/ Wearable Design / Producthon / Mobile App
/ Wearable Design / Producthon / Mobile App
/ Wearable Design / Producthon / Mobile App
Personalized IBS Management:
IBScribe Product Design
Personalized IBS Management:
IBScribe Product Design
A wearable app helps IBS patients easily track and
manage symptoms for better daily control.
A wearable app helps IBS patients easily track and
manage symptoms for better daily control
A wearable app helps IBS patients easily track and
manage symptoms for better daily control
A wearable app helps IBS patients easily track and manage symptoms for better daily control.
Timeline
Timeline
24 Hours
4-week iteration
24 Hours | 4-week iteration
Type
Type
2-day Producthon
Wearable Design
2-day Producthon | Wearable Design
Role
Role
Market Research
Feature Scoping
Product Design
Prototyping
Market Research | Feature Scoping |
Product Design | Prototyping
Group
Group
2 UX Designers
2 UX Designers
Overview
Overview
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent and multifaceted digestive disorder, affecting an estimated 25 to 45 million people in the US as of 2024. Its unpredictable nature often leaves patients struggling to find effective management solutions.
As an IBS patient myself, I've experienced firsthand the sense of powerlessness it can create. Driven by this struggle, I conceptualized IBScribe, a solution designed to empower IBS patients in taking control of their digestive health.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent and multifaceted digestive disorder, affecting an estimated 25 to 45 million Americans as of 2024. Its unpredictable nature often leaves patients struggling to find effective management solutions.
As an IBS patient myself, I've experienced firsthand the sense of powerlessness it can create. Driven by this struggle, I conceptualized IBScribe, a solution designed to empower IBS patients in taking control of their digestive health.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent and multifaceted digestive disorder, affecting an estimated 25 to 45 million Americans as of 2024. Its unpredictable nature often leaves patients struggling to find effective management solutions.
As an IBS patient myself, I've experienced firsthand the sense of powerlessness it can create. Driven by this struggle, I conceptualized IBScribe, a solution designed to empower IBS patients in taking control of their digestive health.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent and multifaceted digestive disorder, affecting an estimated 25 to 45 million people in the US as of 2024. Its unpredictable nature often leaves patients struggling to find effective management solutions.
As an IBS patient myself, I've experienced firsthand the sense of powerlessness it can create. Driven by this struggle, I conceptualized IBScribe, a solution designed to empower IBS patients in taking control of their digestive health.
Key Features
Key Features
Effortlessly log your symptoms with quick taps
Effortlessly log your symptoms with quick taps
Access the tracking feature from any main interfaces quickly
Quick log your symptom with just three taps
Access the tracking feature from any main interfaces quickly
Quick log your symptom with just three taps
Get a comprehensive symptom overview at a glance
Get a comprehensive symptom overview at a glance
View a clear timeline of symptom occurrences by week or month
Easily manage symptoms and add necessary details as needed
View a clear timeline of symptom occurrences by week or month
Easily manage symptoms and add necessary details as needed
Unlock a deeper insights of your IBS patterns
Unlock a deeper insights of your IBS patterns
Receive synthesized symptom analytics daily and weekly
Gain access to detailed data tailored to your needs
Receive synthesized symptom analytics daily and weekly
Gain access to detailed data tailored to your needs
Seamless integration of wearable devices
Seamless integration of wearable devices
Easily track symptoms even when your phone is not at hand
Timely updates between phone and smartwatch ensure consistency in your tracking
Easily track symptoms even when your phone is not at hand
Timely updates between phone and smartwatch ensure consistency in your tracking
Context
Context
Both patients and healthcare providers seek an effective solution for managing IBS symptoms.
Both patients and healthcare providers seek an effective solution for managing IBS symptoms.
Both patients and healthcare providers seek an effective solution for managing IBS symptoms.
To guide the direction of IBScribe, I identified three key characteristics of IBS and how they lead to common challenges for patients and doctors in the treatment process.
