Sorted:
Habit Tracker for Prediabetes
The Problem
Research shows a rise in adults at risk for pre-diabetes, but most diabetes apps cater to CGM users, leaving a gap for those who lack access due to cost or prescription but still want tools to manage or reverse their condition.
The Solution
A habit-tracking app for pre-diabetics to manage or reverse their condition through lifestyle changes, focusing on the four key factors affecting blood sugar—diet, exercise, sleep, and stress.
Research
Goal
Identify the key factors in reversing insulin resistance to create a tool that helps prediabetic patients reverse their condition.
Targeting young adults, as NHS data shows type 2 diabetes cases in those under 40 rose from 173,166 in 2022 to 216,440 in 2023.
Methods
I gathered insights through secondary research, including studies, reports, and articles on type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
I also conducted primary research with user interviews and usability tests to evaluate the app's interactivity, functionality, and ease of use.
Key Findings
Through secondary research: The 4 key factors, in order of effectiveness, to reverse prediabetes are nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress.
From usability tests: Users preferred a simple, visually engaging way to track their health, focusing on lifestyle changes rather than just tracking glucose levels.
Design Strategy
Research guided key design decisions for Sorted. I simplified functionality by focusing on 4 areas: diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. A visual plate graphic makes meal logging intuitive, while personalised insights offer actionable, easy-to-understand guidance. The app avoids overwhelming users with complex data, providing bite-sized, motivating steps for lifestyle improvement.
The app’s primary goal is to reverse prediabetes through enjoyable lifestyle changes. I broke this down into actionable goals:
Nutrition, Exercise, and Sleep: Helping users integrate changes into their lives.
Gamification: Small goals, achievements, and daily prompts make tracking fun and easy.
Information Architecture
Each core section—Nutrition, Movement, Sleep, and Mood—prioritises quick, intuitive tracking with tailored insights. By minimising navigation layers and grouping related actions, the IA keeps habit-building straightforward, motivating users to engage consistently without feeling overwhelmed.
Wireframes
To bring this strategy to life, I created initial wireframes that illustrate the user journey. These wireframes allow us to conduct preliminary user studies, better understand user expectations, and determine which information to prioritise.
Option 1:
A donut chart to illustrate progress, similar to the Apple Watch interface, making it immediately familiar to many users.
Option 2 (Preferred by users):
A progress bar with daily prompts to reduce cognitive load, plus a motivational greeting for added interactivity.
Pivot: User Flow Based on Testing and Iteration
After usability testing and feedback on the wireframes, I pivoted the user flow in this case study to focus on the app’s Nutrition feature. Since diet is the most effective factor in improving insulin resistance, highlighting this flow best represents the app’s goal of helping users manage pre-diabetes.
Why I Chose "Single Majority Selection" for Meal Logging Instead of Calorie Tracking:
I chose "Single Majority Selection" to simplify the process and promote consistency. Users select the primary food group in each meal, reducing complexity and encouraging long-term engagement. Research shows that simplified tracking improves behavior change, educates users on balanced nutrition, and the Plate Graphic helps visualize meal composition without complex metrics.
Content Design
Tone of Voice
The app uses a supportive, positive tone, especially since a prediabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming. I aimed to keep users hopeful, understanding that stress can negatively impact their health.
Clear Language
I used clear, direct language to guide users. For example, I changed “Please select the section that represents the majority of your meal” to “Touch and drag the section that represents the majority of your meal” to improve usability.
Educational Content
Quick tips or fun facts when users log meals, such as: "Did you know? Eating more fiber can help manage blood sugar levels!"
Interactive Elements
Gamification through a homepage progress bar tracks achievements and boosts engagement, reinforcing consistency and rewarding progress.
MVP
User Feedback
Users appreciated the progress bar for motivation.
Suggested adding quick, low-cost recipe ideas for meal prep.
Recommended integrating a cute mascot for added motivation.
Leveraging Feedback for Focused Design
Research highlighted the need for simplicity and clarity in meal tracking. This led to the decision to shift away from detailed calorie tracking, opting for a “Single Majority Selection” approach, which helped users engage without feeling overwhelmed.
Key Takeaways
Prioritizing Key Factors for Impact
Research confirmed that diet, exercise, sleep, and stress are the primary factors in managing prediabetes. This insight shaped the app's core features, ensuring the user experience was centered around these elements to effectively support behavior change.
Gamification to Enhance Motivation
User testing highlighted the benefits of gamification in increasing engagement. We introduced features like progress bars and daily prompts to make tracking fun and motivating, while ensuring they didn’t overwhelm users, encouraging long-term use.
Reducing Cognitive Load in Design
Through user feedback and testing, we learned that users preferred a streamlined experience with minimal cognitive load. The design was adjusted to focus on clear, actionable steps for habit-building, prioritizing simplicity and reducing any unnecessary complexity.