Product & Design Leadership | Human-Centred Experiences | AI Strategy
Breezie 2015 - 2016
Designing the 'the internet made easy' for the elderly and digitally disenfranchised
The Concept
Breezie is 'the internet made easy'. It aims to provide a simple solution to navigating the internet for elderly and digitally disenfranchised users. It is a product of 2 parts: The Device - a system level application preinstalled and personalised on a Samsung tablet; and The Hub - a remote access online tool that allows a 3rd party to remotely access and manage the device.
Role
I was hired as Head of UX and design to:
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Coordinate and conduct the research to define the objectives of the redesign of The Hub and The Device
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Manage the individual UX designers delivering the design solution for The Hub and The Device
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Manage the Visual designer delivering the visual redesign of The Device
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Hire and manage a growing design team. While I was there we increased the team from 1 visual designer to 2xVDs and 3 UX designers
User Testing at Barchester Care Home
Defining the problem
In order to understand the user and business needs for the product, my team and I undertook the an initial definition phase, incorporating competitor analysis and an heuristic evaluation of the existing product. We conducted user testing of existing products along with user interviews. I researched the specific physical and cognitive challenges elderly people face when using the internet. I also conducted internal team reviews and reviewed the quantitive analytic data.
Planning and scope definition
Our research pointed to the need for a complete overhaul of the products.
We wrote personas and user stories to help us collate the projects into key themes. I then worked with the client to prioritise the workload and define the road map for delivery within the limited timeframe.
“Elderly users have a tendency to be more easily disorientated. Strong sign-posting and clear orientation are more important than a reduced click through”
Prioritisation workshop
User experience design
Focusing on key user requirements and journeys, I defined the new taxonomy and core information architecture for the device. Working initially collaboratively with stakeholders on rough whiteboard sketches, I then converted these into site maps and wireframes.
Sketching Wireframes and sitemapping
Interface Design
Interface designs were drawn up as high fidelity wireframes, marked up with build and interaction design specifications for the developers. We had to be very rigid in the layouts to account for diminished targeting skills, hand tremor and slower cognitive processing. We continued to user test throughout the design process, having established relationships with care homes and community groups local to the business.
Annotated Interface and Interaction Design Document
Visual Design
Based on a clearer understanding of the specific visual and physical requirements for elderly users I led the visual redesign of the product to be applied to the device. Considerations we had to take into account included that as we age colour perception diminishes as does our perception of contrast, and font legibility is key – high x-heights and san serif are required. Most of all we needed to be warm and welcoming.
Screens from the Visual Design Guidelines Document
Build
The design and development teams worked side by side and collaboratively in an agile methodology. The annotated wireframe docs were complimented with interactive prototypes for more complex interactions.
Challenges
Apart from the very specific design requirements for an aging user base, I was faced with challenging the wider development team to change their existing product development process and dynamic.
Screen grabs of the final product
End result
The initial phase of new Breezie was launched in the US in November 2015. I left the company having fully formulated the design solution and defined the design roadmap for Q1 and Q2 2016.
Breezie 2 has been embraced successfully in the care home market in the US and continues to grow there. The company hopes to launch Breezie in the UK market this year.
In January 2016 Breezie won Bronze in the Digital Services division of the Aging Awards.
In February 2016 Samsung announced a program to pilot a project in partnership with Breezie.
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