University Project
Stardust
Enhancing medication adherence for individuals with ADHD
Status
Status
Status
Completed October 2024
Completed October 2024
Completed October 2024
Tools
Tools
Tools
Miro Canva Figma React Native Sketch Up
My Role
My Role
My Role
User Research UI/UX Design
Team
Team
Team
Grace Choo Angela Howard Liang Yuan Yuki Bui
Challenge
Hello
he app had a cluttered interface, making it difficult for users to navigate and find essential features. Users were facing issues with the onboarding process, which was affecting new user adoption rates. The app lacked personalization and customization options, making it less engaging and user-friendly.
Results
The redesigned app features a clean, clutter-free interface, making it easier for users to navigate and access essential features.The improved onboarding process resulted in a 35% increase in new user adoption rates.The addition of personalization and customization options enhanced user engagement, leading to a 25% increase in user retention rates.
Stardust
Discovery
User research, industry exploration, competitor analysis
Synthesis
Affinity diagrams, thematic analysis, problem definition
Ideation
Idea generation, low-medium prototyping, user testing
Development
Development, reflections and future directions
Discovery
Background and Literature Review
Initial Domain: People with chronic health conditions
Medication adherence, defined as “the extent to which a patient’s behaviour corresponds with the prescribed medication dosing regime, including time, dosing, and interval of medication intake” (Gast & Mathes, 2019). It remains a global challenge, with only 50% of patients adhering to their prescribed regimens (DeFulio & Silverman, 2012). Non-adherence leads to disease progression, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs.
The design team narrowed their focus to individuals with ADHD, as traditional solutions often lack context-diverse, location-diverse, real-time and collaborative support.
Problem Identification
How might we create a social and mobile solution that promotes collaboration, adapts to diverse contexts, and supports consistent medication adherence for ADHD individuals?
To answer this we continued background research and engaged closely with our target audience through a survey, interviews and observations.
Background Research
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with symptoms like difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, and restlessness. (ADHD Foundation, 2024)(National Institute of Mental Health, 2024) Effective design for ADHD must minimise distractions, simplify navigation, and use accessible colour schemes while reducing clutter. (Anthony, 2023)
ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants, which are effective in 70-80% of cases. (Rostain, 2024) Medication adherence can be difficult due to side effects, forgetfulness, or the need for individualised dosing. (Rostain, 2024) To boost adherence, strategies like setting reminders, integrating medication into routines, and close monitoring with healthcare providers are key. (Rostain, 2024)(ADHD Australia, 2019) (ADHD Foundation, 2024)
Survey and Interviews
Key themes and values within our target audience were identified using an affinity diagram and include assistance with forgetfulness, effective reminders, storage, prescription management, healthcare information, routine integration, support system involvement, privacy and symptom tracking.
To gain insight into existing gaps in the travel planning app market, we conducted a competitor analysis of five popular travel apps—Google Maps, MakeMyTrip, TripAdvisor, Instagram, and Airbnb. By examining their features, user interface, and functionality, we identified several limitations impacting user satisfaction and the effectiveness of these platforms. These findings illuminate opportunities for improvement, outlined below.
Feature Limitations: Lack of Budgeting Tools
Many travel apps lack budgeting tools and personalisation, both crucial for enhancing user satisfaction. 71% of survey participants reported spending more than intended when travelling, highlighting the need for budgeting features. Despite this, competitors do not offer a comprehensive booking service for all aspects of the trip leading to fragmented costs and difficulties with budgeting. One participant voiced this challenge: “There’s no simple way to get an idea of what I’ll spend before I book. I end up going over my budget every time.” These findings underscore the need for customisable, budget-friendly tools.
User Interface Limitations: Overly Complex and Unintuitive Design
Many travel apps overwhelm users with cluttered screens and minimal white space, leading to decision fatigue. One participant shared, “There is way too much information on every screen, and it makes me feel very overwhelmed—I do not know where to start.” Additionally, apps often have unintuitive navigation, making it difficult for users to complete tasks. As one user noted: “It’s so hard to find what I need. It feels like I’m just going in circles.” A simpler, more intuitive interface is essential to reduce user frustration.
Functional Limitations: Frequent Errors and Insufficient Guidance
Frequent technical issues, such as payment processing errors, and limited guidance also reduce app reliability. Users expressed frustration, with one stating: “I have had issues with payment processing and occasional technical glitches during the booking process. There was minimal guidance on what to do next, which was very confusing.” Improving reliability and support within apps is key to building user trust and satisfaction.
