Find a memory, share a memory, keep a memory - Designing for healthier communities
Memory Box is an app that helps connect people and bring people closer, it is a platform that encourages people to share stories.
Project Type: Student Project
Project Duration: 12 weeks
My Role: UI/UXDesigner
How do other people see it
Besides doing online research and field research, I want to see how other designers approach community health. One interesting idea I found was a Hand Hygiene Project. This collaboration aimed to stimulate a behavior change in the usage of hand sanitizer dispensers and embed them as an integral part of daily life in the hospital. Using human-centered participatory methodologies, design research for this project involved co-creation workshops with healthcare personnel which fostered an empathic design solution.
What does it mean to design for a healthier community
Designing for a cause
Community health is a major field of study within the medical and clinical sciences that focuses on the maintenance, protection, and improvement of the health status of population groups and communities. Healthy community design is planning and designing communities that make it easier for people to live healthy lives. …Provides opportunities for people to be physically active and socially engaged as part of their daily routine. Improving the physical and mental health of its citizens.
Mental health is one of the most talked about topics among people in today’s society, with more internet access people can more easily find a connection, but deep down people might find themselves feeling more and more isolated. I took the approach in designing for people to feel more included.
Designing for real life
Life is biased, imperfect, life is terrible sometimes. How much design can affect people’s life. From the design of an interface, we can affect how people use technology, how people think, how people feel, and whether they feel they belong. And that defines what is normal and what is acceptable.
We can’t always predict who will use our products, or what emotional state they’ll be in when they do. But we have the power—and the responsibility—to build compassion into every aspect of our product and to advocate for experiences that support more of our users, more of the time.
Delight 2016: Sara Wachter Boettcher — Design for Real Life
Sarah and her journey
Sarah is in her fourth year of University and she is about to graduate and move to Toronto. She is a sentimental person, and she wants to find a way to ease her fear of moving to another city. She cherishes her friendship and she holds the memories they spent together dearly. Sarah found this app that allows her to record the memories she had in Vancouver by location, so she won’t feel so lonely when she moves to a new city.
Design Process
Low fidelity sketches
I sketched a few key screens I had in mind on the paper. And mapping out the rough user experience.
Use testings
Through user testings, I found that users do find it rewarding to share a story. This shifted my project to focus on the sharing experience.
Final Design and feature highlights
Takeaways
Throughout the process, I recognized the necessity of designing with diversity in mind, ensuring that the app accommodates a wide range of users, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or preferences. Moreover, the project provided a deep understanding of the significance of user research and feedback in achieving inclusivity. This user-centric approach not only informed design decisions but also fostered a more empathetic and comprehensive understanding of the end-users.
In addition to the focus on inclusive design, a pivotal takeaway from the app development project lies in the commitment to fostering a healthier community. Recognizing the profound impact of technology on community well-being, the project underscored the importance of designing features that promote positive behaviors, mental health, and overall community engagement. By incorporating elements that encourage healthy interactions and facilitate connections among users, the project aimed to contribute to the creation of a digital environment that aligns with the well-being and shared values of the community. This dual emphasis on inclusivity and community health not only broadened my understanding of design responsibilities but also reinforced the idea that technology has the potential to shape communities positively, fostering a sense of belonging and support for all users.