Theorem One
Theorem One is an iOS productivity app that evolved from a feature-heavy scheduling tool into a simpler energy management experience designed to help users reduce cognitive fatigue. Instead of only helping users manage time, the app helps them recognize their mental state and switch activities more intentionally.
Project Type
Group Project & Individual Evolution
Project For
Apple Foundation Program @UC
Role
Full-Stack iOS Developer
Platform
iOS
Year
2025
Technology Stack
The Challenges & Solutions
Escaping the Feature Trap
During the Apple Foundation Program, our team initially believed that adding more smart scheduling features would make the app more useful. However, feedback and reflection showed that the real problem was not only time management, but **mental fatigue** caused by staying in the same cognitive mode for too long. This insight led me to simplify the product and redesign it around energy awareness.
Brain Switching
I explored the idea that burnout can happen when users stay in the same type of mental activity for too long. To address this, I built a **SwiftUI-based activity state system** that recommends switching between different activity categories, such as logic-based, creative, or physical tasks. The goal was to help users create healthier transitions instead of continuously pushing through fatigue.
The Impact I Made
While I built the initial complex architecture during the program, my most significant impact was having the courage to **tear down my own code** to build a more empathetic product. My biggest contribution was not adding more features, but having the willingness to **simplify the product** after realizing that the original direction created unnecessary complexity. This project helped me understand that a successful product is not measured by how many features it has, but by how clearly it solves the **user's real problem**.
What I Learned
Theorem One became one of my most important lessons in **design thinking**. I learned that building more features does not always create a better product. Sometimes, it only adds more friction. Mentor feedback during the Apple Foundation Program helped me realize that I was **too attached to my first solution**. Since then, I have learned to fall in love with the problem, listen to feedback earlier, and design simpler experiences that respect the user's limited energy.