Micro User Research Sprint
A concept for adding locked notes to Google Keep, balancing simplicity with privacy through a secure folder and fingerprint-protected access.
A concept for adding locked notes to Google Keep, balancing simplicity with privacy through a secure folder and fingerprint-protected access.
Click here to see the full case study in Notion!
Click here to see the full case study in Notion!
Challenge
Google Keep is praised for its simplicity, but users frequently express frustration over the lack of a way to lock individual notes. Many rely on the app for sensitive information, like journal entries, passwords, or personal reminders, but are forced to either use insecure workarounds or abandon the app altogether for alternatives like Apple Notes or Samsung Notes. This gap between user needs and functionality highlights a growing expectation: even lightweight tools should offer basic privacy options without sacrificing usability.
Results
Through a micro user research sprint using Reddit, app reviews, and user comments, I uncovered a clear pattern: users want a simple, optional note-level lock feature to protect select content. My solution proposes a seamless “Locked Folder” option that uses device-level security (PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID) and keeps the interface clean and intuitive. The proposed feature aligns with user expectations for control and convenience, and if implemented, could reduce churn, increase session duration, and improve overall satisfaction with the app.
Mockups
The above mockups showcase key screens from my proposed Locked Notes feature for Google Keep. On the web version, a new “Locked Folder” tab is added to the sidebar, allowing users to easily access all of their secured notes in one dedicated space. On mobile, one screen displays the fingerprint verification prompt that appears when a user attempts to open a locked note, providing a seamless layer of biometric security. The second mobile screen shows how users can add a note to the locked folder by tapping the three-dot menu, keeping the action simple and consistent with existing UI patterns. These designs aim to introduce privacy-focused functionality while preserving the clean, user-friendly experience that makes Google Keep popular.
Challenge
Google Keep is praised for its simplicity, but users frequently express frustration over the lack of a way to lock individual notes. Many rely on the app for sensitive information, like journal entries, passwords, or personal reminders, but are forced to either use insecure workarounds or abandon the app altogether for alternatives like Apple Notes or Samsung Notes. This gap between user needs and functionality highlights a growing expectation: even lightweight tools should offer basic privacy options without sacrificing usability.
Results
Through a micro user research sprint using Reddit, app reviews, and user comments, I uncovered a clear pattern: users want a simple, optional note-level lock feature to protect select content. My solution proposes a seamless “Locked Folder” option that uses device-level security (PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID) and keeps the interface clean and intuitive. The proposed feature aligns with user expectations for control and convenience, and if implemented, could reduce churn, increase session duration, and improve overall satisfaction with the app.
Mockups
The above mockups showcase key screens from my proposed Locked Notes feature for Google Keep. On the web version, a new “Locked Folder” tab is added to the sidebar, allowing users to easily access all of their secured notes in one dedicated space. On mobile, one screen displays the fingerprint verification prompt that appears when a user attempts to open a locked note, providing a seamless layer of biometric security. The second mobile screen shows how users can add a note to the locked folder by tapping the three-dot menu, keeping the action simple and consistent with existing UI patterns. These designs aim to introduce privacy-focused functionality while preserving the clean, user-friendly experience that makes Google Keep popular.
Challenge
Google Keep is praised for its simplicity, but users frequently express frustration over the lack of a way to lock individual notes. Many rely on the app for sensitive information, like journal entries, passwords, or personal reminders, but are forced to either use insecure workarounds or abandon the app altogether for alternatives like Apple Notes or Samsung Notes. This gap between user needs and functionality highlights a growing expectation: even lightweight tools should offer basic privacy options without sacrificing usability.
Results
Through a micro user research sprint using Reddit, app reviews, and user comments, I uncovered a clear pattern: users want a simple, optional note-level lock feature to protect select content. My solution proposes a seamless “Locked Folder” option that uses device-level security (PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID) and keeps the interface clean and intuitive. The proposed feature aligns with user expectations for control and convenience, and if implemented, could reduce churn, increase session duration, and improve overall satisfaction with the app.
Mockups
The above mockups showcase key screens from my proposed Locked Notes feature for Google Keep. On the web version, a new “Locked Folder” tab is added to the sidebar, allowing users to easily access all of their secured notes in one dedicated space. On mobile, one screen displays the fingerprint verification prompt that appears when a user attempts to open a locked note, providing a seamless layer of biometric security. The second mobile screen shows how users can add a note to the locked folder by tapping the three-dot menu, keeping the action simple and consistent with existing UI patterns. These designs aim to introduce privacy-focused functionality while preserving the clean, user-friendly experience that makes Google Keep popular.