Overview
This project explores a Google Calendar Extension designed to help users track and visualize how they spend their time.
By turning scheduling into a form of self-reflection, the tool gives users a deeper look into how their time aligns with their goals, energy levels, and priorities. Inspired by the clarity and simplicity of budgeting apps, the extension offers intuitive visualizations, filters, and indicators to help users plan with intention.
Problem
Most digital calendars are great at organizing what needs to get done, but they don’t offer much insight into how time is actually being used.
After years of experimenting with planners, systems, and productivity tools, I realized what I really wanted: a way to measure if my time actually aligned with my goals and values. I wanted to see where my time was going and not just what was slapped on the schedule.
Existing calendar apps leave users on their own to figure out what works.
Inspiration
I was inspired by budgeting apps and online banking dashboards, which clearly show where money goes using clean charts, categories, and filters. I thought what if time could be visualized in the same way? What if calendar data could become time "budget" insights?
I decided to create a system that shows where time is being "spent," with visual cues and comparison tools to support more intentional planning.
Research
While this was a personal project, it was built on years of observation, trial and error, and exploration of a lot of tools. I analyzed how platforms like Notion, Apple Calendar, Todoist, and budgeting apps structured information, and noted what worked and what didn’t work.
I looked for ways people customized their calendars, and identified gaps in how data could be surfaced more meaningfully.
Design Goals
Visualize time spent by customizable categories and filters
Offer comparisons between time periods (e.g., quater-to-quater)
Let users mark events as tentative or flexible
Support planning based on energy and goals, not just availability
Encourage reflection and behavior change
Process
Wireframes
To explore layout ideas for both the calendar integration and the separate dashboard view, I began with quick sketches and low-fidelity wireframes, as always.
Prototype 1: Tentative Events
I designed a new interaction within Google Calendar that allows users to mark events as "tentative." These events appear with a subtle diagonal line overlay to indicate flexibility, helping users visually distinguish between confirmed and optional time blocks.
Prototype 2: Time Dashboard
The second prototype shows a standalone dashboard where users can view time usage analytics. This includes:
Charts showing time spent per category (e.g., work, fitness, learning)
Week-over-week comparisons with percentage differences
Filters to toggle time ranges and categories
Time Budget Dashboard
Time Budget Dashboard
Outcome
I created high-fidelity designs and interactive prototypes in Figma that explore new ways to bring intentionality into digital scheduling. The project clarified how visuals and micro-interactions can support better decision-making and self-awareness when it comes to time. While not yet a live product, this concept lays the groundwork for deeper integrations between productivity tools and user-centered insights.
Tentative event task flow
Tentative Event Task Flow
To address the issue of unconfirmed events, we introduced the Tentative Event Indicator. When creating a new event in Google Calendar, users can now check a box to mark events as tentative. This feature provides clearer visibility and better management of schedules by distinguishing events that may or may not occur.
Prototype Demonstration
👇Check out the prototype to see it in action.
View Event Indicator Prototype