Lucia

Overview

The prompt for this 12-week Senior Capstone project was to curate a self-directed project with chosen objectives.

Lucia is a multi-sensory HIV self-test kit that provides privacy and autonomy to the visually impaired.

Time

August 2024 - Novmeber 2024

Credits

Lisa Marks (Professor)

Skills

Interviews, Affinity Mapping, Fusion 360, KeyShot 2023, Figma, Procreate

HIV Self-Tests

HIV self-tests have given millions around the world an easy and private means for monitoring their own health status

But, they’re…

Not designed for the visually impaired

Millions of visually impaired users are forced to feel their way through the test with a vast majority not being able to read the test results in the end

Voices from the Visually Impaired Community

After speaking to over 15 members of the visually impaired community about their wants and experiences with inaccessible product design, here are what some of them said…

Design Criteria

Build a multi-sensory experience

Ensure the privacy of users

Enable personal autonomy

Lucia

Enabling access to HIV self-tests for the visually impaired

The packaging is printed with large text to improve visibility for those with low vision
and braille for those with complete blindness.
Additionally, there’s a tactile QR code that when scanned with a phone directs you to the instructional website

Packaging

Website

On the website, you are directed by an audio assistant and is paired with large type captions. The combination of the two provides a comforting voice guiding you through each step while maximizing comprehension

Each step will have an accompanying 2D illustration to visualize the steps

Test Tube

The test tube is designed with wide base to provide stability, a connected cap to eliminate small components, and a tactile arrow to indicate an upright position and where the cap is

Test Swab

The test swab is designed with a retraction mechanism, similar to a utility knife

Connection

After swabbing your mouth, you then place the swab into the test tube

The two have snap-fit joints for a secure hold and tactile feedback which provides sensory confirmation that connection is done correctly

Once connected, you extend the swab so that the tip makes contact with the testing fluid

Built-In Timer

The website will start a 20-minute timer as the test processes

The built-in timer improves ease of use as the user does not have to set their own time outside of the website.

Results Interpretation

To interpret the results, the swab provides two options. One is visual with an LCD like the one on a digital pregnancy test and the other is auditory with a button at the end of the swab that returns a series of beeps

1 beep for an invalid result, 2 for a positive results, and 4 for a negative

Post-Test Information

At the end of the test, you can choose to read more information on what each result means and recommended next steps

THE PROCESS

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THE PROCESS /

Accessible Home Tests

Assembled by the NIH RADx Initiative, the Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Tests publicizes the findings of accessibility tests from different groups, including the Georgia Tech HomeLab, to accelerate the manufacturing of accessible COVID-19 home tests. This document acted as key literature to guide the ideation and user-testing phases.

Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Tests

Interviews

To get a wider understanding of accessible design and the daily experiences of visual impaired folk, I conducted interviews with 2 accessible design researchers, 3 visually impaired users, and participated in a local support group for the visually impaired.

Affinity Map

Insights

Following the interviews, I affinity mapped to group my findings and extract 3 key insights into how the visually impaired interact with accessible design.

Observations

Observation Analysis

To improve existing the design, it was necessary to observe and analyze the process of using an HIV self-test. From these observations, I found that the current OraQuick HIV Self-Test was highly visually with only 2 instances of non-visual feedback. Further, the test only offered printed instructions that were reviewed 6 times throughout the test.

Concept Ideation

Ideation started with an assessment of the 2 versions of the OraQuick HIV Self-Test to determine specific areas where the design can be improved. These improvements were then brought together in concept sketches.

User Testing

To further find areas of design improvements and to test current concepts, I conducted 4 user tests where each participant was asked to close their eyes and interact with both a low-fidelity prototype and existing test components. I tested packaging form, coordination when swabbing the gums, coordination when connecting the swab to the test tube, and the format of verbal instructions.

Key findings: (1) All participants touched the swab tip and contaminated their tests, (2) All participants needed the instructions to be repeated to them at least twice, (3) All participants needed to hold the swab close to the tip to help align the swab into the test tube, (4) All participants understood their test results which were given as a series of beeps

Model Exploration

The final model was based on existing structures of HIV self-tests and digital pregnancy tests along side simple mechanisms such as a button, buzzer, and slider. In doing so, Lucia’s design is feasible with current technologies and works with existing mental models to be easily understood and lower barriers to adoption.