Merging Empathy, Technology, and Health
The Problem
Curatio was envisioned as a sanctuary for those grappling with chronic conditions and bridged the gap between individuals seeking camaraderie and crucial health resources provided by respected health organizations. Two primary concerns were brought to light: the need for a consolidated system catering to users with diverse conditions and a fragmented platform that didn't cater to those preferring desktop access.
My Role
Ahead of me lay a two-fold mission: First, to create an integrated platform for users with diverse health conditions; second, to maintain visibility and relevance for partnering health organizations.
Our transformative journey was backed by a stellar team consisting of a UX designer, content expert, and skilled engineers.
Empathetic Insights
We understood the significance of accessibility and thus carried out an in-depth ethnographic examination. By engaging in group conversations with individuals impacted by Parkinson's, cancer, and heart disease, we obtained a thorough comprehension of our users' environment and requirements.
Our discussions with renowned partners like the Davis Phiney Foundation and the Heart and Stroke Foundation also helped us understand their aspirations. This, in turn, allowed us to create detailed user personas, establish user pathways, and determine the vital components required for Curatio's transformation.
Our Approach
Iterative Refinement
During our exploration, we thoroughly evaluated Curatio's original mobile interface. We identified areas of difficulty and gained a better understanding of what an ideal onboarding experience would look like for our diverse user base. To achieve faster onboarding processes and higher user satisfaction, we engaged in a continuous cycle of testing, refining, and retesting using both low and high-fidelity prototypes. Our efforts paid off within two weeks, resulting in a significant reduction in onboarding time.
Mobile App Evolution
As part of my responsibilities, I had the opportunity to redesign the iOS app. Our first step was to explore Curatio's brand identity. We developed mood boards to capture the essence of the brand, which helped us make informed decisions on typography, visuals, and icons.
Working closely with the development team, we identified the key UI components for the initial release while maintaining familiar mobile touchpoints. We also improved the 'circle of friends' feature, aligning it with iOS's design principles. This involved presenting users with an adaptive view highlighting their most interactive peers. By dedicating significant effort to the onboarding phase, we were able to streamline the design and layout phase, resulting in a smooth and efficient execution.
Final Findings
Redesigning for Impact
The comprehensive redesign of Curatio underscored the critical need for empathetic design, especially when addressing the needs of those with chronic conditions. Our ethnographic research revealed the diverse environments and requirements of our users, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and personalized experiences.
Through an iterative approach of testing and refinement, we not only improved the onboarding process but also uncovered the essence of a user-centric application, ensuring the platform's design and functionality resonated with its user base. Collaboration with esteemed health organizations highlighted the necessity of seamlessly integrating their resources, keeping them visible and relevant to users.
In summary, the Curatio project demonstrated the power of empathy, collaboration, and iterative design in developing a unified platform that catered to diverse needs while maintaining its core mission.