To guide the direction of IBScribe, I identified three key characteristics of IBS and how they lead to common challenges for patients and doctors in the treatment process.
Unpredictability
Unpredictability
IBS symptoms are unpredictable with alternating issues like bloating, diarrhea, and pain
IBS symptoms are unpredictable with alternating issues like bloating, diarrhea, and pain
Complexity
Complexity
IBS treatment is complex with psychological, digestive, and physical approaches
IBS treatment is complex with psychological, digestive, and physical approaches
Chronicity
Chronicity
Over 50% of IBS patients experience the symptoms for more than 10 years
Over 50% of IBS patients experienced the symptoms for more than 10 years
Over 50% of IBS patients experience the symptoms for more than 10 years
Patient’s Challenge:
Patient’s Challenge:
Hard to track symptoms and make necessary adjustments in daily life
Hard to track symptoms and make necessary adjustments in daily life
Healthcare Provider’s Challenge:
Healthcare Provider’s Challenge:
Hard to provide patients with targeted medical treatment for varied symptoms
Hard to provide patients with targeted medical treatment for varied symptoms
Research
Research
I conducted desk research as a time-efficient approach to learn about patients' real-life experiences to better scope the feature.
I conducted desk research as a time-efficient approach to learn about patients' real-life experiences to better scope the feature.
I conducted desk research as a time-efficient approach to learn about patients' real-life experiences to better scope the feature.
"Whenever I have an IBS flare-up during class, I always find it’s hard to track it right away. By the time I leave, I've already forgotten the details. It’s so frustrating because my symptom records are always incomplete."
"Whenever I have an IBS flare-up during class, I always find it’s hard to track it right away. By the time I leave, I've already forgotten the details. It’s so frustrating because my symptom records are always incomplete."
Jessica (21), College Student with IBS
Jessica (21), College Student with IBS
"My IBS symptoms have been severe lately, and tracking them seems impossible. When I meet my doctor, I always struggle to recall the details, which makes it harder to get the right treatment."
"My IBS symptoms have been severe lately, and tracking them seems impossible. When I meet my doctor, I always struggle to recall the details, which makes it harder to get the right treatment."
Sarah (37), Long-term IBS Patient
Sarah (37), Long-term IBS Patient
After my IBS diagnosis, figuring out what to eat has been challenging. I always search online for FODMAP advice, but it’s overwhelming because levels vary by portion size.
After my IBS diagnosis, figuring out what to eat has been challenging. I always search online for FODMAP advice, but it’s overwhelming because levels vary by portion size.
After my IBS diagnosis, figuring out what to eat has been challenging. I always search online for FODMAP advice, but it’s overwhelming because levels vary by portion size.
Mark (28), Newly Diagnosed IBS Patient
Mark (28), Newly Diagnosed IBS Patient
Competitive Audit
Competitive Audit
Current IBS solutions mainly focus on psychological and dietary treatments but fall short in effective symptom tracking.
Current IBS solutions mainly focus on psychological and dietary treatments but fall short in effective symptom tracking.
Current IBS solutions mainly focus on psychological and dietary treatments but fall short in effective symptom tracking.
To discover opportunities for IBScribe, I audited three leading IBS-related solutions for relevant insights and found there is a gap in the current market.
To discover opportunities for IBScribe, I audited three leading IBS-related solutions for relevant insights and found there is a gap in the current market.
Nerva - IBS Hypnotherapy
Nerva - IBS Hypnotherapy
Only focuses on psychological approach to IBS relief through gut-directed hypnotherapy, helping patients manage symptoms by addressing their gut-brain connection.
Only focuses on psychological approach to IBS relief through gut-directed hypnotherapy, helping patients manage symptoms by addressing their gut-brain connection.
Mahana IBS - IBS Treatment
Mahana IBS - IBS Treatment
Only focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce IBS symptom severity through changing patient's thought patterns and behaviors associated with IBS.
