Gauge the gap

Gauge the gap

Jun 2024

Product

Concept

Context

This exploration was a creative detour while working on the Goal Dashboard for the Scripbox app. I was exploring ideas to visualise a user’s financial goal, things like current progress, target and the amount by which it is off-track.

Inspiration

During this phase, I got inspired by level gauges, those tools used to check if a surface is flat. It made me think: what if the same concept could show how far a goal is off-track.

Level gauge inspiration

Visualising

I started iterating with a flat shape, but the layout felt too rigid. As I kept iterating, a circular arc started to feel more balanced and dynamic. The final iteration ended up somewhere between a speedometer and a level gauge.

Initial sketch iteration

Final sketch iteration

  • The middle represents the ideal on-track state.

  • Off-track deviation is highlighted.

  • Dotted line shows the current goal value.

Initial sketch iteration

Final Design

Since this was purely a concept exploration, I gave myself full creative freedom and designed it in dark mode; it helped the visual metaphor stand out and gave the screen more contrast.

I used bold red to highlight the off-track state, making it feel urgent and nudging users to take action.

Final design - Off-track state

Final design - On-track State

Final design - Off-track State (Light Mode)

Response

I shared a short animated video of the final design with the client and on X/Twitter and received positive engagement and feedback.

Vinu Aakash © 2025

Vinu Aakash © 2025

Vinu Aakash © 2025