ROOT
Back To Projects
Designing a Digital application that fosters connection for senior citizens with their community at ease and enhances their social health and well-being.
Project Details
Date - 2023 August (6 Day Challenge)
Topic - Social Health, Deliverable - Digital / Web
Skills applied - Human Centred Design Research Data Collection - Interviewing, Data Synthesis, Prototyping, Service Design,Critical Thinking.
Team - Atchayaa Krishnan, Courtney Duong, Evelyn Syau, Prathi Selvapathi.
Institution - M.A in Design Focused on Health,The University of Texas at Austin
My Role
User Researcher & Experience Designer
- Recruitment
- Conducted user interview
- Data Synthesis & Insights
- Logo Designing
- Ideation
- App Concept building
- Obtaining Feedback
Main learnings
- Embrace Flexibility: Avoid fixating on a single idea; remain open to exploring various concepts and iterating rapidly.
- User Feedback is Key: Actively seek feedback from users throughout the design process. Implementing user suggestions can significantly enhance the final product.
- Prototype Effectively: Utilize low-fidelity prototypes as they are more conducive to obtaining valuable feedback during testing phases.
Project Challenge
Design Methods
1
Identify Target Population
2
Interviews
Day -1 Identify Target Population
Our design intervention targeted the largest audience in need.
Day-3 Synthesis : Empathy mapping
Day - 4 Ideation & Brainstorming
Brainstorming
Day - 5 Prototype & Iterate
.jpeg)
Prototyping
Day-6 Final Product
Overview
6-day Design project to enhance socialization in senior communities aged 65 and above through digital applications. Our objective was to create an app that helps seniors connect with others, especially those who lack confidence in technology and feel lonely.
The result of our efforts was Root, a user-friendly app that offers features like group engagement, health information access, reminders, and event notifications. By incorporating larger font sizes, a customizable AI companion, and simplified navigation, we aimed to provide a seamless experience for seniors, regardless of their physical abilities. Our goal is to ensure that everyone can reap the benefits of Root and stay connected with their loved ones.
"Research indicates that nearly 1 in 4 adults aged 65 and above are socially isolated and at an increased risk for medical comorbidities such as dementia, suicidality, and early death".
3
Synthesis
4
Ideation & Brainstorming
5
Prototype & Iterate
Day- 2 Interviews
“Apps have limitations where I have to go through many loops to make an appointment.”
“There are a lot of
features and it’s not
always intuitive.”
Some of the pain points shared by the interviewees.
Empathy mapping was the most suitable approach for our rapid synthesis for a short-term project.
Idea Prioritization
Building the App
Feedback
Lack of Social interaction can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression and distress, While technological advancements have made it easier for older adults to stay connected with friends and family, they often find it challenging to navigate the advanced features in apps, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed and burdened.
This difficulty in using advanced technology further exacerbates their sense of isolation and disconnection, leading to a vicious cycle of social withdrawal.
How might we help the elderly individuals improve their user experience in communication apps so they can feel less lonely?
Root is designed to help older adults rediscover the beauty of community connection by providing easy-to-use features for staying in touch with family and friends and, joining interest groups.
In addition to social features, Root is also a valuable tool for managing health information. It allows users to store important details about medications, allergies, medical conditions, and emergency contacts, all in one place. This feature is especially helpful for seniors who may have complex health needs or who are managing multiple medications.
For added peace of mind, Root also offers a customisable virtual companion. This AI-powered guide is always available to assist users with navigating any app-related hurdles and answering questions. Whether you need help setting up your profile, joining a group, or troubleshooting an issue, Help is there to assist you every step of the way.