Glucose Guide
Reflection
Diabetes is a complex condition. The longer I worked on the app, the more I appreciated it. There are several things that could be added to the app to service the users even better. With more time, future adaptations would fill in the gaps.
While talking to a mom of a child with type one diabetes, she informed me an insulin calculator would be helpful. I hadn’t thought of the diabetics that were dependent on insulin needing that. It would be a helpful tool to limit human error. I would like to have interviewed many types of people earlier in the process, caregivers and parents, to help design the app for them as well.
Another change I would implement would be to create a version with larger text. I followed the native guidelines for iOS and Material respectively. Some diabetics have vision impairment and a larger version would be helpful.
From a branding perspective, I would poll diabetics for logos and brand names. Some might be intimidated by a logo that represents taking your blood sugar as it involves needles. Glucose may also be too scientific of a word.
Design & Refine
After considering the user flows, I draft wireframes of those screens. I designed each set of screens with native guidelines in mind (iOS and Material). This included gestures, screen elements and layouts. Each style guide is similar but converted to the other platform's guidelines.
Define
Based on research, I consider user wants and needs to determine necessary functions. I create user personas to keep the users in mind as I am designing. From these personas, I go on to draft user flows, the sequence of screens the app will utilize to complete a function.
Discovery
To create the best product, it is important to first research the field. I combine research of the audience as well as the topic (diabetes and health care) to best serve the audience. I also conduct a competitive analysis of similar products in the field. I read reviews and complaints about these apps and speak to users about what they like and dislike from their current apps.
Challenge
About 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes. Many diabetic patients could use a tool to help them keep up with blood sugar logs, along with other factors of their health. There are some great apps out there, but they can cost $60 a month! Considering the other cost of healthcare, this is just not reasonable.
Solution
Necessary functions will include: tracking blood sugar, other vitals and daily habits, and monitoring medications and appointments. Utilize more whitespace in charts. Make the graphs less detailed and easier to understand with labels, as well as explanations. Utilize icons to reduce words on screens. Use simple and colorful layout to make screens seem less intimidating.
Overview
Glucose Guide is an app for diabetics and pre-diabetics to track their health, specifically related to diabetes. The app keeps track of blood sugar and other vitals, medications, appointments and more. As part of my assignment, two versions of the app will be created, each following the native guidelines for iOS and Material respectively. The apps were built on Adobe Xd.
I chose to create a healthcare app because of my healthcare background. I see many patients who don't fully understand their condition. I think that apps and patient portals have a very real possibility of improving health outcomes through education and convenience.
Discovery
Research
Competitive Analysis
Define
User Personas
User Flows
Design & Refine
Low-fidelity frames
Mid-fidelity frames
High-fidelity frames
Haptics & Gestures
A/B Testing
User Testing
Visual Guidelines
Design Process
A/B Testing & User Testing
To ensure usability is the highest it can be, I test wireframes at multiple stages in the process. I also conduct AB testing on graphics, icons and certain screen elements. I consider this testing both the macro and micro interactions of users. The layouts should provide an intuitive process, but the small elements also contribute to the overall usability. As issues reveal themselves, I update the designs.
Final Screens
After several rounds of testing and updating designs, I finalized the first iteration of Glucose Guide iOS and Material screens.