GutHappy
A wellness platform focused on enhancing the quality of life for individuals managing gastrointestinal diseases.
Role:
UX/UI Designer
Timeframe:
6 months
Type:
Volunteer Case Study
Tools:
Figma, Optimal Workshop
Understanding the Problem
Chronic digestive diseases affect over twenty million Americans, and the numbers are steadily increasing. The impact of these diseases is staggering: more Americans are hospitalized for digestive issues than for any other condition, 25% of all surgeries are related to digestive diseases, and colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the U.S.
Living with a digestive disease can be exhausting and isolating, often taking a toll on a person's quality of life. It influences daily decisions and can be difficult to talk about openly. So, how can we help these individuals reclaim their lives?
DISCOVER
Competitor Analysis
I started my research by looking into potential competitors and quickly discovered that there aren’t many platforms specifically designed for gastrointestinal (GI) patients. The few that do exist tend to focus on just one aspect: diagnostics, symptom tracking, or connecting patients with healthcare providers.
I realized I didn’t want to build a platform centered solely on diagnostics. Instead, I wanted to address the challenges patients face after receiving a diagnosis, when they often feel scared and confused. I also observed that symptom-tracking platforms often miss the mark when it comes to providing valuable insights from the collected data. Usually, the responsibility for interpreting the information falls on the user, unless they decide to share it with their doctor.
To differentiate my product, I aimed to create a supportive environment where GI patients could easily learn about their conditions, monitor their symptoms, receive meaningful analyses, and securely store all their personal health information in one convenient place.
Survey
Before conducting user interviews, I wanted to familiarize myself with my target audience by distributing a survey to gain insights into how gastrointestinal (GI) diseases affect their quality of life. I managed to reach 134 participants by tapping into my personal network and connecting with GI patients in Facebook support groups. The participants represented a range of age groups and had been living with their GI conditions for different durations.
Two distinct preferences for disease management emerged among different user groups:
Individuals with GI conditions such as Crohn's Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) expressed interest in tracking their symptoms.
VS.
The survey results provided valuable insights into the attitudes and needs of GI patients, enabling me to refine the questions I asked during my interviews.
Interviews
Interviews were held with three target users to explore their perceptions of their GI diseases and the impact on their quality of life. The findings were affinity mapped and organized into clusters.
1
From this analysis, four key insights emerged:
Fear and uncertainty related to the initial diagnosis.
2
Monitoring GI health involves managing numerous factors.
93% of GI patients reported that their condition has had a negative effect on their quality of life
Those with Celiac Disease sought assistance in finding restaurants that could cater to their dietary restrictions.
3
Diet remains a consistent source of stress and difficulty.
4
There is a strong desire to understand the relationship between lifestyle choices and health outcomes.
By combining the survey data with the insights gained from the interviews, I was able to conduct a more thorough analysis of my target users, ensuring that I fully understood their challenges and could address them effectively.
DEFINE
The Problem
"Individuals with gastrointestinal diseases require a better way to monitor and comprehend their health, as these conditions can significantly reduce their quality of life."
After analyzing the research and identifying the core issue, I decided to concentrate on
Symptom Tracking & Disease Education
I recognized that the platform needed to be customized to each user’s specific diagnosis, offering not only a way to track their symptoms but also tools to help them better understand their condition and learn effective management strategies.
Due to time and resource constraints, symptom tracking was prioritized over a restaurant feature, as it offers greater value to a larger segment of the GI disease community. The restaurant feature will be revisited at a later stage, with the potential to either enhance user experience or serve as a separate opportunity.
Personas
Two personas were developed to represent the distinct types of users expected. These personas guided every decision made throughout the entire process, ensuring that the users' needs remained a priority.
The newly diagnosed patient grappling with the emotions and uncertainties related to their diagnosis.
The data-driven patient seeking to understand the relationship between their disease and lifestyle choices.
IDEATE
User Flows
Using these personas, I outlined the key flows that each user type would follow to reach their objectives.
“As a newly diagnosed GI patient, I want to gain a clearer understanding of my diagnosis and its implications for my life so that I can learn how to manage it and establish my new normal.”
