PROBLEM
Factors contributing to health disparities
Some factors that explain this inequality originates from unequal access to health care, inability to quarantine due to jobs, pre-existing health conditions, insufficient knowledge about Covid-19, unequal access to healthcare, and not being able to social distance due to living conditions.
TIMELINE
End-to-end Process
RESEARCH
Target Users
Goal 1:
Translate and adapt reliable health facts of COVID-19 to practical information that can be utilized (How to reduce the spread of covid, self diagnose through questionnaires and consultation with different community organizations).
Goal 2:
Deliver information in accessible formats by partnering with community leaders and fulfill needs and preferences through fact sheets, hotlines and a mobile app to generate health info on COVID-19.
Categories:
1. Infection prevention measures
2. Indicators of disease
3. Community Resources
70+ Community Based Organizations will participate and reach potentially 300,000 community residents in New York City.
SCOPING
Core Values:
1. Authenticity and Integrity of Information
2. Simplicity & User-friendly design
3. End-user obsession
Our end goals for our app was to produce a product for users to access authentic COVID-19 information and experience a simple, user-friendly design for those who may not have the vocabulary of navigating an application. Even after releasing the product to the public, we wanted to ensure an end-user obsession by constantly taking in feedback and responding with changes and improvement.
TEAM TIMELINE
Steps for our team
Since our team included UX Designers like myself as well as Software Developers, we set up a timeline for what we need to accomplish. After conducting our research and identifying target users, it was essential for us to communicate with CBOs and receive feedback.
Even through the development phase of the app, it was critical for me to communicate consistently with the Software Developer to translate my designs and intentions into codes and a live app.
IDEATION
Mindmaps
Before deciding on set components of the app, I explored different possible categories that will be necessary for the community while continuing to communicate with Community Based Organizations in NYC.
Because every person using this app may need different resources specific to their needs, it was critical to include a wide range of information.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Styleguide
The styleguide embodied the colors of the Mount Sinai logo and a simple, sans-serif font with ranging weights.
FINAL PROTOTYPES
Screening & Past Results
The screening tool takes users through a simple and easy self-diagnosis. At the end of the screening, there are three steps and additional resources that are recommended by Mount Sinai Hospital. Because the data is backed up by research from Mount Sinai, users receive reliable and practical health diagnosis from a valid source.
Users are also able to access past screenings easily through the homepage to see past diagnosis.
Covid-19 News
The news category allow users to access the most up-to-date Covid-19 news in one place. It includes a Daily Briefing for the day as well as filtered, categorized news that direct users to the source. Because the news can be overwhelming and unfiltered, this tab allow users to just access news related to Covid-19 and also includes a concise daily briefing of what is important to note for the day.
This is particularly helpful for people who do not have time to browse through the news everyday due to work or living circumstances, so it saves time and energy.
Help Center, Statistics and Testing
Housing
Housing organizes legal rights in a simplified manner and has customized location services for the user. Free counseling and other hotlines are included if users need immediate assistance.
Work
Work focuses on employment for people who are unemployed, seeking for jobs or those interested in taking a sick and paid leave. Hotlines and information are provided for additional assistance.
Food
Food Bank provides resources to find any food available near the NYC area including both delivery and take-out.
By partnering with 75+ Community-Based Organizations including Food Banks, we were able to provide resources, like access to food, exclusive to this app.
Info
Like the rest of the resources, Info divides into different tabs that users can navigate to find what they need or want to know more about. Info includes factsheets that are updated when needed.
Onboarding
The onboarding screens introduce the main features of the app and users are able to create an account with a simple number verification. When users enter the home screen or dashboard, they are able to choose what resources they need, which include Screening, Stats, General Info, Testing, Food, Work and Housing.
The custom name input allows a more personalized experience and allow the users to feel like the app is more catered towards their needs.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Takeaways + Reflections
When working with a larger team with different organizations, communication 💬 throughout every step of the process is important. UX Designers should have the ability to translate their vision into comprehensible explanations and be open to making any changes necessary.
Don’t be attached to assumptions. Even though I thought I was approaching the problem and solution objectively, I had underlying beliefs about what was better for the users, which were sometimes proven not to be true. Keeping an open mind and backing up my conclusions with research and interviews were vital in creating a product that will be best for the end users. ☺️
Be meticulous but think big. Sometimes being a perfectionist is okay but remember to focus on not only the details, but also the bigger picture. 🌎 I learned to not get overly caught up on one part of the process, but to think about the connection between the steps and overall user flow and experience and how they address user pain points.
