This project investigates the use of data-driven technologies in informal care and develops a design toolkit to help designers and system developers conceptualize an IoT-based informal care system.
The resulting toolkit includes four tools: Card Set, Ideation Canvas, Journey Maps, and Toolkit Guide. The toolkit is evaluated with designers and found to be successful in inspiring new ideas and creating innovative, user-friendly solutions.
CHALLENGE
My goal was to enhance the efficiency of designers through a user-centred approach, aimed at ideating IoT informal care solutions.
OUTCOME
A tangible toolkit was created to facilitate smart informal care solution ideation. It consists of four card sets, a canvas, a map and a guide to assist in the design process.
Abstract
This master's dissertation project presents the development of a design toolkit for IoT-based informal care systems, aiming to revolutionize healthcare solutions for elderly individuals and those with chronic health conditions. The toolkit was developed through user research, including workshops and card sorting activities, to gather insights and preferences of designers and system developers. It provides resources and guidance for the design process by categorized card sets, an ideation map and a canvas. An evaluation workshop was conducted to assess the toolkit's usability, effectiveness and relevance, revealing positive feedback from participants for its applicability in routine design work. Preliminary findings indicate that the toolkit enhances the usability and effectiveness of the design process within the context of IoT-based informal care systems. Despite its contributions, some limitations, such as the issue of mutual exclusion among different card categories, warrant further research. Overall, this study enriches the academic discourse in the realms of informal care and IoT design by presenting a pragmatic toolkit aimed at fostering innovative and user-centric solutions.
