CHROME EXTENSION * DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN

Time timer mod for chrome

: A time management extension for Chrome browser users

OVERVIEW

ROLE

Designer

Developer

TIMELINE

Apr 2023 - Aug 2023

SKILLS

JavaScript

Manifest V2

TOOLS

Chrome Extension API

JavaScript

HTML / CSS

Figma

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Staying focused in a browser filled with distractions is challenging. While physical timers help, they require users to look away, disrupting workflow.


To solve this, I created a Chrome extension that turns the browser's border into a visual timer. This lets users track time intuitively without breaking focus, enhancing productivity and improving the user experience.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

🏆 Published on Chrome Web Store

📈 30+ Active Users

  • Successfully onboarded over 30 active users during the initial release phase, showcasing effective user acquisition strategies and the extension’s practicality in improving productivity.

⭐ Maintained a 5.0 Rating

  • Achieved and Maintained a 5.0 User Rating, demonstrating high user satisfaction and validating the extension’s seamless functionality and user-focused design.

Challenges & Learnings

  • Adapted to a New Development Environment: Unlike traditional web or mobile development, this project required working within the unique framework of a Google Chrome extension. I had to thoroughly study and understand this new development environment, gaining valuable insights into how extensions operate and interact with browser APIs.

  • Explored Workers for Efficient Processing: I also explored the use of workers for handling additional tasks, enabling me to offload processes to separate threads. This was crucial in maintaining performance and ensuring the timer remained responsive under various conditions.

  • Ensured Timer Accuracy Across Browser Scenarios: To ensure the timer functioned accurately even during screen scrolling, tab switching, or when the tab lost focus, I learned about the background concept in Chrome extensions. This allowed me to maintain the timer’s state and logic independently of the user interface.

Final Product

Problem & Context

How can we help users stay focused in a world full of digital distractions?
The modern browser is a treasure trove of information and entertainment, but it also presents a serious challenge: staying productive. Despite the growing popularity of productivity tools, distractions are only a click away, making it hard to maintain concentration. Physical timers, like phones or alarm clocks, are often used to combat this, but they require users to look away from their screens, disrupting their workflow and pulling them out of the moment.


In a world where digital immersion is inevitable, how can we help users stay in the flow of their work while being mindful of time? Our design project’s mission is to create an intuitive, digital-first solution that integrates seamlessly into the browser environment, enabling users to stay productive without sacrificing focus.

Goals

To create a browser-integrated visual timer that helps users stay focused, manage time intuitively, and enhance productivity without disrupting their workflow.


✅ Develop a visual timer that intuitively helps manage time within the browser environment.

✅ Enhance productivity without disrupting focus through seamless design.

✅ Provide a simple yet powerful user experience with intuitive UI/UX.

Solution

Developed a Chrome extension that transforms the browser’s border into a dynamic visual timer. This solution allows users to stay immersed in their tasks while effortlessly tracking time, eliminating the need for physical timers. The design prioritizes simplicity, usability, and seamless integration to enhance focus and productivity.

How Scripts Work Together :

User Test

💬 “I love how seamless and non-intrusive this extension is. It keeps me aware of time without distracting me.” - User A

💬 “This is exactly what I needed to manage my work sessions without switching to another timer app.” - User B

Future Improvements

🚀 Increase User Adoption & Optimization

• Expand downloads on the Chrome Web Store and incorporate user feedback to enhance features.


🎨 Customization Options

• Add user-defined theme settings (e.g., dark mode, color customization).


📱 Support for Other Browsers

• Explore expansion beyond Chrome to Firefox, Edge, and other environments.

Have ideas, feedback, or just want to chat?

Let's Connect!🚀

I'd love to hear from you! Let's grab a virtual coffee - just drop me an email. ☕

2025 Josh Jang