Only focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce IBS symptom severity through changing patient's thought patterns and behaviors associated with IBS.
Cara Care - IBS and FODMAP Tracker
Cara Care - IBS and FODMAP Tracker
Primarily focuses on dietary solutions to help patients identify symptom triggers by tracking their food intake and offering insights into which foods may be causing flare-ups.
Primarily focuses on dietary solutions to help patients identify symptom triggers by tracking their food intake and offering insights into which foods may be causing flare-ups.
How Might We
How Might We
Design a product that helps IBS patients seamlessly
manage symptoms with minimal effort in daily life?
Design a product that helps IBS patients seamlessly manage symptoms with
minimal effort in daily life?
Feature Ideation
Feature Ideation
Before diving into design, I aligned the key features with patient pain points and needs to ensure a seamless user experiences.
Before diving into design, I aligned the key features with patient pain points and needs to ensure a seamless user experiences.
Before diving into design, I aligned the key features with patient pain points and needs to ensure a seamless user experiences.
Pain Points
HMW
Inconsistent Symptom Tracking
Inconsistent Symptom Tracking
Prioritize time-based symptom tracking to enable immediate logging when symptoms occur
Prioritize time-based symptom tracking to enable immediate logging when symptoms occur
Lack of Control Over Symptoms
Lack of Control Over Symptoms
Present analytics in a clear and accessible format to help patients discover effective treatment easily
Avoiding Dietary Triggers
Avoiding Dietary Triggers
Instead of just tracking diet, aggregate FODMAP info by portion size to help patients avoid triggers from initial.
Instead of just tracking diet, aggregate FODMAP info by portion size to help patients avoid triggers from initial
Iteration #1
Iteration #1
In the initial design, I prioritized the feature of symptom tracking for both mobile and smartwatch platforms.
In the initial design, I prioritized the feature of symptom tracking for both mobile and smartwatch platforms.
In the initial design, I prioritized the feature of symptom tracking for both mobile and smartwatch platforms.
Quick Overview of Tracked Symptoms and Dates
Quick Overview of Tracked Symptoms and Dates
Upon opening the app, users are presented with a calendar view that provides an immediate overview of the dates and corresponding times when symptoms were tracked.
Upon opening the app, users are presented with a calendar view that provides an immediate overview of the dates and corresponding times when symptoms were tracked.
Track Symptom with Two Taps
Track Symptom with Two Taps
By clicking on
By clicking on
users can instantly record flare-ups by selecting
users can instantly record flare-
the symptom they’re experiencing with just two taps.
ups by selecting the symptom they’re experiencing
with just two taps.
To enhance the clarity, I implemented a color-coded system to differentiate between symptoms.
To enhance the clarity, I implemented a color-coded system to differentiate between symptoms.
Navigate Between Months and Years
Navigate Between Months and Years
By clicking on
By clicking on
users can change the calendar view easily and
users can change the calendar view
access symptom tracking across different time periods, ensuring seamless navigation through health history.
access symptom tracking across different time periods, ensuring
easily and access symptom tracking across different time periods, ensuring seamless navigation through health history.
Smartwatch Integration for Discreet Tracking
Smartwatch Integration for Discreet Tracking
Recognizing that patients may face situations where accessing their phone is difficult, such as in class or during other activities, I also developed a smartwatch version of IBScribe. This enables users to discreetly log symptoms from their watch, enhancing accessibility and convenience.
Recognizing that patients may face situations where accessing their phone is difficult, such as in class or during other activities, I also developed a smartwatch version of IBScribe. This enables users to discreetly log symptoms from their watch, enhancing accessibility and convenience.
Iteration #2
Iteration #2
To test the usability of IBScribe, I conducted a guerrilla user testing with 5 IBS patients and discovered some overlooked issues.
To test the usability of IBScribe, I conducted a guerrilla user testing with 5 IBS patients and discovered some overlooked issues.
The current design of the symptom tracking bottom sheet overlooked two use cases.
