I led the research and merged it
with systems thinking to craft a product-service ecology that helps women with the chronic condition PCOS feel empowered and better manage their health.
Overview
Propose a system to help individuals with chronic health conditions better manage their wellbeing and condition.
Key Skills
Project Length
Research
Systems Design
Ideation
Concept Development
Spring 2022 // 5 weeks
2 weeks [research]
2 week [systems thinking]
1 week [execution]
Tools
Figjam
, Zoom, Kumu, Loopy, Figma, Adobe
Suite, Google Suite
Project Team
Solo
Mentor
Worldwide, PCOS affects 5 million women, making it the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age of which 50% go undiagnosed.
The Challenge
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome impacts millions of women and although it's a chronic health condition- the cause
is unknown and has no known cure.
It affects each woman differently.
3x
higher risk of endometrial cancer in women with PCOS
50%
women with PCOS before
age 40 will go on to have
Type 2 Diabetes
Meet Freya
USER PERSONA
“When I slack sometimes, I notice my symptoms coming back - like a clock ticking.
I can never tell!”
Freya (32, Married)
“Zero guidance from docs. Why don't you tell me what kind of diet and exercise will work on my body?”
Ishita (27, Single)
Imbalance of
multiple hormones
THE CURRENT FEEDBACK STATE
IN THE BODY
Recently, her symptoms escalated causing her immense physical
and psychological pain.
No way for her to know when her symptoms are caused due to PCOS
or her monthly menstrual cycle.
How might we help Freya predict and prevent her symptoms from escalating again, with the help of technology?
Introducing Tula
OPPORTUNITY LANDSCAPE
Empowering
Freya
THE FUTURE FEEDBACK LOOP
WITH THE HELP OF TULA
She can predict the early onset of her symptoms with Tula. Now, she can take the necessary precautions to prevent
her condition from aggravating.
With time, she develops a better understanding of what triggers her
body in particular.
Freya saves time with
self-tests at home
Freya live monitors
her body signals
Freya understands
her facial changes
In-app predictions empower Freya
LOW-FIDELITY DESIGNS
Tula: Product-Service Ecology Wellness
Reflections & Takeaways
Assessing the system is key to discovering better leverage points.
A stand-alone mobile application would not have resolved the deeper needs of a person with a chronic condition. However, mapping out the care network and system helped me discover multiple areas where design and technological solutions collectively could empower women with PCOS.
Balancing speculative solutions with existing physical and digital infrastructure
I forced myself to stay grounded in reality while creating a solution for this.
Ex: The future belongs to medical sensor implants, however, the research suggested that women with PCOS are hesitant to take medicines, so an implant would have a tougher road to acceptance.
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