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Medication Reminder
Develop a medication reminder device to lower the risks of drug mismanagement and promote safe, consistent adherence treatment plans.
Project Overview
Context
This project is sponsored by Erickson Senior Living. As our capstone project of the Design Studio course, we cooperated with our sponsor, Jennifer, who is the CEO of Erickson Senior Living, conducting the user research and product design seamlessly.
Timeline
Jan. 2025 - May. 2025
Preparation:​ February - March
Design Evolution: March - April
Usability Testing & Iteration: April - May
Team Members
Qian Li : UX Designer
Varun: Project Manager
Stephanie: UX Researcher
En Chen: Usability Engineer
Agenda
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Background & Mission Statement
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Users & Their Needs
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User Research
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​Design Evolution & Rationale
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Final Prototype
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Usability Testing Methods & Results
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Development Timeline
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​Next Steps
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Reflection
Background & Mission
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Erickson Senior Living Linden Ponds community provides a nurturing setting that delivers a mix between independence and individualized assisted care. Thanks for the support and feedback from our sponsor Jennifer and Erickson nurses!
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Our team is developing a medication reminder device to lower the risks of drug mismanagement and promote safe, consistent adherence treatment plans.
Current Medicine Storage At Linden Pond
Number lock & push component
Three fold cabinet style
In-wall; heavy material aluminum like
Target Users
User Needs
1
Amplified sound reminders
2
Medication information is clearly labeled.
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Details on timing/dosage.
3
Simple display and easy to use.
4
Contact Guardian if the medicine not taken.
Research Findings
On the market research
Overly automated
Pill box is often too light of a color (hard to see)
Expensive
Notification is not loud enough
Complicated Interface
Lid to entire storage not just to each compartment
Notes from sponsor ( CEO of Erickson Senior Living)
The more straightforward the engagement, the better.
Get pills as quick as possible
Visual cues will be helpful
Observations from interviews with Erickson Nurses
Design Evolution & Rationale
We initially envisioned a circular, rotating medication dispenser that automatically dispenses the correct pills into a small tray at the scheduled time.
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The device is paired with a mobile app that tracks user symptoms and provides medication reminders.
To improve portability for users on the go, we refined our design approach by adding a small screen to assist with medication reminder setup, paired with physical buttons for easy operation.
Regarding the inclusiveness of our product, we considered using sound and light to remind people taking medicine on time with correct dosage, who may have eyesight impairment or hearing impairment
After we did the research on the usability of touch screen for old people, we found that old people is used to, even prefer touch screens. Hence, we changed the physical buttons to interfaces in the touch screen.
Final Version
Default Mode
Multicolored and distinguishable buttons
Set dosage, time and notification mode
Customizable compartment for sufficient storage
Reminder Mode
Friendly notification text
Interactive feedback requires user action
Light, sound and snooze signals remind user taking medcine
Prototype
Design Rationale
Ease of Use
The operation of setting or editing a notification is extremely simple and ease of use
Touch screen is much more acceptable for our users
Inclusive & Accessible
High contrast (Physical & Digital)
Multiple alarm modes (sounds, vibration, lighting)
Use shape and color to help user distinguish different schedule and medication, easy to memorize
Simple wording and bigger fount -Black pillbox is good for user to see white pills!
Usability Testing
Goal : Testing the usability of setting medication times
Methods
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Task-based test using an interactive prototype + interview
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Think-aloud
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Task: set a reminder time
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Metrics: completion time & error clicks
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One moderator + multiple observers
Participants
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60+ years old
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Are currently and regularly taking pills/supplements
Process
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Intro & background & consent
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Task instruction & completion
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Participants demo & post-test interview
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63 yrs old
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​Female
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Completion time: 7 min 20 sec
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Vision limited, wear hearing aid
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Right-handed
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Use everyday reminder from her watch & daily basis dispensing box
Participant 1
Participant 2
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61 yrs old
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​Male
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Completion time: 4 min
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Left-handed
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Use phone clock for vitamins reminders
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Comfortable with technology
User Feedbacks
Positive Feedbacks
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Overall idea & process are great.
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The size of the display is suitable for older people.
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Snooze, sound, and light are good ideas.
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Clicking is better than scrolling when choosing.
User Suggestions
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Can be more intuitive flow & friendly to non-tech user.
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Pill photos for visual aid.
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Chat to set reminder.
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Mention default setting as default
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Offer physical aspect info before task.
Redesign (work with Cindy Huang)
​​Based on users' feedback and more research, we redesigned the whole structure of the container to fulfill people's needs.
Sketch
Screen
​Dependent component
​Date
​silicone carrying loop
Modeling
Next Steps
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Develop a high-fidelity interactive prototype to simulate user interactions and reminder functions.
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Conduct usability testing with elderly users to evaluate interface intuitiveness, clarity of notifications, and physical comfort.
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Iterate the design based on user feedback, refining ergonomics, visual hierarchy, and accessibility features.
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Explore system integration with a mobile app for adherence tracking and caregiver monitoring.
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Assess potential impact on medication safety and user independence through future pilot studies.