User testing revealed the design of the symptom tracking bottom sheet overlooked two use cases.
The current design of the symptom tracking bottom sheet overlooked two use cases.
It's frustrating to navigate back to delete an accidentally logged symptom without a confirmation step.
It's frustrating to navigate back to delete an accidentally logged symptom without a confirmation step.
It's helpful enough for me to log the current symptoms, but I need a way to track past symptoms as well.
It's helpful enough for me to log the current symptoms, but I need a way to track past symptoms as well.
Based on the feedback, I made two changes to refine on the previous design:
Based on the feedback, I made two changes to refine on the previous design:
Based on the feedback, I made two changes to refine on the previous design:
1
1
1
“Track Symptom” Button
“Track Symptom” Button
In the previous design, users track symptoms with a single tap on the symptom, which risked accidental selections. To address this, I added a confirm button and highlighted symptoms for review before submission.
In the previous design, users track symptoms with a single tap on the symptom, which risked accidental selections. To address this, I added a confirm button and highlighted symptoms for review before submission.
2
2
2
Time Selector
Time Selector
2
I added a time selector at the top of the bottom sheet, allowing users to adjust the tracked time without disrupting the key experience of symptom selecting.
I added a time selector at the top of the bottom sheet, allowing users to adjust the tracked time without disrupting the key experience of symptom selecting.
Another user indicates the calendar view on the home screen could be improved.
Another user indicates the calendar view on the home screen could be improved.
Another user indicates the calendar view on the home screen could be improved.
I understand the monthly calendar provides a comprehensive overview, but is there a way to collapse it? The current calendar view can be kind of distracting.
I understand the monthly calendar provides a comprehensive overview, but is there a way to collapse it? The current calendar view can be kind of distracting.
To address the distracting calendar view, I made another design decision: by clicking on the displayed date (e.g., March 20), users can expand the weekly view into the monthly calendar, which allows for easy navigation to their desired date.
To address the distracting calendar view, I made another design decision: by clicking on the displayed date (e.g., March 20), users can expand the weekly view into the monthly calendar, which allows for easy navigation to their desired date.
Iteration #3
Iteration #3
A continued user testing highlighted the need to enable users to add more details of the symptom for comprehensive tracking.
A continued user testing highlighted the need to enable users to add more details of the symptom for comprehensive tracking.
Some users indicate that the necessary symptom details, such as intensity, duration, and special notes, could be useful for future treatment references.
Some users indicate that the necessary symptom details, such as intensity, duration, and special notes, could be useful for future treatment references.
Recognizing this opportunity, I recreated the symptom tracking user flow to guide the iteration.
Recognizing this opportunity, I recreated the symptom tracking user flow to guide the iteration.
Recognizing this opportunity, I recreated the symptom tracking user flow to guide the iteration.
In the new flow, I maintained symptom tracking as simple as possible by not asking for details during the tracking step, instead seamlessly integrating the symptom note feature for easy access.
In the new flow, I maintained symptom tracking as simple as possible by not asking for details during the tracking step, instead seamlessly integrating the symptom note feature for easy access.
I revamped the layout of tracked symptoms to better guide users in adding details.
I revamped the layout of tracked symptoms to better guide users in adding details.
By selecting a tracked symptom, users will access the symptom note screen to modify details.
By selecting a tracked symptom, users will access the symptom note screen to modify details.
Symptoms with associated notes will be visually distinguished by the
indicator icon.
Final Solution
Final Solution
A Powerful Integration of Smartwatch
A Powerful Integration of Smartwatch
I designed a smartwatch for real-time symptom management to assist IBS patients in various situations.
I integrated daily tracking and weekly analytics to smartwatch design for easy access to symptom patterns.
I designed a smartwatch for real-time symptom tracking to assist IBS patients in various situations.
I integrated daily tracking and weekly analytics to smartwatch design for easy access to patterns.