— Adrianna
“As a data-driven patient, I want a method to track my diet, symptoms, and lifestyle so that I can share this information with my doctor and ensure I'm living the healthiest life possible for my GI condition.”
— James
Sitemap
Guided by the user flows, an initial sitemap was created to establish a framework for the navigation structure. This sitemap underwent several iterations, incorporating insights from an open card sort, user testing, and feedback from fellow designers. The final sitemap is presented below.
DESIGN
Sketching & Wireframes
My main goal in sketching initial wireframes was to keep the application as straightforward as possible, aiming to simplify rather than complicate the user experience. For the core tracking feature, I focused on minimizing user effort by reducing typing needs, making most interactions as easy as tapping a button.
Once the layout was complete, I digitized my sketches in Figma and created a prototype for testing.
TEST
Usability Testing
Usability testing was conducted with seven participants, both in-person and remotely, to evaluate the app’s ease of use for new users and understand how effectively it conveyed its health and wellness benefits.
7 Test Participants
3 with GI diagnoses
2 with a medical background
2 with no diagnosis or medical background
Test results were affinity mapped and organized into clusters to highlight key insights for design improvements.
Using a rainbow spreadsheet, core issues were identified, prioritized, and addressed accordingly.
Cleaner Interactions
Checkboxes were either enlarged or replaced with selectable chips for easier interaction, and scrolling was minimized wherever possible to make continuity buttons more noticeable.
Addressed Privacy Concerns
Users will now receive explanations for why their personal health information is requested, helping them feel more comfortable sharing.
Preference Testing
94% of participants chose the redesign, noting its simplicity, clarity, and balanced layout.
This range of participants allowed for insights into how the experience differed for those already living with GI conditions versus someone newly diagnosed seeking resources. Including those with medical backgrounds provided a professional perspective on how they interpreted the app's features and benefits.
Enhancements
Improved Flexibility
A fixed top navigation bar with exit and/or back buttons was added, ensuring users can always exit or go back, even as they scroll.
Improved Clarity
‘Your Recommendations’ was clarified to ‘Recommendations For You’ so users would understand that these are personally generated for them by the application
Two versions of the introduction screen were preference-tested with 16 participants to determine which design made the strongest first impression. After all, there’s only one chance to make a first impression!
RedesignOriginal
DELIVER
Style Guide
Primary Brand Colors
Different shades of blue and green were chosen as the band’s primary colors for their calm and fresh appeal. Variations of these core colors were used consistently throughout the design.
Features
Poppins was selected for its casual, clean aesthetic and excellent readability. Its range of weights allows for easy adaptation between body text and headings. The logo font, Oswald, complements this by adding a distinct and modern touch.
The final high-fidelity prototype was created after several iterations, incorporating feedback and testing results. An 8-point grid system was consistently applied throughout. The platform's four key features are outlined below, offering users a comprehensive way to manage their condition in one place. Users can securely store health information, track symptoms, gain a better understanding of their disease, stay informed on the latest research, and ultimately enhance their quality of life.
Personal Health Information
Symptom Tracking
Disease Education
Research
Prototype
LOOKING FORWARD
As this was a volunteer case study I conducted for a client, the current version represents the final iteration of my design. However, if this project were to continue, I would proceed with the following steps:
Further Testing and Iterations
Initial usability testing was conducted with the mid-fidelity prototype to evaluate platform functionality and learnability. The next phase would involve high-fidelity prototype testing to assess both functionality and users’ perception of the platform's look and feel. Insights from this testing would inform additional refinements.
Handoff to Development
Although a development team wasn’t part of this project, in a real-world scenario, I would coordinate closely with developers from the early stages to establish a shared vision. At this stage, I would guide them through the design process to ensure alignment and address any technical considerations. The handoff would include organized files, a clickable prototype to illustrate functionality, and detailed documentation.
Future Enhancements
Considering the strong interest from the Celiac community in a restaurant feature, this idea remains a potential future addition. Should it be seen as beneficial, I’d be eager to initiate the design.
Statistics courtesy of the GI Alliance, the largest physician-led GI network in the U.S.