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TYPE: UX/UI, Product, Redesign
ROLE: Concept, Research, Form
DURATION: Sep 2019 - Dec 2019
The Problem
With the significant demographic increase of the elderly (65+) globally, healthcare and healthcare systems are facing significant increase in demand for (and costs of) care. This means that how we provide care, not just at the bedside, but also through services and support, must always be explored and challenged in order to find better, innovative, cost-effective and implementable solutions.
By conducting observational research at Baycrest's Samuel Lunefeld Mountainview Club — a club for adults with various stages and forms of dementia — as well as informal discussions with Subject Matter Experts working at the facility, our team found an opportunity surrounding the current dining experience. How might we create a bib for adults with dementia that is comfortable, non-stigmatizing, and liberating?
The Solution
Spotless is an easy to wear alternative to the traditional bib. Spotless helps give adults with dementia independence and confidence during meals by reducing elements of "childishness" seen in traditional bib designs. It's easy to fold and store, making it flexible to use in any setting; and it's easy to clean and wash, reducing the workload for users and/or their caregivers.
Project Overview
I was part of a group of Industrial Design students that worked with Baycrest Center in Toronto to design assistive products for older adults living with dementia, their caregivers and families that help improve their everyday lives.
Team Members: Juling Hancock, Rima Al Moman, Ayo Olagbemi, and Anna You
I was the main form developers on Spotless (I drew concept sketches, created prototypes, and sewed the final model), a design researcher, a presentation creator and an editor.
Throughout the project I was constantly asking myself "how can I make my clients' live's easier?", because I really wanted to design a solution that would make a difference in their daily routine and that they'd actually use.
In order to get the outcome I wanted, I knew I had to put myself in my clients' shoes in order to fully understand their struggles. The clients were the patients with dementia, their caregivers, and the hospital staff, and each had their own wants and needs.
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Secondary Research
Existing data from articles, and research papers were used to understand the different types of Dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (the most common form).
Looking specifically at Frontotemporal dementia, it is an umbrella term for a group of rare disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain — the areas of the brain associated with behaviour, personality and language.
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It affects men and women
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It often begins between the ages of 40-65
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It can result in memory loss, dramatic changes in behaviour and personality, difficulty in speech and movement
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There is no known cure or effective way to slow progression
Understanding the user
We started by conducting primary and secondary research to better understand the problem and the people affected by it.
Provisional Persona
Data from secondary research was used to create a provisional persona to represent the target user group, adults ages 60 and over with mixed-dementia. Many individual often have more than one form of dementia because it can be difficult to diagnose.
Summary
Conducting research
From the observation sessions conducted at the Mountainview Club, it was noticed that a number of individuals required bibs during mealtime. This meant that they needed to wait for assistance from a staff member to come over and help them put it on or take it off, and the clients couldn't start eating with their fellow non-bib wearing members.
When we observed our classmates in the ageing suits we noticed our classmates’ limited ability to move their hands above their heads, it indicated to us that older people are typically unable to reach behind their head to put on/take off the bib independently.
Overall, these observations gave us a deeper understanding of the everyday challenges that people with dementia face and the needs of our target user group.
Data Synthesis
Data from secondary research and our observations with stakeholders was organized into an empathy map and affinity diagram to generate insights.
Defining the problem
We synthesized the research data to identify themes and connections, and define the core problem.
Concept Sketches
Insights generated from the synthesized data were used to come up with possible solutions to the problem at hand. After ideating a variety of concepts individually, the team came together to share and discuss ideas. Designs were grouped and combined to create three concepts from which one would be selected.
Each design was compared to the design criteria in order to select the one that met the needs of the target user group best.
Ideating solutions
We came up with ideas to solve the needs of the target user group after identifying opportunities from research.
User Journey
The user experience was organized in a journey to visualize how the target user would use the product in a real world senario, and identify potential pain points and opportunities.
Prototyping designs
We looked at the insights gathered from the research, competitive analysis and initial feedback we received from our classmates and professors to explore the form and materials.
