📍 Virtual Hackathon
USC and UCLA’s virtual hackathon, Hack for Hope, provided us with the opportunity to innovate solutions to address critical challenges created by COVID-19.
Product Designer, Project Manager
Jonathan Tang (Business), Eric Zhan (Developer), Joy Leeswadtrakul (Developer), Napat Kulruchakorn (Developer)
January 2020 - March 2020
Figma, Mural
Winning 3rd place out of 90 teams in this hackathon was a significant achievement, but what mattered most to me was the personal discovery and growth that came from this project. This was my very first design and hackathon experience, and it was through this project that I uncovered a deep passion for product design and strategy. I was captivated by the process of brainstorming, problem-solving, and bringing ideas to life through design thinking.
What truly resonated with me was the opportunity to understand users on a deeper level, test our assumptions, and continuously iterate to make the product better. Despite my limited resources and knowledge at the time, I poured my heart into refining our prototype, driven by a desire to create something meaningful. This project marked the beginning of my journey as a product designer.
With over 12 million seniors living alone in the U.S., the pandemic significantly heightened their vulnerability. Our research revealed that elders struggled with tasks like medication reminders and exercise, increasing their risk of health complications. These insights were pivotal in shaping our design approach.
When schools close, home-care workers have to stay with their children, leaving frail elders isolated in homes they cannot manage."
- NY Times Article
It would be nice to have someone to take care of me but it is expensive so not to worry. I do my best.
- Diana Fernandes, 79 (lives alone, husband died, managing painful foot injury and an asthmatic)
In response to the pandemic's challenges, we asked,
"What if we could use technology to help caregivers remotely care for elders, making them feel more connected?"
This question guided our ideation process, ultimately leading to the creation of Bridge—a tool designed to provide vital support to the elderly and relieve the burden on caregivers.
Due to the short time frame of the hackathon and the fact that everyone was in lockdown, getting a hold of our target users was challenging. For the user research, we decided to rely on recently-published news articles and the 3 in-depth user interviews I conducted via zoom. I was only able to reach adults who have an elder adult they care for, but are currently separated during this pandemic.
With full-time jobs and young children to take care of, it's hard for them to find time to check up on their parents, even though they are often worried about their wellbeing.
They want to provide a network of support for their parents (in case anything happens and they’re not available).
A lot of elders are afraid to call their children and inform them whenever they are not feeling well, as they do not want to bother them
49% of seniors in the US own smartphones, but many still don’t feel confident using them. There's currently a shortage of digital products designed for older adults.
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(ages 65+, Living alone)
About
• Lives at home alone or temporary separated from their families due to social distancing.
• Has trouble performing important daily tasks or routines, such as remembering to take their medication or getting regular exercises.
• Often tries to maintain a consistent routine and they also value some independence.
Pain Point
• Forgetting certain tasks and sometimes lacking the care they need from loved ones.
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(eg. family, friends, neighbors caring for the elderly)
About
• Informal caregiver for an elderly.
• Tries to visit the elder as frequently as possible, but social distancing has prevented them to do so.
Pain Point
• Busy schedules + COVID-19 has prevented them from frequent visits and constant check-ins.
• They often worry about the safety and health of their loved ones.
Creating a Frictionless User Experience
My goal was to make the app as intuitive as possible for elder users by mimicking real-life caregiving interactions in a digital format. By placing all critical functions on the homepage and avoiding hidden menus, I ensured that elders could navigate effortlessly, addressing their unique challenges with technology.
Prioritizing Readability and Simplicity - I chose sans-serif fonts, ensuring no font was smaller than 16px, with labeled icons and streamlined navigation, all tailored for an elderly audience to reduce confusion and enhance ease of use.
Color Strategy Rooted in Psychology- Selecting a calming blue as the primary color catered to the elder users’ preferences, while a light red (pink) added a sense of warmth and care, making the interface not only functional but also emotionally supportive.
Challenge with Elderly Usability: One of the significant hurdles in designing this product was ensuring its accessibility for older adults. Given the gradual decline in motor abilities and eyesight among the elderly, I recognized the need for an intuitive and accessible interface. However, I wasn’t certain if the initial font sizes and button designs were sufficient for this demographic.
Real-World Testing: To validate my design, I conducted an accessibility test with five older family members, aged 65 to 86. This hands-on testing provided invaluable insights into the actual user experience, highlighting specific areas for improvement.
1st Iteration Results: The test results revealed several issues:
- Thin-weighted fonts were difficult to read.
- Fonts were too small in certain areas.
- Gray-colored fonts lacked sufficient contrast against the background.
- Bright backgrounds were distracting on some screens.
- The contrast between white text on pink backgrounds was hard to read.
Rethinking the Color Strategy: Initially, I opted for a bright pink as the primary color, aiming for a vibrant and engaging design. However, real-world testing revealed that the color was too distracting for elderly users. According to color psychology, older adults gravitate toward calming colors like blue, which can help alleviate tension.
Adapting to User Needs: I used the 'Accessible Color Picker' tool to reassess the palette, ensuring that the revised colors would be usable by individuals with low vision. This strategic change not only enhanced accessibility but also aligned with the user’s emotional needs, improving the overall user experience.
Result: The revised color palette was more visually accessible and better suited to the target demographic, enhancing both usability and user satisfaction.
Contrast ratio = 2.06:1, did not pass any of the required ratios
Identifying Navigation Issues: During usability testing, I observed that my grandparents struggled significantly with navigating the app. There were multiple instances where they were unsure of how to proceed or where to click, which highlighted the importance of an intuitive navigation system, especially for older adults.
Key Insights for Improvement
Highlighting Crucial Information: Given that reading can be challenging for older users, it’s vital to emphasize the most important text and actions, ensuring they stand out clearly.
Enhancing User Confidence: To instill confidence in users about their location within the app, clearer headers and labels are essential. This adjustment will help guide them more effectively through their interactions.
Prioritizing Large CTAs: Large, easily recognizable Call-To-Actions (CTAs) are critical, as they provide clear direction on the next steps, minimizing confusion and enhancing the user experience.
Monitor the well-being of your loved ones from afar, ensuring safety despite the distance.
Support healthy habits with collaborative schedules tailored for isolated seniors.
Swiftly notify emergency contacts and services with just one tap.
Ensure immediate help is just a tap away by connecting with family and friends, even when separated by distance.
Viewing problems from different perspectives, particularly those of caregivers and elders, was invaluable in building empathy and creating meaningful solutions.
The integration of business and design thinking led to a more holistic approach to problem-solving.
Usability testing early in the process proved to be the fastest and most effective way to learn and iterate.
Effective collaboration with developers was crucial in efficiently overcoming challenges within the limited timeframe.
This hackathon was my first experience in both design and project lead, and it solidified my passion for UX design. Despite the stress of being the only designer on the team, I thrived in the process of brainstorming, user research, and iterating on our prototype. This project not only earned us a bronze prize and $2,500 in funding but also fueled my determination to continue working in this field and improve my skills further.