Path
Designing Safer, More Independent Travel for Dementia Patients
Healthcare / Accessibility
Winter 2025 (24 Hours)
Role
Product Designer
Outcomes
Two prototypes (patient + admin), Top 6 Finalist Presentation
Tools
Figma, FigJam
Focus Areas
UX/UI Design, Accessibility Design, Rapid Prototyping
Why 24 Hours Was Enough to Build Something That Matters
UX FEST
UX Fest SLO is a fast-paced designathon where teams race to plan, design, and prototype an original digital product in just 24 hours. Our team placed in the top six finalists out of more than eighty participants.
The Winter 2025 prompt asked us to build a mobile or web prototype that helps people plan and manage travel efficiently using AI-driven insights.
Instead of targeting the average traveler, we shifted the problem toward an overlooked but meaningful group: seniors living with dementia. We wanted to design something that supports independence and gives families peace of mind.
How can we better understand this problem?
User Interviews
Since this was our first time designing for a public-facing kiosk, we started with user interviews to learn what people expect and value in self-service experiences. We talked to participants aged 12 to 50 about their habits, frustrations, and what makes a kiosk feel smooth or confusing. These conversations gave us valuable qualitative data about user expectations and behaviors in public settings.
“Can you recall a time when using a self-service machine felt especially smooth or satisfying? What made it work well for you?”
“When you approach a self-service machine for the first time, what do you usually look for or expect to see right away?"
“What kinds of features or details make a self-service experience feel more enjoyable or worth coming back to?”
“Have you ever felt frustrated while using a self-service machine? What happened, and what do you think could have made it better?”
How do people interact with the current kiosk?
Think-aloud usability studies
To build on the interviews, we conducted think-aloud studies where participants completed tasks on the kiosk while verbalizing their thoughts. This helped us observe not only their actions but also their reasoning in real time. We asked participants to walk through the refill process, from selecting a product to checking out, and share what felt clear, confusing, or surprising. These sessions highlighted both successful moments and pain points in the flow.
Old Kiosk Flow
5 Key Insights
Lack of context at the start
Users didn’t immediately understand what the kiosk did. There was no clear introduction, label, or welcoming guidance.
Unclear steps and navigation
Key actions like starting a refill or printing a label felt hidden or confusing. Users weren't sure what to do next.
No accessibility support
The interface had no options for language selection, no icons or visual aids, and no built-in help or instructions.
Oversized and unrefined visual design
Lack of user trust or confidence
Without clear feedback or visual cues, users hesitated or second-guessed their actions, especially when interacting with physical components like bottles or printers.
How might we design a refill experience that is simple, intuitive, and inviting enough for anyone to use with confidence?
Fixing the flow that frustrated users
User Journey Mapping
We knew that the user journey would make or break the kiosk experience. From our research, it was clear that users quickly became confused or disinterested if the steps weren’t obvious.
Working closely with stakeholders and drawing from our user data, we iterated through multiple flows to shape one that felt both efficient and easy to follow. Two moments stood out as critical:
Guiding users through the physical act of placing and refilling their container
Providing reassurance through the payment and label-printing process
