Helping pet caregivers stay connected for better health tracking

Herd is an app designed specifically for pet care management, communication and connection, providing dedicated features tailored to the unique needs of pet-owners and carers.

Area

UX/UI - Mobile App

Area

UX/UI - Mobile App

Area

UX/UI - Mobile App

Position

Principal Designer

Position

Principal Designer

Position

Principal Designer

Project Length

4 Months

Project Length

4 Months

Project Length

4 Months

Background


Current man-missions to space are within Low Earth Orbit (LEO), such as to the International Space Station (ISS). A medical kit aboard the ISS is used to manage general health & emergencies. This project focuses on how might we improve the kit usage for longer missions.

Research


The current pain points within the user journey were identified within the medical kit aboard the ISS. Primary and secondary researching including an interview with Dr Virginia Wotring, who worked with the first NASA pharmacist.

PAIN POINT: O1

A separate booklet is used to find the location of medication.

Pets are often considered as a member of the family.

PAIN POINT: O2

Medications are wrapped in individual 'Ziploc' bags, generating waste.

Pet owners seek advice and support outside of vet visits.

Pet owners seek advice and support outside of vet visits.

PAIN POINT: O3

Opening a bag in microgravity risks spilling of medication.

PAIN POINT : O4

Kit becomes unorganized after prolonged, repeated usage.

Pet owners want to manage their pets health efficiently.

PAIN POINT : O5

No protection from radiation or light causing medication to loose potency.

Pet owners want to manage their pets health efficiently.

'How Might We…?' Statement.

How might we prepare and protect medicine from the environmental conditions in space whilst maintaining a seamless user experience for astronauts?

Development


Three areas were discovered to be important to include in the development of the design. This key features include microgravity accessibility, medication organization and radiation protection.

3D printed models of concepts was key to investigate their feasibility and better evaluate the viability of concepts. Testing prototypes helped understand how a user would handle a product, and how the medicine can be dispensed into someones hand.

3D Printed Model & Storyboards


Storyboards of both devices demonstrate how each would be loaded up and used.

Final 3D Renders


What could be next for this project?

Adjusting the devices for private space flights with the upcoming commercialization of space.

Full app prototype which allows users to order their personalized medication reels for their "flight".

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