As a frequent user of Google Keep, I value its simplicity and integration within the Google ecosystem, but found it lacking as a dedicated workspace for serious notetaking. This project explores strategic design updates that strengthen organization, usability, and depth positioning Google Keep to better support users and compete with modern note-taking platforms.
Passion Project
Product Design
Passion Project
Analysis
Information Architecture
Mapped the complete information architecture of Google Keep, simplifying core structures and access points. This revealed opportunities to improve navigation, user flow, and feature integration.
*Simplified View
User Task
Stepping into the mindset of the everyday user, what task would they produce? Five tasks dedicated to each individual actions available to do within Google Keep, understanding ways to simplify such actions.
Competitor Analysis
Finding the main competitors to Google Keep understanding their core strengths that an audience would gravitate towards. In what ways Google Keep could improve from these competitors and additionally excel past.
Ideate
Problems
There are three main problems that currently revolve around Google Keep being a standout in the note taking application space. Restricting current users to use Keep as a dedicated note taking space, especially with the Google ecosystem.
Design Opportunities
Navigating through the problems, how may we address the concerns with new opportunities? The six ways to improve Google Keep does seem simple, but that is what Google Keep currently offers "simple", so let's add complexity.
Design
A customizable taskbar designed for fast, intentional note creation
The original web toolbar hid key features and lacked consistency with mobile. The redesigned taskbar provides persistent access to all note types and Gemini, with an edit mode that lets users prioritize their most-used tools. This preserves speed while reducing friction and visual clutter.
A structured system for managing notes at scale
Tags previously functioned as folders, creating clutter and limiting organization for large note libraries. The new sidebar separates folders and tags into two distinct layers, with optional note counts for quick visibility. This provides scalable structure while remaining lightweight.
Unlocking expressive and structured writing for advanced workflows
Text notes were limited to basic formatting, restricting clarity and long-term usability. Expanded typography, lists, and layout controls allow users to create more structured and scannable notes, reducing abandonment and improving reuse.
AI that organizes your thoughts, not replaces them
Gemini acts as a tool to the note taker with three ways to integrate Gemini by organization of notes, suggested layouts, and new ways to note take. It improves clarity and structure without generating content or disrupting user ownership of ideas.
Final Design
