MISSION LINK
A project that demonstrates a communication system linking three key participants in a mission, along with UI/UX features tailored to the specific needs of each role.
This project involved creating user interfaces tailored to distinct military assets, focusing on enhancing real-time communication, situational awareness, and operational efficiency. The team was divided into three specialized groups, each tasked with designing interfaces for a specific military unit: Infantry Soldiers, the M1A2 Abrams Tank, and the AH-64 Apache. Through extensive research and iterative design, the project aimed to develop cohesive, user-centered solutions that addressed the functional and technological demands of military personnel in field operations.
Overview
Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's face challenges like managing medications, scheduling appointments, tracking vital signs, and providing emotional support, often leading to isolation and stress.
​
The primary challenge of this project was designing an app that meets the needs of both professional and family caregivers, while being user-friendly, accessible, and adaptable to different caregiving styles. The app needed to simplify complex tasks, reduce stress, and improve collaboration with healthcare providers.
​
Key challenges included:
-
Designing an intuitive interface for a diverse user base.
-
Ensuring privacy and security for sensitive medical information.
-
Balancing simplicity with comprehensive caregiving features.
ROLE
As the lead for this multifaceted project, I oversaw the planning and execution of design activities across three specialized teams, each led by a design manager and supported by 4-5 designers. I was responsible for ensuring alignment with overarching project objectives, guiding teams in creating realistic scenarios and personas, and maintaining a collaborative and research-driven approach.
By consulting with a U.S. Army Major as a subject matter expert, I facilitated informed decision-making and ensured that designs reflected operational realities. My role also included coordinating across teams to unify their efforts and deliver interfaces that prioritized usability, functionality, and safety.
Week One: Research & begin planning
Week Two: Wireframing
Week Three: UI Execution
Week Four: Project Wrap-up & Fine Details
TIMELINE
THE CHALLENGE
The challenge was to create interfaces tailored to three different military assets while maintaining a unified design approach. Each group needed to understand the needs of their assigned unit, including workflows, tasks, and key features such as communication tools and real-time data displays. Balancing these unique requirements with overall project objectives required careful planning and teamwork.
Timeline
Week 1: Team creation, research & planning
Week 2: Wireframing and SME input
Week 3: Design Development
Week 4: Project Wrap-up & Fine Details
RESEARCH
PROTOTYPING
UI DESIGN
MAIN GOAL
Design an application specifically tailored to caregiver support for Alzheimer's patients. organizing medication management, daily routines, and fostering connections with caregivers
TIMELINE
Week One: Research & begin planning
Week Two: Wireframing
Week Three: UI Execution
Week Four: Project Wrap-up & Fine Details
UNDERSTANDING THE USER
Develop a detailed and empathetic user persona to guide the design of a product or service aimed at supporting caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The goal is to understand the caregiver's needs, challenges, and motivations to create user-centered solutions.
RESEARCH
Conducted user interviews with Alzheimer’s caregivers to gather insights about their daily routines, emotional challenges, and coping strategies.
-
Analyzed data from secondary research (e.g., caregiver support forums, Alzheimer’s advocacy resources) to identify common themes
User Survey:
-
I surveyed medical (nurses) and non-medical caregivers (family and friends) to understand their daily routines, challenges, and tech preferences. The survey focused on medication management, task delegation, emotional well-being, and communication needs.
​
Secondary Research
-
I analyzed academic research, case studies, and caregiver testimonials to identify key pain points like medication tracking, task coordination, and emotional stress.
​Persona Development:​
-
Based on survey results and research findings, I created a user persona: "Ellis," a 62-year-old retired nurse caring for her elderly mother. This persona helped guide design decisions, ensuring that the app met the users' practical needs while addressing their emotional and psychological concern.​
​
​Competitive Analysis:
-
I also analyzed existing caregiving apps to understand the current market offerings and identify functionality and user experience gaps. This analysis informed the features and design elements that would set the app apart.
PERSONA
SCENARIO
IMPACT
Creating this persona enabled the design team to stay user-focused throughout the project. By understanding Patricia’s experiences, the team could empathize with real-world caregiving challenges and craft meaningful, supportive solutions tailored to her needs.
RESEARCH
PROTOTYPING
UI DESIGN
User Flow Explained
The Alzheimer’s caregiver app features a streamlined user flow designed for simplicity and efficiency. Users start at a central dashboard with quick access to key tools: Physician Link, Journal, Messages, Vitals, Medication, Calendar, and Patient Information. Each feature addresses specific caregiving needs, like tracking medications, organizing tasks, and monitoring health. Tools like Messages and Physician Link enable collaboration with family and healthcare providers, while Journal and Vitals support observation logging and health tracking. This flow ensures caregivers can manage responsibilities with ease and confidence.
The user flow is organized into five icons:
​
-
Physicians
-
Journal
-
Messages
-
Vitals
-
Medication
-
Calendar
Physician Link
Caregivers can communicate directly with physicians through the app, share patient updates, and request advice, ensuring better coordination of care.
​
Journal
The journal feature allows caregivers to record daily observations, noting changes in the patient’s behavior, mood, and physical condition, which can then be shared with healthcare providers.​
​
Vitals Tracking
Caregivers can log and monitor key health metrics, such as blood pressure and heart rate, with visual graphs and alerts for any abnormalities.
​​​
Medication Management
The app allows caregivers to input, track, and receive reminders for medications, ensuring that they never miss a dose and can monitor medication adherence.​​
​
Journal
The journal feature allows caregivers to record daily observations, noting changes in the patient’s behavior, mood, and physical condition, which can then be shared with healthcare providers.
​
Calendar and Appointments
The integrated calendar organizes appointments, caregiving tasks, and events, with customizable reminders to keep caregivers on track.
USER FLOW
WIREFRAMES
RESEARCH
PROTOTYPING
UI DESIGN
CONCLUSION
The creation of Ellis Foster as a persona provided the foundation for understanding the day-to-day struggles of Alzheimer’s caregivers. Her emotional journey, professional background, and caregiving challenges directly influenced the design decisions for the Alzheimer’s caregiver app. This persona allowed me to develop an intuitive, supportive, and effective solution tailored to the needs of caregivers like Patricia, ensuring the app addressed both practical caregiving tasks and emotional well-being. By grounding the design in the real-life experiences of caregivers, the app aims to provide meaningful support and enhance the caregiving process.
