managing blood sugar health made more simple with ai-assisted reporting on SugarSync

managing blood sugar health made more simple with ai-assisted reporting on SugarSync

managing blood sugar health made more simple with ai-assisted reporting on SugarSync

a diabetic debacle

a diabetic debacle

Witnessing my "Irish twin" little sister go into diabetic shock at just 9 years old was a real wake-up call for me.

Witnessing my "Irish twin" little sister go into diabetic shock at just 9 years old was a real wake-up call for me.

Since then, our family's journey with Type 1 Diabetes has opened my eyes to the limitations of existing management tools, sparking my passion to design solutions for underserved communities.

Since then, our family's journey with Type 1 Diabetes has opened my eyes to the limitations of existing management tools, sparking my passion to design solutions for underserved communities.

So, for this project, I decided to dive deep into this diabetic debacle in an attempt to better understand how these tools fall short for users like my sister - her name’s Hailey, btw.

So, for this project, I decided to dive deep into this diabetic debacle in an attempt to better understand how these tools fall short for users like my sister - her name’s Hailey, btw.

My little sister's diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes rocked her world and forever changed my relationship to accessible design.

My little sister's diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes rocked her world and forever changed my relationship to accessible design.

app city, app app city

app city, app app city

In our first interview, Hailey summed up her experience perfectly: juggling 5 apps to manage her blood sugar health is exhausting.

In our first interview, Hailey summed up her experience perfectly: juggling 5 apps to manage her blood sugar health is exhausting.

These tools (think myfitnesspal, Dexcom) operate in silos, forcing users like her to cobble together a frustrating experience and in my opinion, there's a clear need for better integration here.

These tools (think myfitnesspal, Dexcom) operate in silos, forcing users like her to cobble together a frustrating experience and in my opinion, there's a clear need for better integration here.

Apps like Dexcom and Omnipod are necessary for diabetic users but they don't integrate features like food tracking or nutrition calculation forcing users to use myfitnesspal.

Apps like Dexcom and Omnipod are necessary for diabetic users but they don't integrate features like food tracking or nutrition calculation forcing users to use myfitnesspal.

The image featured at the top of the about us page #2
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2

My little sister's diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes rocked her world and forever changed my relationship to accessible design.

interview insights

interview insights

3 of 5 user interviews (including Hailey) were Type 1 diabetics & highlighted key frustrations: (again) juggling multiple apps (Myfitnesspal, Dexcom) and unreliable device connections.

3 of 5 user interviews (including Hailey) were Type 1 diabetics & highlighted key frustrations: (again) juggling multiple apps (Myfitnesspal, Dexcom) and unreliable device connections.

Interestingly, all users manage blood sugar via smartphone, and 3/5 desired remote reporting to doctors.

Interestingly, all users manage blood sugar via smartphone, and 3/5 desired remote reporting to doctors.

Affinity mapping revealed a core user who could benefit from a solution that integrates seamlessly and connects with healthcare providers.

Affinity mapping revealed a core user who could benefit from a solution that integrates seamlessly and connects with healthcare providers.

Secondary research and the synthesis of my user interviews provided me with a core user persona to build for - one who seeks a convenient way to connect with their health care team.

ONE STOP SUGAR SHOP

ONE STOP SUGAR SHOP

My goal in this case became to create a native application that might simplify blood sugar tracking for type one diabetics like my little sister.

My goal in this case became to create a native application that might simplify blood sugar tracking for type one diabetics like my little sister.

This all-in-one tool would, in theory, connect with health devices, track diet and exercise, and generate daily reports with AI insights – to all then be easily shared with doctors.

This all-in-one tool would, in theory, connect with health devices, track diet and exercise, and generate daily reports with AI insights – to all then be easily shared with doctors.

The image featured at the top of the about us page #2
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2

SISTER SISTER

SISTER SISTER

Though unlaunched, this app was successfully tested with my sister (the project's muse).

Though unlaunched, this app was successfully tested with my sister (the project's muse).

Hailey confirmed that it could help her manage her blood sugar by consolidating data and creating reports and she loved the idea of AI-powered reporting for doctors, a task that she’s always found difficult.

Hailey confirmed that it could help her manage her blood sugar by consolidating data and creating reports and she loved the idea of AI-powered reporting for doctors, a task that she’s always found difficult.

The image featured at the top of the about us page #2
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2

a diabetic debacle

Witnessing my "Irish twin" little sister go into diabetic shock at just 9 years old was a real wake-up call for me.

Since then, our family's journey with Type 1 Diabetes has opened my eyes to the limitations of existing management tools, sparking my passion to design solutions for underserved communities.

So, for this project, I decided to dive deep into this diabetic debacle in an attempt to better understand how these tools fall short for users like my sister - her name’s Hailey, btw.

app city, app app city

Hailey, a Type 1 diabetic, summed it up perfectly: juggling 5 apps to manage her blood sugar health is exhausting.

These tools (think Myfitnesspal, Dexcom) operate in silos, forcing users like her to cobble together a frustrating experience.

In my opinion, there's a clear need for better integration here.

interview insights

3 of 5 user interviews (including Hailey) were Type 1 diabetics & highlighted key frustrations: (again) juggling multiple apps (Myfitnesspal, Dexcom) and unreliable device connections.

Interestingly, all users manage blood sugar via smartphone, and 3/5 desired remote reporting to doctors.

Affinity mapping revealed a core user who could benefit from a solution that integrates seamlessly and connects with healthcare providers.

one stop sugar shop

My goal in this case became to create a native application that might simplify blood sugar tracking for type one diabetics like my little sister.

This all-in-one tool would, in theory, connect with health devices, track diet and exercise, and generate daily reports with AI insights – to all then be easily shared with doctors.

The image featured at the top of the about us page #2
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2

sister sister

Though unlaunched, this app was successfully tested with my sister (the project's muse).

Hailey confirmed that it could help her manage her blood sugar by consolidating data and creating reports and she loved the idea of AI-powered reporting for doctors, a task that she’s always found difficult.

The image featured at the top of the about us page #2
The image featured at the top of the about us page #2

Apps like Dexcom and Omnipod are necessary for diabetic users but they don't integrate features like food tracking or nutrition calculation forcing users to use myfitnesspal.

Secondary research and the synthesis of my user interviews provided me with a core user persona to build for - one who seeks a convenient way to connect with their health care team.