, reinforcing the app's uplifting purpose.
WHAT I LEARNED
This project solidified my role as a director of AI, not just a user of it.
The human designer's role is to direct, curate, and refine AI's output with intention and a critical eye.
-
Embrace the Iterative Process: The first version is never the final version. Creating 59 iterations taught me that true quality emerges from a willingness to generate, critique, and improve relentlessly until the solution feels right.
-
AI for Acceleration, Human for Heart: AI excels at generating options and breaking through creative blocks, but the final judgment, curation, and emotional intelligence must come from a human designer.
-
Right Tool for the Right Job: Using ChatGPT for high-level strategy and Claude for granular execution and code demonstrated the importance of selecting the optimal AI tool for each task.
-
Micro-interactions Create Macro-Impact: Small, delightful details like the confetti animation have an outsized effect on the user's emotional connection to a product.
-
Prompt Crafting is Design: Writing effective prompts is an iterative design skill that requires empathy, clarity, and constant refinement.
