This presentation show-cases a project completed by Sticky Design Studio for the George Institute of Global Health delivered in May 2013.

1. Case study for CONNECT
for The George Institute of Global Health
Jax Wechsler
http://stickydesignstudio.com.au

2. Project Background
George Institute of Global Health
Sticky Design Studio was commissioned to deliver wire-frames for a mobile application aimed at creating
health related behavior for cardio-vascular disease patients for the George Institute of Global Health.
A user-centred design process was followed involving design research with patients, internal workshops
with George Institute researchers, prototype development and user validation of prototypes.
Persona
Workshop
Desk
Research
Project activities.
Design Strategy
Workshop
Prototype
Design
& Test (w. users)
Research
Specify
& Deliver

3. Design Research / Cultural Probes
Patients completed some diary studies relating to their health behaviour.
Some photographs were taken to document their day. This approach assisted the project team to
gain empathy for the user group and better understand patient’s life contexts. This enabled us to
understand how a mobile health tool could fit into patient’s lives.

4. Design Research / Journey mapping workshops
Journey Maps were co-constructed with cardio-vascular disease patients.
Through this activity, patient experiences and activities could be documented and discussed.
By using these maps as frameworks, patients could easily communicate their previous
experiences and opportunities for the service could be identified.

5. Design Research / Co-Design workshops
Users designed their own application functionality in co-design workshops using ‘feature cards’.
This activity enabled the design team to gain more information about how users would prefer to
interact with different features of the tool.

6. Design Research / Personas
CONNECT PERSONA
CONNECT PERSONA
“My heart attack was a wake-up call. I realised I had to
make some drastic life changes.”
NAME: Femi
NAME: Ian
MARITAL STATUS: Widow
AGE: 53
ENG LITERACY: First language ---- Second language
AGE: 68
ENG LITERACY: First language ---- Second language
RISK: Low ------- Medium ------- High
ETHNICITY: Egyptian
RISK: Low ------- Medium ------- High
ETHNICITY: Australian
JOB: Truck driver
CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN: None
JOB: Retired engineer
CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN: Yes
LIVES (SUBURB, CITY/TOWN): Ainsley, Canberra
SMOKER: Just quit
LIVES (SUBURB, CITY/TOWN): St George, Sydney
SMOKER: In the past
LIVES WITH: Alone
EPISODE
MARITAL STATUS: Divorced
DIGITAL LITERACY: Beginner --- Novice --- Expert
LIVES WITH: Alone
DIGITAL LITERACY: Beginner --- Novice --- Expert
MY STORY
AT RISK
MY STORY
I was born and raised in Egypt. I came to Australia in the 80s. Last year I had a heart attack. It was a stressful
I lost my wife to cancer 1 year ago and have become quite overweight. I have just been diagnosed with Type
HIGH DIGITAL LITERACY
year for me. as I was not looking after myself. I was having chest pains, feeling tired and smoking a lot. I had
HIGH DIGITAL LITERACY
2 diabetes and I am keen to get on top of my health. I have suffered side effects from medication in the past
no idea I was having a heart attack when it happened and I spoke to a friend who suggested I go to hospital.
LOW MOTIVATION
HIGH MOTIVATION
and want to do what I can to live medication free. I want to feel well so that I have the energy and mobility
LOW MOTIVATION
HIGH MOTIVATION
TO MANAGE CVD
TO MANAGE CVD
to play with my grandchildren. My daughter is expecting a son in May and I would like to have the chance to
TO MANAGE CVD
TO MANAGE CVD
I took a cab to hospital which was expensive, but I am glad I did as I passed out there and when I woke up I
was told I had had a heart attack. I needed surgery. When I was discharged, I was given a lot of literature to
read and medication to take. I felt too weak to take care of myself, so I asked my sister and her husband if I
realised I was at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) until my GP raised this with me recently. I want to learn
could stay with them. I stayed for 3 months. I went to a rehab clinic twice, but it was too much trouble to get
there and I had to wait so I stopped going. I have stopped smoking since my heart attack and am trying to live
about CVD risk. nutrition and what I can do to get on top of my health.
LOW DIGITAL LITERACY
LOW DIGITAL LITERACY
healthily but it I have never really done this before so it is not easy.
MY NEEDS
OPPORTUNITIES
MY NEEDS
OPPORTUNITIES
> Getting moral support from family and friends.
> Helping me to understand how I can avoid further heart complications.
> Education about CVD, risk factors, and risk reduction.
> Visualising risk and tracking health data is motivating for Ian.
> Being encouraged to take care of my health.
> Giving me actionable ways to improve my health.
> Access to authoritative and in-depth information.
> Ian wants to understand CVD and how his actions can help to reduce his risk.
> Actionable advice about what I can do to reduce my risk.
> I like gaming on my phone so I would be likely to use an app with a gaming element.
> Tracking capability for my Type 2 diabetes would be great.
> He is intertested in information about medication.
> Support with using technology.
> I want to feel supported.
> Tips on how to improve my CV risk and overall health.
> He likes to keep up to date about health related news and discoveries.
MY HEALTH MOTIVATIONS
MY FRUSTRATIONS
MY HEALTH MOTIVATIONS
MY FRUSTRATIONS
> Free medication and free healthcare.
> Distractions at home, such as TV, which makes me lazy.
> Medication reduction.
> Health advice given by people without technical understanding.
> Prevention of another heart attack.
> I sit a lot for my work and work long hours so I am unmotivated to exercise.
> Maintain / reduce my weight.
> My sister who cooks for me and reminds me to eat healthily.
> Exercising alone can be boring.
> Control my diabetes levels.
> Having to learn about nutrition and how to cook healthy food.
> I want to feel strong, active and healthy again.
> My main social circle drink and smoke so it feels lonely being healthy.
> Feeling well for as along as I can.
> Living alone means I have no one to prompt me into exercise eg. taking a walk.
RELATIONSHIP WITH MY H/CARE PROVIDER
RELATIONSHIP TO TECHNOLOGY
RELATIONSHIP WITH MY H/CARE PROVIDER
RELATIONSHIP TO TECHNOLOGY
In-frequent
All about tests
MOBILE USAGE: “I just got a smart-phone and play games and search google some times.”
Impersonal
Listened to
Matter-of-fact
PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCE MY HEALTH JOURNEY
Family
Gives time
Friendly
PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCE MY HEALTH JOURNEY
SOCIAL
GP
DEVICES USED: iPhone, laptop
Comfortable
DEVICES USED: HTC smart-phone
INFO
TXT/TALK
HEALTH INFO
SOCIAL
APPS (not native)
TECHNOLOGY BARRIERS
Other
eg. clinic
GP
Friends
TXT/TALK
HEALTH INFO
APPS (not native)
TECHNOLOGY BARRIERS
Children
Specialists
INFO
> Too much information online. it can take awhile to work out what is credible.
Specialists
> I prefer to keep in touch with people face-to-face
HOW CONNECT CAN HELP ME: CONNECT can help motivate and support me to be healthier and give me tips
HOW CONNECT CAN HELP ME: CONNECT can help me understand my CV risk and guide and support me to live
on how.
a longer and healthier lifestyle. It can also help motivate me and assist me to manage my Type 2 Diabetes.
Design research was synthesised using a series of personas (i.e. data driven patient profiles).
It was intended that these could be used by the organisation for future design projects aimed
at this user group. These personas informed the design of the mobile application.