Next steps
Next steps were determined: conduct user testing, present findings to peers, mentors, and SMEs for feedback, and identify possible next steps for future development of the Spotless.
Testing prototypes
We were unable to conduct user testing with our target user group at Baycrest Center.
Design Process
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Summary
What we learned from ideating solutions
While we ideated solutions, we realized that although “bibs” were a practical way to keep a person’s clothes from getting spoiled, the adult bibs that were currently on the market were degrading, infantilizing, and were hard to put on and take off independently. On one hand this could be because caretakers do not want their clients to take their bibs off while they are eating, but on the other hand clients often find wearing bibs uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
Overall, we reviewed the identified needs of our target user, compared our designs to our design criteria and decided that there was a lot of opportunity in redesigning the adult bib for adults with dementia.
Summary
What we learned from defining the problem
By finding insights from the empathy map and affinity diagram, we were able define the problem and the design criteria for our solution.
The criteria we established was that the design must be functional, non-stigmatizing, and provide independence. It should be easy to wash/clean and enhance users dining experience. And could be customizable and have exclusive packaging.
By analyzing the insights we identified, we were also able to determine areas in our target user group's routine where design solutions could make an impact and improve our user persona to reflect the characteristics of the participants we observed from our primary research.
POV Statement
Insights from synthesized data were used to phrase the problem and define design criteria.
"Adults with dementia need a way to gain back their independence and feel less infantilized in their daily lives because they often have to rely on other people to help them complete tasks due to memory loss, lack of motor function and speech."
Primary Research
Qualitative data was collected from speaking directly with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as well as from observational research conducted within the Mountainview Club at at Baycrest Center.
Ageing suits were also used to experience what it would be like to have the same ailments as people with dementia first hand.
User Persona
Synthesized data from observational research was also used to refine the provisional persona to better reflect the target user group overall.
Final Prototype
A high-fidelity prototype was sewn in order to conduct user testing and present the final design at Baycrest Center to everyone who had been involved.
"Spotless is a better alternative to the traditional bib. It's napkin-like design works to prevent both hot and cold food or liquid from spoiling clothes, while also giving users more confidence and independence. While it was original created for adults with dementia, its elegant and easy to put on design allows for all types of users to wear it and be comfortable."
Competitive Analysis
Market research was done on popular bibs, fashion bibs and children’s bibs, which were compared to identify possible features to include in the final design.
Prototypes
Different level prototypes were created to explore the look, functionality and materials of the bib, and get feedback from classmates, professors and SMEs.
Summary
What we learned from creating prototypes
After every iteration of the design we received valuable feedback from our classmates, our professors, and the SMEs at Baycrest. For example after one feedback session, the Subject Matter Experts said they:
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Liked that we had designed a bib that no longer reminded them of a children's bib.
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Wanted the bib to be machine washable not just a wipe down.
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Disliked the use of metal clips, since it could lead to injury if someone were to throw it.
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Suggested we choose a material that is somewhat heat resistant, in case a the user were to spill hot food on themselves.
Overall, the constructive comments we were given really helped us refine our concept and make sure it was solving for the needs of our target user group. In total, we went through 8 different iterations of the prototype changing the design slightly each time to make it better.
DesignTO 2020
Feedback from user testing was presented to peers and mentors as possible next steps for future development of the platform.
Showcasing work
We exhibited our finished project at the 2020 DesignTO Festival.
Summary
What we learned from testing with users
Although we were unable to conduct user testing, we believe that our product had met our design criteria, because we were successful in creating a bib that was not stigmatizing, that promoted independence, and that gave users confidence, and that was completely functional and safe to use.
Overall, through this project we learned a lot about the design process, particularly refining ideas and prototypes. We realized that we could create many different iterations of the same product, and learned a lot about designer-client relations. It was often difficult to choose whose input to take when making design decisions (e.g. the clients or fellow designers).
Ultimately, we believe we improved the dining experience for those who require a bib while eating. However, we also think there could be a better clasping mechanism that is universally used. Since Spotless uses magnets, people with pacemakers are currently unable to use it.
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