My friend and I spent a week participating in Adobe’s Creative Jam X Amazon Ring designathon to research and design an accessible app for elderly users living at home alone. Out of 130 teams, we placed within the top 10 finalists.
I was responsible for visual design and prototyping, along with research.

I researched common friction points elderly users face with technology– visual impairment, memory, manual dexterity, mobility. I also found that elderly people in the US tend to live alone, compared to other places in the world.

I referenced Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in order to figure out how to best meet industry standards (e.g. limited interactions, higher error tolerance, readability, etc.). Also, I experimented a lot with color contrast. While the base minimum contrast ratio is 3:1 (A), we excelled with a 7:1 contrast ratio (AAA).

Beacon, an app, that helps elderly people living alone in their daily routine–
Customizable text size, color, contrast, and other elements. Consolidates users' smart devices into a single space. Notifies close-one's + other assigned POC's in emergency. Removes friction with memory loss by scheduling routine tasks.

I aimed to focus in on onboarding so that from the get-go users could match the quality of the app's experience to personal needs and preferences. Each step includes a "Confirm > Undo or Next" CTA to make sure the app feels forgiving + leaves room for error.

Added option for toggling enhanced color contrast as well as a toggle for reduced animations for a more seizure safe interface.

Simple text cues such as, “get close as possible to [the device’s] location,” walk new users along the process.

For memory loss, we wanted the app to get familiarized with how users routinely use their devices to guide them throughout their day.

And for safety, the last step prompts users to add contacts. These individuals, ideally, know the user best and can access controls. In the case of an emergency, they will also be notified right away.

In terms of mobility, my partner created an isometric illustration serving as a mock layout of all device locations according to where they were connected.
I prototyped how the app displays interactions, such as turning on a light in a bedroom, so users don’t have to get up and move around just to check. Controls can be triggered via tap as well as voice commands. The app also plays a speech playback to confirm the interaction completion.

Knowing that elderly people live alone, we wanted to make sure the app could keep accountability through the set routines.
For example, if a user fell and were unable to get up, they might skip past their routine signaling that something went wrong. Emergency contacts would know right away and can proceed accordingly. For false alarms, users can tap “Let them know I’m okay”, as shown.

This project was huge learning opportunity– exploring a topic I had long been interested in, getting the opportunity to present on Adobe's livestream, and balancing the role of designer + researcher.
If given the chance to revisit this project, I would seek to flush out the app further to incentivize more regular usage. I would also have more options for routine input, so that the app can function more as a helping-hand.