Competitor Analysis
Discovery
Background and Literature Review
Initial Domain: People with chronic health conditions
Medication adherence, defined as “the extent to which a patient’s behaviour corresponds with the prescribed medication dosing regime, including time, dosing, and interval of medication intake” (Gast & Mathes, 2019). It remains a global challenge, with only 50% of patients adhering to their prescribed regimens (DeFulio & Silverman, 2012). Non-adherence leads to disease progression, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs.
The design team narrowed their focus to individuals with ADHD, as traditional solutions often lack context-diverse, location-diverse, real-time and collaborative support.
Problem Identification
How might we create a social and mobile solution that promotes collaboration, adapts to diverse contexts, and supports consistent medication adherence for ADHD individuals?
To answer this we continued background research and engaged closely with our target audience through a survey, interviews and observations.
Background Research
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with symptoms like difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, and restlessness. (ADHD Foundation, 2024)(National Institute of Mental Health, 2024) Effective design for ADHD must minimise distractions, simplify navigation, and use accessible colour schemes while reducing clutter. (Anthony, 2023)
ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants, which are effective in 70-80% of cases. (Rostain, 2024) Medication adherence can be difficult due to side effects, forgetfulness, or the need for individualised dosing. (Rostain, 2024) To boost adherence, strategies like setting reminders, integrating medication into routines, and close monitoring with healthcare providers are key. (Rostain, 2024)(ADHD Australia, 2019) (ADHD Foundation, 2024)
Survey, Interviews and Observations
Key themes and values within our target audience were identified using an affinity diagram and include assistance with forgetfulness, effective reminders, storage, prescription management, healthcare information, routine integration, support system involvement, privacy and symptom tracking.
Competitor Analysis
To gain insight into existing gaps in the travel planning app market, we conducted a competitor analysis of five popular travel apps—Google Maps, MakeMyTrip, TripAdvisor, Instagram, and Airbnb. By examining their features, user interface, and functionality, we identified several limitations impacting user satisfaction and the effectiveness of these platforms. These findings illuminate opportunities for improvement, outlined below.
Feature Limitations: Lack of Budgeting Tools
Many travel apps lack budgeting tools and personalisation, both crucial for enhancing user satisfaction. 71% of survey participants reported spending more than intended when travelling, highlighting the need for budgeting features. Despite this, competitors do not offer a comprehensive booking service for all aspects of the trip leading to fragmented costs and difficulties with budgeting. One participant voiced this challenge: “There’s no simple way to get an idea of what I’ll spend before I book. I end up going over my budget every time.” These findings underscore the need for customisable, budget-friendly tools.
User Interface Limitations: Overly Complex and Unintuitive Design
Many travel apps overwhelm users with cluttered screens and minimal white space, leading to decision fatigue. One participant shared, “There is way too much information on every screen, and it makes me feel very overwhelmed—I do not know where to start.” Additionally, apps often have unintuitive navigation, making it difficult for users to complete tasks. As one user noted: “It’s so hard to find what I need. It feels like I’m just going in circles.” A simpler, more intuitive interface is essential to reduce user frustration.
Functional Limitations: Frequent Errors and Insufficient Guidance
Frequent technical issues, such as payment processing errors, and limited guidance also reduce app reliability. Users expressed frustration, with one stating: “I have had issues with payment processing and occasional technical glitches during the booking process. There was minimal guidance on what to do next, which was very confusing.” Improving reliability and support within apps is key to building user trust and satisfaction.
Synthesis
Findings
User pain points and barriers
Key themes and values within our target audience were identified using an affinity diagram and include assistance with forgetfulness, effective reminders, storage, prescription management, healthcare information, routine integration, support system involvement, privacy and symptom tracking.
To determine the key requirements we created user stories which aligned with themes from research. We decided to combine a smart storage solution with a digital app. This aligned with themes and values outlined through user input, as shown below.
Key themes and values within our target audience were identified using an affinity diagram and include assistance with forgetfulness, effective reminders, storage, prescription management, healthcare information, routine integration, support system involvement, privacy and symptom tracking.
Ideation
Initial Ideation
The team then began to ideate potential solutions both in-class together and apart, coming up with a few options, demonstrated below.The subsequent discussions regarded feasibility, social and mobile aspects and how well the solutions solved user pain points. From this we agreed on an optimum design to build and test with our users.
