USE STORY TO CHALLENGE.
How can data change lives? We’re all familiar with the limitations of an activity tracker. At first, we get excited by all the data it shows. After a while the data isn’t meaningful anymore, or we don’t understand why it should be. Then we stop using the device altogether.
By embracing people’s stories,
we can make their data meaningful for them.
This was our aim. With their heritage in medical and consumer devices, Philips worked with doctors and the American Heart Association to develop a 24-week health program for their activity tracker. The aim is to prevent cardiovascular disease by addressing common issues. With daily goals, users would take small steps for big impact on their health.
I was brought in to help the Philips design team flesh out what this product experience would be and look like. Over the period of seven months, we designed brand new experiences which were prototyped and tested. We made an app experience that was engaging, delightful, and seriously helpful.
Client:
Philips
Project:
Heart Health Program App
Place:
Amsterdam and Eindhoven
Role:
Freelance Product Designer
UI and Visual Design, Motion Design, Assisted with IxD
Make the Data Tangible.
We used the following methods to engage people in making small steps towards better health.
Assessment
Upon starting the 24-week FDA-approved program, people are given a virtual assessment. Detailed personal health data is processed to form a customized program.
Perspective
“What does 10,000 steps actually mean? What natural way I achieve this?” Inform people of why they are doing this. Make it tangible.
Gamification
Make clear targets for each stage of the program. Instead of leading with numbers, make it glanceable and fun.
Approachable
Remove the excessive. Show only what is needed — that’s the focus. Make it quick enough that patients can leave their device to go out and be physically active.
PROCESS: Design Language System
All the while, I was also working with the Philips design team to overhaul their overall design language system (DLS). Heart Health would be the first app to use the new language. The system needed to work across a huge spectrum, from consumer products to state-of-the-art medical equipment. And it needed to be user friendly for both consumers and professionals, as well as visually rich and engaging.
How it works
The activity tracker and app engages the user in a 24-week program, divided into sections from nutrition, activity, sleep, and more. Each day a person is given a target to reach within the category. As they progress, they are given new goals, while still keeping the others in mind. There was a slight gamification of the data to engage and encourage.
TRANSFORMING DATA
INTO HEALTHY HABITS
Each user has personalized goals based on their medical conditions.
Each day the app describes what it is they are doing and why it’s important.
Communication of the Program
While working on designing this new app, I also worked on helping the promotion of the app within Philips’ active media channels. These media channels used Philips’ existing visual brand standards, and so a balance was needed between the two styles.
