‘Zenkit To Do’s’ redesign is a big mistake

The drag-and-drop functionality, which recently included a simple but effective update allowing users to angle list items being dragged, made organizing tasks a joy. Users, particularly those with OCD, loved the customisable themes and clear, spaced-out interface that allowed them to focus without distractions.

However, the recent design update to Zenkit To Do has left many of us—longtime users—disappointed and frustrated. The app, which once felt like a breath of fresh air, now feels cluttered, disjointed, and broken.

A Tale of Two Designs

When comparing the old design to the new, the differences are glaring. The previous design (as seen in the first image) embraced a visually appealing approach with rounded edges, clear sections, and a thoughtful colour palette that made navigation intuitive. In contrast, the new design (second image) feels sterile and uninspired.

Design Issues:

1. No Colour: The new design strips away the colourful, vibrant elements that made Zenkit To Do easy to navigate. Without these, the interface feels flat and it’s harder to distinguish between different sections or tasks at a glance.
2. No Padding: The lack of adequate padding means that the interface feels cramped. This not only makes it visually unappealing but also leads to frequent misclicks. Users are now accidentally selecting the wrong tasks or lists, which is both frustrating and counter productive.
3. Misplaced Icons and Images: The shopping list entry, for instance, now features a tiny, almost illegible image, as I have an image in that list. This design choice feels out of place and distracts the user without adding any real value. It’s a far cry from the cohesive, polished look of the previous version.

Unnecessary Clutter:

The new design also introduces a series of unnecessary elements that clutter the interface:

1. Help Section: There’s now a dedicated “Help” section that sits prominently on the main screen. This is baffling—how often does one need help? This should be tucked away in the settings menu, accessed via the cog icon, not taking up valuable screen real estate.
2. Search Bar: Instead of a simple icon at the top, “Search” now occupies a full line with text. It’s redundant, as most users intuitively know to look for a search icon at the top of the screen.
3. Redundant Create Buttons: The “Create” function is not only given its own line but is also repeated with a large screen icon at the bottom. This kind of duplication is unnecessary and goes against the principles of a clean, minimalist design. Moreover, the account holder’s name is displayed twice, no sorry three times, adding to the unnecessary repetition and clutter.
4. Increased Inbox Notifications: In the new version, my inbox has ballooned to 321 items, all of which are repeated reminders that clutter the list. This isn’t helpful—it’s overwhelming. This increase in notifications only adds to the sense of chaos in the new design.

A Better Approach to Design Updates

The most frustrating part of this update is that it could have been handled so much better. Look at what companies like Yahoo have done in recent years:

1. Introduce New Themes Gradually: A welcome splash screen could have introduced users to the new design, giving them a choice to try it out or stick with the old version.
2. Offer a Revert Option: Always leave a button in the settings area to revert to the previous design if users prefer it. This respects long-time users who may not appreciate sudden changes.

From a coding perspective, this approach isn’t complicated. The design should be separated from the data, allowing the app to check if the user has opted into the new design theme and load it accordingly. If not, the app should simply load the legacy theme. It’s a simple solution that could have saved Zenkit To Do from alienating its loyal user base.