What I did

Mobile App Redesign

client

4basecare

duration

2 days

completion

July 2022

Design challenge | UX design

Redesigning the UI of
the OncoBuddy Mobile Application

Context

The Product

OncoBuddy is a comprehensive digital healthcare platform designed to support cancer patients and their caregivers.
This AI-powered application  revolutionises medical record management, simplifies patient-doctor interactions through virtual consultations, and provides a robust knowledge hub for the latest developments in cancer care.

What's the Problem?

The current UI of the application lacks usability and modern visual appeal, leading to user frustration and decreased engagement.
Users are struggling with navigation, and the design does not fully meet their evolving needs. Furthermore, accessibility features are insufficient, limiting inclusivity.

The Goal

The aim of this design challenge is to enhance usability, modernise the visual design, improve accessibility, and ensure the app remains competitive in the market.
The goal is to build a holistic platform that creates a supportive and personalised space during one's cancer care journey.
solution

A holistic platform creating a supportive and personalised space during one's cancer care journey.

Design process

For this UI redesign challenge, I followed the following design process:

Research

Understanding user needs and challenges.

Analyse

Identifying gaps and areas for improvement in the current UI.

Build

Crafting user-friendly, intuitive, and visually appealing interfaces.
01.

Research

Overview

The primary goal of the research was to understand the challenges faced by current and potential users and evaluate if their needs are met. I accomplished this by:

i
Defining the target audience to gain insights into their needs and expectations.
ii
Analysing pain points, preferences, and experiences with digital cancer care platforms.
iii
Exploring daily health management challenges and how they use the app to address them.
Defining the Target audience

The target audience consists of several key groups, each with distinct needs and requirements. Here’s the breakdown:

I

Cancer Patients:

Current Patients: Individuals who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

Survivors: Individuals who have completed treatment and are in remission.

II

Caregivers and Family Members:                                    

Primary Caregivers: Family members or friends who are responsible for the day-to-day care of a cancer patient.

Family Members: Relatives who are involved in the patient’s care and support network.

III

Healthcare Providers:

Oncologists: Specialists who treat cancer patients.

General Practitioners: Primary care doctors who may be involved in the initial diagnosis and ongoing care of cancer patients.

Nurses and Allied Health Professionals: Medical staff involved in the day-to-day care of cancer patients.

IV

Other Stakeholders:                                                      

Healthcare Institutions (Hospitals and Clinics): Specialised centers focused on cancer treatment.


Researchers and Academics: Universities and research centers involved in cancer research.

Pharmaceutical Companies: Drug Developers involved in the development of cancer treatments and Medical Devices.

Insurance Companies: Provision of health insurance coverage for cancer patients.

To be able to complete the assignment in 2 days, I focused only on the cancer patients flow to reduce the scope. In this assignment, the target audience will be the cancer patients and their needs will be assessed and solved.

Pain Points, Needs and Expectations

I was able to come up with six main categories where pain points lie, while mapping the target audiences expectations with the platform.

i
I began by reading Google reviews, cancer discussion forums and interviewed two cancer survivors to gain insights into the target audience's journey and expectations.
ii
I plotted all these data points on to sticky notes and clustered them into trends. The six categories with the challenges and expectations are explained below.
user journey
02.

analyse

Now that we have our pain points and expectations mapped, it was time to identify gaps in the existing flow of the app.
This would allow us to redesign the UI for a more effective and intuitive experience for the target audience.

Insights from the interface analysis

After careful study of the flow and design gaps in the current flow of the apps, the following parameters have to be kept in mind to make the UI designs effective.
i

User Experience and Interface Design:

Improve visual hierarchy, typography, text readability and design consistency.
Add greeting and encouraging quotes.
Ensure clear CTAs and intuitive navigation.
ii

Content and Engagement:

Ensure consistent visibility of engaging content like the "Question of the Day".
Use high-quality, relevant images instead of generic stock photos.
Foster community engagement through dedicated sections.
iii

Navigation and Accessibility:

Simplify navigation with clear CTAs and organized sections.
Provide clear guidance for empty states and user actions.
Adhere to accessibility guidelines for font sizes and readability.
iv

Information Display and Usability:

Optimize the display of information, especially for doctors and records.
Use step-by-step flows and clear instructions to reduce cognitive load.
Highlight key actions and make important information easily accessible.
03.

Build

In the final step, it was time to work on the sitemap and outline features that address pain points and user needs. This will help design an intuitive experience that simplifies navigation and enhances engagement, ensuring the app meets the needs of cancer patients.

Key Learnings

Some essential lessons I've learned on completion of the design challenge:

i

User-Centric Design and Content:

I discovered the significance of designing the app to meet the unique needs and preferences of specific personas. This involved adopting a friendly tone, delivering engaging content, and ensuring intuitive navigation.
I also recognised the value of tailoring content for different sections to keep users engaged and supported throughout their journey.
ii

Visual and Functional Enhancements:

I identified the necessity for cohesive visual design elements, including colour schemes, gradients, button placements, and text hierarchies. I proposed specific enhancements to elevate the app's aesthetics and usability.
Additionally, I understood the value of maintaining visual consistency and a clear hierarchy to improve user experience, making the app more intuitive and easier to navigate.
iii

Comprehensive Feature Integration:

I learned how to prioritise feature development based on requirements to effectively meet the needs of the target audience.
I emphasised the importance of seamlessly integrating these features to create multiple touch-points and engagement opportunities, ensuring users feel supported and informed throughout their journey.
Skill Improvements as a Product Designer:

These skill advancements reflect my growth as a designer:

Enhanced User Empathy and Research Skills:

I deepened my understanding of the unique challenges faced by cancer patients, resulting in empathetic design decisions.

I refined my ability to synthesise user feedback into actionable design elements that elevate the user experience.

Refined Visual and Interaction Design:

I gained expertise in creating visually cohesive interfaces by selecting effective color schemes, gradients, and hierarchies.

I enhanced my skills in designing intuitive user interfaces with clear navigation paths, ensuring a smooth user journey.

Strengthened Content Strategy & Communication:

I developed the ability to craft engaging content tailored to different app sections, maintaining consistency in tone and style.

I improved my capacity to present complex information clearly, making it easier for users to understand the app’s features.