Nook isn’t just a better-looking calendar app. Nook frees up people's time, so high-performing teams can focus on what actually matters.
In a crowded market of productivity tools, we identified opportunities to differentiate our product by focusing on a user-centric approach, enhancing functionality, and creating a seamless experience that merges efficiency with delight. This led to pivotal updates like the personal booking page and an improved onboarding flow. These changes contributed directly to increased site traffic and monthly active users (MAU).
Our work was recognized when Nook Calendar earned the coveted titles of #1 Product of the Day and #3 Product of the Week on Product Hunt.
Video Production and Assets for Launch
When launching on Product Hunt, we knew the power of visual storytelling would be key to success. I produced a dynamic product video to showcase Nook Calendar’s core feature set in an engaging and accessible way. I designed all supporting assets for the launch, including static visuals and motion graphics, and actively contributed to audience engagement throughout the campaign.
Impact:
Streamlining Permissions and User Education
One of the key challenges during onboarding was creating a flow that not only guided users through authentication and privacy permissions but also communicated the value of the product in an engaging way. I redesigned the onboarding process to be more intuitive, balancing technical requirements with user motivation.
To showcase the core functionality of the "People Bar", I developed an animated sequence that demonstrated its collaborative features before asking users to invite or add colleagues. By visually highlighting this key feature upfront, we reduced user hesitation and improved engagement. Through this work, I created new internal standards within our design system for how Nook commuciates with new users.
Key Adjustments:
Wizard Setup and Booking Experience
The personal booking page was an opportunity to distinguish Nook Calendar in a market dominated by tools like Calendly. I led the design for a clean and intuitive setup wizard that allowed users to:
Recognizing the importance of a mobile-friendly experience, I adjusted the flow for Nook’s iOS app to ensure users had the same intuitive setup process regardless of device.
Designing a Friendlier Booking Experience
We also addressed common criticisms around our competitor, Calendly’s somewhat impersonal booking process. I designed a welcome page to provide a warmer, more approachable first impression for visitors before they selected a time to meet. This subtle shift aligned Nook’s design language with its values: efficiency meets human connection.
How can we best engage and educate people about Nook Calendar?
I took on the redesign of Nook Calendar’s corporate website, pairing polished messaging with a mix of mobile, web, and desktop visuals to highlight the product's versatility. The update solidified Nook’s positioning in the market as the smart calendar for busy professionals.
Clickable Design
To enhance user engagement, the site is designed to feel intentionally clickable, encouraging visitors to explore further—whether linking deeper into the page or transitioning seamlessly into the web app.
Engaging Content
Scroll animations and other animated content is incorporated to visually demonstrate Nook Calendar’s functionality. For example, I designed an animated showcase for a changelog entry, effectively communicating the capabilities of the custom booking page in a way that grabbed attention and explained its value at a glance.
Waitlist Site
In parallel, I developed Getnook.app, a dedicated site to promote an upcoming product and capture early interest. I implemented a two-part form that stored responses in a single web form, streamlining user data collection and enabling the team to nurture waitlist sign-ups effectively.
Impact:
Reflections
My work with Nook Calendar was guided by the belief that great design solves real problems. By prioritizing user feedback, visual storytelling, and thoughtful interaction design, we successfully positioned Nook as a standout tool for busy professionals. After my time with the company, Nook pivoted towards developing an AI-powered notes application called Bloks—a shift that reflects the team’s continued commitment to innovation and adaptability in the evolving productivity landscape.
