March - June 2021
Team: Emily Boehmer, Bradley Stevens + Damian Noviello
Role: Research, Ideation + Design, 3D Modelling and Rendering (Blender), Business Case Development
The Insulix device on a child and on its own. CAD and renders created by Emily Boehmer.
The Brief
Design a health product with a focus on 'design for inclusion' - designs that help people with medical conditions and differences engage more fully in their community and in their lives. We chose to focus on type 1 diabetes in kids.
Design a diabetes management system for kids who are learning to manage their condition independently that reduces the amount of thought and interaction required so that kids can focus on being kids.
The Process
Research took the form of online reading, watching videos and vlogs shared by medical professionals and families with diabetic children, a small scale survey and discussions with people with type 1 diabetes. The research uncovered that children tended to become more independent in their diabetes management around the ages of 10-14 and that key pain points for this age group are the tiring and isolating impacts of carefully managing their food and exercise, not liking having to wear and manage multiple devices on the body and the inaccurate stigma associated with type 1 diabetes as a disease that is perceived as being a result of one's poor health choices.
Persona by Brad Stevens.
Persona by Brad Stevens.
Concepts were then generated for a simplified diabetes management system that could combine the insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor into a single device that did not look so medical and synthesise applications into a single application.
Concept sketches by Emily Boehmer.
The Design
Insulix is a device paired with an app that simplifies the complicated process of diabetes management to reduce the burden of the disease on both the affected child and their support system. The device combines a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump into a single unit that can be personlised with a range of both skin tones and bright colours. The device works with an app that combines the functions of a range of apps into one to streamline the management process, and the system can be maintained with a subscription that has the replacement parts and materials delivered to the family's home. The form of the device readily allows for insulin and replacement parts to be exchanged.
Insulix colourways. CAD and render by Emily Boehmer.
Insulix exploded view. CAD and render by Emily Boehmer.
The combines the functions of existing applications into one, including a bolus calculator, food diary, reminders about eating times and insulin + blood sugar level history. As all functions are now in a single app the data is synced across the functions making interactions quicker and more accurate.
Application prototype by Brad Stevens.