Enabling diabetic people manage their health through a behavior change.
#DomainResearch
#FeatureIdeation
#InterfaceDesign
Overview
12
Weeks
Domain Research

User Interviews

Feature Ideation

Interface Design

Product testing
Figma
Miro
Sketching
Main Goal
The main goal of the App is to help people with diabetes manage glucose levels and overall health by indulging healthy lifestyle changes.
Background
Diabetes, affecting over half a billion adults globally, presents a critical health challenge exacerbated by a two-fold increase since 1980. The complex daily management of this chronic condition, coupled with a lack of accessible self-management solutions, underscores an urgent need for innovation.
Objective
Research, analyze, strategize, and design an App for diabetic patients that is effective and user-friendly.
Challenge
How might we empower individuals with diabetes to consistently manage their glucose levels and over all health condition for a sustainable improvement?
Glimpse of the final solution!
Having accountable workout partners
Accountable workout partners that boost motivation, ensuring consistency and mutual support for a healthier lifestyle.
Precision through calorie tracking
Systematically monitor nutrition, and regulate sugar levels with a personalized tool for healthier eating practices.
Educational expedition for wellbeing
Raise awareness with guides, videos, and articles for empowering diabetes management.
How I got to the solution...
Exploration & findings
Reflection to ideate
Designing
Testing for refinement
Learnings & takeaway
Understanding what diabetes is...
7th
Leading cause of death
4.2Mn
Deaths in 2019
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body either cannot produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Management of diabetes typically involves lifestyle changes (such as a healthy diet and regular exercise) and, in some cases, medications like insulin or oral medications.
463 million adults (20-79 years) were living with diabetes globally.


90% of all diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes


Diabetes cases could rise to 700 million by 2045 if current trends continue.
What people with diabetes shared about their condition...
"It is difficult to stay motivated and follow a routine consistently."
"I sometimes don't understand what to eat or what measures to take."
“it’s difficult to keep track of glucose levels”
“ I wish I had managed diabetes at early stages”
Other existing devices and digital apps contributing to diabetes management...
1
DEXCOM is a well-known medical technology company that specializes in development and manufacturing of Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices.
2
Phone apps integrate with CGM devices to track blood glucose levels in real-time.
3
Some apps have a feature to manually track and feed blood glucose levels.
Challenges...
1
Lack of workout motivation
Diabetic patients find it challenging to stay consistent with the workout and fitness goals.
2
Meal planning challenges
Designing balanced meals that align with blood sugar goals can be complicated. Lack of tools for carbohydrate counting can add to this difficulty.
3
Lack of support & education
Users may require ongoing education and support. Lack of clear and accessible guidance can hinder users' ability to effectively manage their condition.
4
Multiple devices & Apps
Diabetics may need to use multiple devices for tracking glucose, meal planning, and exercise. Navigating and integrating these different tools can be overwhelming.
Streamlining to the core area of focus...
Focus domain
&
Food
Exercise
Brainstorming different ideas helped in coming up with best possible solutions and narrowing down further based on the user requirements and goal of the project.
Other potential aspects
Medication
Medical Records
Doctor Appointment
Glucose Tracking
CHALLENGE 1
Lack of workout motivation
Lack of motivation to workout and maintain health is one of the biggest setbacks for diabetic patients.
Learnings, evidence, and direction
Desk Study
Limited Awareness: Research suggests that many diabetes patients lack awareness about the importance of regular exercise in managing their condition, leading to reduced motivation.



Lack of support: Insufficient social support, from both healthcare professionals and peers, is a key factor diminishing the motivation of diabetes patients to engage in regular physical activity.
Interview insights
"Keeping up with workouts and managing sugar levels is tough it's like a daily uphill battle with fatigue and ups and downs in sugar levels."
Feature
Accountable workout partners
Joining the workout challenge
Join existing group
Become a part of daily challenges
Workout with accountable partners
Creating a new group
Get on the challenge of the day
Track progress
CHALLENGE 2
Meal planning challenges
Effective meal planning for individuals with diabetes involves challenges, requiring careful consideration of carbohydrate content, portion control, and impact of diverse lifestyle factors.
Learnings, evidence, and direction
Desk Study
Impact on Weight Management: Ineffective meal planning may contribute to overeating or under eating, affecting weight management and potentially exacerbating insulin resistance.


Precision Nutrition: Food portion and calorie tracking provide heightened awareness, improved portion control, and personalized insights, fostering a mindful approach to support health goals.
Interview insights
"Trying to count calories and stick to a healthy diet with diabetes is like walking a tightrope. Every food choice feels important for my health."
Feature
Calorie tracking using hand-size portions
Tracking the calorie intake
hand size portion instruction
Enter no. of servings (each macros)
App tracks calorie intake
Learn from the instructions how to measure using hand-size portions
Count calories and track food intake
CHALLENGE 3
Lack of support & education
The lack of support and education about diabetes presents a significant challenge for individuals, making it difficult for them to manage the complexities of the condition effectively.
Learnings, evidence, and direction
Desk Study
Ineffective Lifestyle Modifications: Limited awareness hinders the adoption of necessary lifestyle changes, impacting diet, exercise, and overall well-being.
Psychological Impact: Unawareness of the psychological aspects of diabetes can contribute to heightened stress, anxiety, and depression, affecting overall mental health.
Interview insights
"Without the right education on diabetes, it's tough, confusing, and every step feels uncertain in managing my health."
Feature
Educational resources for knowledge & awareness
Educational resources
Explore & read articles
Educational exploration
Learn from videos
Link to interactive prototype Here
My learnings & takeaways from this project...
Comprehensive problem solving
Acknowledged that tackling a single aspect doesn't solve the core issue; stressed the need to understand systemic behavior for fundamental improvements in user quality.
In-depth user understanding
Recognized the need for extensive research to understand user needs in an unfamiliar domain, emphasizing empathy through insights into competitor shortcomings and user lifestyles.
Awareness of diabetes challenges
Gained insight into the complexities of diabetes management, realizing the importance of empathy for users in shaping product design at a more profound level.
Testing & iteration
Identified the pivotal role of testing and iteration throughout the design process, recognizing that it provides a dynamic and improved trajectory at every stage of development.
Future scope & next steps
Integrating with watch interface
Dark mode for enhanced visual comfort
Dedicated discussion forum