The problem
For children with diabetes, navigating life can be complicated, confusing and scary. The design opportunity I identified stemmed from observing the challenges children with diabetes face in managing their condition effectively, while maintaining a sense of normalcy and fun in their lives.
Extensive research into pediatric diabetes management revealed a gap in engaging tools that empower children to actively participate in their own health management. There are little to no products on the market that aim to engage children in this. Recognizing the importance of fostering a positive relationship between children and their health, my goal was to merge education and health management with entertainment.
My solution
The "Sugar Scouts" product range aims to give children with diabetes autonomy over their health. My final solution was to bring this together in a character called SU SU to make the learning process of their own diabetes management more enjoyable. Providing children with a watch and characterized product set enables continuous and engaged learning of how to manage their complex health condition independently from a young age and aids them in developing an better understanding of their condition, the design seeks to alleviate the anxiety often associated with diabetes treatment and instill a sense of autonomy and confidence in young patients.
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This is SuSu, the sugar scouts mascot and the character that comes to life in this product. SuSu can easily be customized by the child - from the colours they choose for the body (which acts as a charging station) to the outfit that they choose to add to their watch face which charges on the front.
Here you can see SuSu wearing a pink and blue outfit on the watch face, which magnetically connects for a wireless charge (super easy and child friendly). The glucose monitor slots into the charging dock to add the face and provide night time readings when the watch is charging.
The tapping foot - The tapping foot of the SuSu character came from childhood diabetes signs and symptoms, restless legs and diabetic neuropathy (numbness) aiming to act as a nudge for awareness. This also acts as a nightlight - making it really easy to find SuSu when you need to take readings in the night or when the child is just a little bit scared of the dark. All of these features aim to normalize diabetes care, rather than presenting it as a negative aspect of a child's life it becomes fun, engaging and as normal as a night light.
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SuSu being used to perform a blood glucose reading via finger prick.
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The watch that the child wears features an emergency alert symbol on the watch strap and contains emergency protocols (such as calling parents/carers when levels are critically low). The watch also automatically alerts the child when their levels are low or high and shows them a picture of what steps they should take to bring their levels back into range. This gives children more control over their care and also ensures that they are not dependent on a carer being present, this is especially beneficial in schools or fun events that children with diabetes may miss out on, such as sleepovers for fear that their diabetes care wont be taken seriously.
Key Skills evidenced
Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Illustrator - Adobe In design - 3D modelling - Mock ups - User centered research strategy - Project management.