I designed a smartwatch for real-time symptom management to assist IBS patients in various situations.
I integrated daily tracking and weekly analytics to smartwatch design for easy access to symptom patterns.
I designed a smartwatch for real-time symptom management to assist IBS patients in various situations.
I integrated daily tracking and weekly analytics to smartwatch design for easy access to symptom patterns.
A Comprehensive yet Easy Symptom Management Method
A Comprehensive yet Easy Symptom Management Method
I streamlined symptom tracking into three taps, allowing users to add details as needed.
I offered multiple symptom overview options, including daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly views.
I streamlined symptom tracking into three taps, allowing users to add details as needed.
I offered multiple symptom overview options, including daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly views.
I streamlined symptom tracking into three taps, allowing users to add details as needed.
I offered multiple symptom overview options, including daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly views.
I streamlined symptom tracking into three taps, allowing users to add details as needed.
I offered multiple symptom overview options, including daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly views.
A Clear and Effective Symptom Analytics
A Clear and Effective Symptom Analytics
I provided users with weekly and daily views to track patterns and transitions effectively.
I visualized symptom analytics into accessible charts for easy symptom navigation.
I provided users with weekly and daily views to track patterns and transitions effectively.
I visualized symptom analytics into accessible charts for easy symptom navigation.
I provided users with weekly and daily views to track patterns and transitions effectively.
I visualized symptom analytics into accessible charts for easy symptom navigation.
I provided users with weekly and daily views to track patterns and transitions effectively.
I visualized symptom analytics into accessible charts for easy symptom navigation.
A Smart and Accessible Dietary Solution
A Smart and Accessible Dietary Solution
A Smart and Accessible Dietary Solution
I simplified FODMAP information into clear visualizations for quick user understanding.
I integrated food scanning functionality and suggested similar items for faster searches.
I simplified FODMAP information into clear visualizations for quick user understanding.
I integrated food scanning functionality and suggested similar items for faster searches.
I simplified FODMAP information into clear visualizations for quick user understanding.
I integrated food scanning functionality and suggested similar items for faster searches.
I simplified FODMAP information into clear visualizations for quick user understanding.
I integrated food scanning functionality and suggested similar items for faster searches.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Minimize unnecessary manual effort to encourage optimal behavior
Minimize unnecessary manual effort to encourage optimal behavior
Minimize unnecessary manual effort to encourage optimal behavior
Minimize unnecessary manual effort to encourage optimal behavior
While ideating the tracking feature, I recognized the importance of simplifying the design to enable consistent tracking. By minimizing unnecessary friction and obstacles, IBScribe promotes better engagement with health management and supports long-term adherence.
While ideating the tracking feature, I recognized the importance of simplifying the design to enable consistent tracking. By minimizing unnecessary friction and obstacles, IBScribe promotes better engagement with health management and supports long-term adherence.
While ideating the tracking feature, I recognized the importance of simplifying the design to enable consistent tracking. By minimizing unnecessary friction and obstacles, IBScribe promotes better engagement with health management and supports long-term adherence.
Immerse yourself in the patients' daily experiences to uncover real pain points
Immerse yourself in the patients' daily experiences to uncover real pain points
Immerse yourself in the patients' daily experiences to uncover real pain points
Immerse yourself in the patients' daily experiences to uncover real pain points
While uncovering the real-life frustrations of IBS patients, I focused on how they manage symptoms in specific situations like during class or at work. The difficulty of maintaining symptom tracking in these situations became a clear pain point, directly shaping my decisions when designing the core feature.
While uncovering the real-life frustrations of IBS patients, I focused on how they manage symptoms in specific situations like during class or at work. The difficulty of maintaining symptom tracking in these situations became a clear pain point, directly shaping my decisions when designing the core feature.
✷
Glad you made it to the end :)
See more works!
✷
Glad you made it to the end :)
See more works!
✷
Glad you made it to the end :)
See more works!
✷
Glad you made it to the end :)