Designing a reading experience optimized for distracted commuters.
OVERVIEW
Transit Read is a mobile reading experience designed for commuters who struggle to focus while reading in distracting transit environments. The project explored how interaction design, pacing, and multimodal feedback could support accessibility, engagement, and retention during short-form reading sessions.
THE PROBLEM
Reading on public transit can be difficult due to constant interruptions, environmental distractions, and cognitive overload. For some users especially, maintaining focus and retaining information during commutes can become frustrating and inconsistent.
MY APPROACH
Designing an experience for focus and continuity
I explored interaction systems that combined audio, pacing cues, adaptive reading layouts, and simplified navigation to create a more supportive reading experience during transit.
USER INSIGHTS
1. Designing for the realities of NYC commuting
8M
NYC residents
A dense commuter environment where everyday movement often happens in crowded, distracting conditions.
2/3
Subway riders
A large portion of New Yorkers rely on the subway, making transit time a key opportunity for short reading sessions.
30.4
Minutes each way
Commutes create enough time to read, but not always enough consistency to stay focused without support.
2. Understanding commuter reading behavior
reading harder to maintain in distracting environments like public transit.
2.5 min
Average sustained screen attention before attention patterns became increasingly fragmented.
47 sec
Reduced attention windows created a need for shorter, calmer, and easier-to-resume reading experiences
3. The Solution
Transit Read creates a calmer, more flexible reading flow for commuters by reducing friction, supporting quick re-entry, and connecting reading materials to moments of movement.
Reading
continuity tools
Features designed to help users quickly resume interrupted reading sessions and maintain engagement during short commutes.
Simplified interface design
A cleaner, lower-friction reading experience focused on readability, accessibility, and reduced cognitive overload.
Connected
library access
Integrated library connectivity allowing users to seamlessly discover, save, and access reading materials while commuting.
Interviews with frequent subway riders revealed recurring challenges around focus, accessibility, and maintaining reading habits during transit. These findings helped define the core experience priorities for Transit Read.
Ryan
Student · 21 · Daily subway commuter
Behaviors
Reads during long subway rides, uses free or low-cost reading platforms, and often switches between short attention tasks while commuting.
Frustrations
Struggles to stay focused in crowded transit environments, resume reading after interruptions, and navigate cluttered reading apps.
Goals
Create a calmer reading experience, make commute time feel more useful, and continue reading across short transit sessions.
Research revealed that commuters faced recurring friction around time, attention, and accessibility while trying to maintain reading habits during transit.
Long commutes
Riders spend significant time in transit and often look for lightweight ways to stay engaged during daily commutes.
Limited time
Busy schedules make it difficult for users to consistently visit libraries or maintain reading routines.
Digital distractions
Notifications, social media, games, and multitasking behaviors constantly interrupt reading sessions.
Physical distractions
Crowded subway environments, noise, and constant movement make sustained focus difficult.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
reading spaces
We analyzed existing reading platforms to identify gaps around accessibility, commuter behavior, retention, and reading continuity during transit.
Kindle
Strong reading ecosystem and personalization, but designed primarily for long-form, uninterrupted reading sessions.
Libby
Seamless public library integration, though discovery and commuter-focused engagement features felt limited.
Wattpad
Highly engaging social reading experience with strong retention mechanics, but less structured for focused reading habits.
Serial Reader
Adapted reading into shorter sessions effectively, though the interface and pacing experience felt more static and utility-driven.
These findings informed a perceptual positioning map focused on balancing commuter-friendly usability, engagement, and sustained reading retention.
Mapped onboarding, discovery, library integration, and reading flows to better understand how users would navigate the product across short and interrupted transit sessions.
Developed a lightweight visual system across typography, iconography, navigation, and reusable UI components to maintain consistency throughout the reading experience.
Easy Online Library Checkout
Reading Summaries for Retention
Focus Mode