7. Design Research / Patient Journey Map
Printed journey maps were used in internal workshops with the client to relay insights, identify
opportunities and co-design features and processes. These maps enabled the organisation to
consider the application as constituting part of a broader continuum for the patient.
CURRENT USER JOURNEY (EPISODE)
Pre-CVD
Episode
Admission
Treatment
JOURNEY PHASES
SMOKING
TIREDNESS
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
OVERWEIGHT
CHEST PAINS
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Info gathering
Discharge
Home
Rehab
Continued Care
GP
LIFESTYLE
CHANGE
To be treated
faster
LITERATURE
Specialist
NO REHAB
I was in denial
of my CV
problems.
INSIGHT
Pharmacist
ADVICE
WARNING SIGNS
In hindsight
I could see
myself as high
risk.
I was still in
denial –
I drove
myself to
hospital;
I took
a cab.
It was like being
in the movies
with lots of
people around
me – I was the
patient in the
scene.
I knew I was
worried as I we
being taken
care of.
I was given
enough
information
and
my treatment,
but I went
and did more
research
at home.
I was left on
my own to
take care of
myself upon
discharge
from
hospital.
I was rested
but I was bored
just watching
TV and
teleshopping.
rehab. It was hard to
get to and I had to wait.
I preferred to do my
own thing, so I took up
going to rehab and
no one called me so I
thought it was OK.
To have a
healthier heart
Family
Friend
Support
NO CHANGE
IN LIFESTYLE
My GP takes care of the
medical side. I have to
take care of my lifestyle
I lack discipline with
my lifestyle diet and
exercise. I like food
and friends moral support
is very important to help
me change and for my
well being.
have time for exercise.
I changed my eating
habits and stopped
smoking because the
episode was scary
experience it again.
ITIES
My wish for the
future of my health
To be healthy
in my old age
REHAB
MEDICATION
Lifestyle management
To be able to
achieve my goals
without pain
or worry
To have any
health problems
be addressed
promptly
To overcome
the need for
medication

8. Prototype & Test
Over a three week period a series of prototypes
were developed with increasing fidelity. These
were tested with patients and refined.
After this prototyping process was complete,
specifications were delivered to inform graphic
design and technical development of the app.
Visual design and development is currently
being completed by a third party IT company.

9. If you need some help with your project
Get in touch!
Jacqueline (Jax) Wechsler
jax@stickydesignstudio.com.au
http://stickydesignstudio.com.au
http://cocreatingchange.com
Mobile: +61 403 895497
Twitter: @jacwex
Skype: jacwex