IDA PATCH
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
With the pace of technological advancement, designing with established technology leads to soon to be outdated and outpaced products. In this conceptual product design, we use technological predictions to create a product for people recovering from eating disorders.
INFORMED INNOVATION
In the research stage of the project, we looked into expert predictions about where technology is headed and what new technologies were coming out in the moment. IDA was designed in response to two trends:
Micro-needle innovations in medical technology, which allows for painless access to the bloodstream.
The rise of health information democratization with wearable devices like the FitBit and smart watches.
COMFORT & USABILITY
We were interested in the ways in which design can get smaller, more personalized and less intrusive. Merging the technology of micro needles and health wearable tech combines these interests, and so we decided it was a good direction for our project.
It was important to us to ensure our product’s comfortably as well as its ease of use. We also wanted our product to non-threatening and able to hide underneath clothing. Sustainability and durability were also important factors in our product’s design
MAKING NUTRITION FUN
Dealing with an eating disorder can be very stressful and tasking on one's mental health. With this in mind, we wanted to make sure every part of IDA is bright and friendly. One of these approaches was making characters for the app to represent the food groups (according to Canada's Food Guide).
FRU
Fruits and vegetables
TOAST
Whole grains
BEA
Protiens
DROPLET
Water and hydration
PROCESS
PHYSICAL MEETS DIGITAL
In designing a product with an accompanying app, we had two separate design objects that had to work together as a cohesive product. The patch went through physical prototypes, while the app went through digital prototypes and paper models. Working on two aspects of a product at once revealed how many factors need to be considered in making a smart object.
IDA patch with battery
COLLABORATORS
For this project I had partnered with Hadas Green, one of my peers in my program at OCAD University.
Project completed in December of 2018