Site Map
Design
Based on the user stories and the values of our target audience, we determined that the design would take the shape and form of a typical water bottle. It would have space for water and a customisable number of medication storage compartments. It would also be location-aware, to help track its whereabouts. A twist opening with integrated sensors would automatically track medication adherence. After group discussions and sketches, we developed a design that incorporated all of these features. Shirley created the model design for us to 3D print.
Features
Storage Compartment and Access - Users can alter the number of compartments for their medication depending on their regime and preferences. Users can retrieve their medication with a new system to pop the medication out instead of reaching inside.
Medication Adherence Logging - A sensor inside automatically detects and records if a user has taken their medicine.
Portable, adaptable to routine - Stardust combines an every-day water bottle with a medication storage solution. GPS tracker included for location awareness, preventing forgetfulness.
Design
Based on the user stories and the values of our target audience, we determined that the design would take the shape and form of a typical water bottle. It would have space for water and a customisable number of medication storage compartments. It would also be location-aware, to help track its whereabouts. A twist opening with integrated sensors would automatically track medication adherence. After group discussions and sketches, we developed a design that incorporated all of these features. Shirley created the model design for us to 3D print.
Features
Storage Compartment and Access - Users can alter the number of compartments for their medication depending on their regime and preferences. Users can retrieve their medication with a new system to pop the medication out instead of reaching inside.
Medication Adherence Logging - A sensor inside automatically detects and records if a user has taken their medicine.
Portable, adaptable to routine - Stardust combines an every-day water bottle with a medication storage solution. GPS tracker included for location awareness, preventing forgetfulness.
Connect to Content
Add layers or components to swipe between.
Low Fidelity
Medium to High Fidelity
Healthcare Information and Support - Users can view information about their medications. In addition, they can review their appointment schedule, check prescription details and view information from past consultations.
Medication Tracking - Users are reminded to take their medication via the app and can view their medication adherence. Users can easily track their own and others’ progress over time.
Social Collaboration - Social, collaborative features, allow trusted family, friends or caregivers to send reminders or support. Activity tracing allows users to check in asynchronously.
Development
Development was conducted collaboratively using GitHub and React Native.More about development
High Fidelity
Synthesis
Findings
User pain points and barriers
Key themes and values within our target audience were identified using an affinity diagram and include assistance with forgetfulness, effective reminders, storage, prescription management, healthcare information, routine integration, support system involvement, privacy and symptom tracking.
To determine the key requirements we created user stories which aligned with themes from research. We decided to combine a smart storage solution with a digital app. This aligned with themes and values outlined through user input, as shown below.
Key themes and values within our target audience were identified using an affinity diagram and include assistance with forgetfulness, effective reminders, storage, prescription management, healthcare information, routine integration, support system involvement, privacy and symptom tracking.
Ideation
Initial Ideation
The team then began to ideate potential solutions both in-class together and apart, coming up with a few options, demonstrated below.The subsequent discussions regarded feasibility, social and mobile aspects and how well the solutions solved user pain points. From this we agreed on an optimum design to build and test with our users.
Site Map
Design
Based on the user stories and the values of our target audience, we determined that the design would take the shape and form of a typical water bottle. It would have space for water and a customisable number of medication storage compartments. It would also be location-aware, to help track its whereabouts. A twist opening with integrated sensors would automatically track medication adherence. After group discussions and sketches, we developed a design that incorporated all of these features. Shirley created the model design for us to 3D print.
Features
Storage Compartment and Access - Users can alter the number of compartments for their medication depending on their regime and preferences. Users can retrieve their medication with a new system to pop the medication out instead of reaching inside.
Medication Adherence Logging - A sensor inside automatically detects and records if a user has taken their medicine.
Portable, adaptable to routine - Stardust combines an every-day water bottle with a medication storage solution. GPS tracker included for location awareness, preventing forgetfulness.
Low Fidelity
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Medium Fidelity
High Fidelity
Healthcare Information and Support - Users can view information about their medications. In addition, they can review their appointment schedule, check prescription details and view information from past consultations.
Medication Tracking - Users are reminded to take their medication via the app and can view their medication adherence. Users can easily track their own and others’ progress over time.
Social Collaboration - Social, collaborative features, allow trusted family, friends or caregivers to send reminders or support. Activity tracing allows users to check in asynchronously.
Development
Development was conducted collaboratively using GitHub and React Native.More about development