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Patient safety

Pillendar

Helping take your medications correctly, every time.

Industry

Patient safety

Gig economy

Deliverable

Smart Pillbox, Companion application

smart pillbox with companion application

Team

Group Project, 1 Graphic Designer, 1 UX Designer, 1 Industrial Designer

Group project of 3 UX Designers, 1 Graphic Designer

Timeline

Feb - Apr 2024

Oct 23 - Nov 23

Challenges an Goals

Each year, 125,000 people die from incorrect medication use, costing over $100 billion. About 50% of patients don't follow prescriptions due to factors like inconvenient management, lack of reminders, and risk of cross-reactions. This leads to cargivers stress

This project Pillendar aims to improve adherence and prevent medication errors by making the medication state clear at a reduce manual entry errors, and support timely caregiver escalation.

I was involved in

Research and Ideation
User flows and IA
wireframes,
hi-fi design
prototype

Challenges an Goals

This project Pillendar aims to improve adherence and prevent medication errors by making the medication state clear at a reduce manual entry errors, and support timely caregiver escalation.

I was involved in

Research and Ideation
User flows and IA
wireframes,
hi-fi design
prototype

Challenges an Goals

This project Pillendar aims to improve adherence and prevent medication errors by making the medication state clear at a reduce manual entry errors, and support timely caregiver escalation.

I was involved in

Research and Ideation
User flows and IA
wireframes,
hi-fi design
prototype

Challenges an Goals

This project Pillendar aims to improve adherence and prevent medication errors by making the medication state clear at a reduce manual entry errors, and support timely caregiver escalation.

I was involved in

Research and Ideation
User flows and IA
wireframes,
hi-fi design
prototype

User Journey

Process

Research and problem identification

Stakeholder map

Primary and Secondary research

Personas

User flow and User Journey

Insight flow charts and affinity mapping

Ideation and Design

Initial concept sketching

low and high fidelity prototyping

Hueristic evaluation

Where Users Struggle

Forgetfulness
Running out of medicine
Error in putting in medicine information
Pills combination side effects
Away from home
“I can’t remember my meds” moment in clinics.

Forgetfulness
Running out of medicine
Error in putting in medicine information
Pills combination side effects
Away from home
“I can’t remember my meds” moment in clinics.

Forgetfulness
Running out of medicine
Error in putting in medicine information
Pills combination side effects
Away from home
“I can’t remember my meds” moment in clinics.

Forgetfulness
Running out of medicine
Error in putting in medicine information
Pills combination side effects
Away from home
“I can’t remember my meds” moment in clinics.

What we offer

App and pillbox reminder
Medicine tracking and refill reminders
Incorporated Pharmacy pill-specific QR code
Side effects education
Portable mode
Medication summary for visists

App and pillbox reminder
Medicine tracking and refill reminders
Incorporated Pharmacy pill-specific QR code
Side effects education
Portable mode
Medication summary for visists

App and pillbox reminder
Medicine tracking and refill reminders
Incorporated Pharmacy pill-specific QR code
Side effects education
Portable mode
Medication summary for visists

App and pillbox reminder
Medicine tracking and refill reminders
Incorporated Pharmacy pill-specific QR code
Side effects education
Portable mode
Medication summary for visists

User Personas

JANE

24 Years old - College Student

A college student who love to engage in different event & activities

I’m sprinting between classes, show me exactly what to take, fast, without bottles.

Context:

Tight class blocks, labs, libraries where audio alerts aren’t practical

Context:

Tight class blocks, labs, libraries where audio alerts aren’t practical

Context:

Tight class blocks, labs, libraries where audio alerts aren’t practical

Medication Routine:

Multiple pills with strict times and specific instructions

Medication Routine:

Multiple pills with strict times and specific instructions

Medication Routine:

Multiple pills with strict times and specific instructions

Pain Points:

Carrying multiple vials
Forgets instructions
Misses doses during long classes

Pain Points:

Carrying multiple vials
Forgets instructions
Misses doses during long classes

Pain Points:

Carrying multiple vials
Forgets instructions
Misses doses during long classes

Goals:

Travel light
See what pill is due now fast
Keep instructions at a glance

Goals:

Travel light
See what pill is due now fast
Keep instructions at a glance

Goals:

Travel light
See what pill is due now fast
Keep instructions at a glance

Alex

38 Years old - Traveling Salesman

A busy businessman who travel a lots and have hearing

On the road, I need quiet, visual reminders and a pre-sorted pack, no hunting for bottles in my carry-on.

Context:

Airports, hotels, time-zone changes, meetings; phone often on silent/Do Not Disturb

Context:

Airports, hotels, time-zone changes, meetings; phone often on silent/Do Not Disturb

Context:

Airports, hotels, time-zone changes, meetings; phone often on silent/Do Not Disturb

Medication Routine:

Multiple daily meds with strict timing

Medication Routine:

Multiple daily meds with strict timing

Medication Routine:

Multiple daily meds with strict timing

Pain Points:

Forgets to pack all meds
Misses audio-only reminders
Time-zone confusion

Pain Points:

Forgets to pack all meds
Misses audio-only reminders
Time-zone confusion

Pain Points:

Forgets to pack all meds
Misses audio-only reminders
Time-zone confusion

Goals:

Pack correctly for the trip
Never miss a reminder
Stay on schedule across zones.

Goals:

Pack correctly for the trip
Never miss a reminder
Stay on schedule across zones.

Goals:

Pack correctly for the trip
Never miss a reminder
Stay on schedule across zones.

User Personas

JANE

24 Years old - College Student

A college student who love to engage in different event & activities

I’m sprinting between classes, show me exactly what to take, fast, without bottles.

Context:

Tight class blocks, labs, libraries where audio alerts aren’t practical

Context:

Tight class blocks, labs, libraries where audio alerts aren’t practical

Medication Routine:

Multiple pills with strict times and specific instructions

Medication Routine:

Multiple pills with strict times and specific instructions

Pain Points:

Carrying multiple vials
Forgets instructions
Misses doses during long classes

Pain Points:

Carrying multiple vials
Forgets instructions
Misses doses during long classes

Goals:

Travel light
See what pill is due now fast
Keep instructions at a glance

Goals:

Travel light
See what pill is due now fast
Keep instructions at a glance

Alex

38 Years old - Traveling Salesman

A busy businessman who travel a lots and have hearing

On the road, I need quiet, visual reminders and a pre-sorted pack, no hunting for bottles in my carry-on.

Context:

Airports, hotels, time-zone changes, meetings; phone often on silent/Do Not Disturb

Context:

Airports, hotels, time-zone changes, meetings; phone often on silent/Do Not Disturb

Medication Routine:

Multiple daily meds with strict timing

Medication Routine:

Multiple daily meds with strict timing

Pain Points:

Forgets to pack all meds
Misses audio-only reminders
Time-zone confusion

Pain Points:

Forgets to pack all meds
Misses audio-only reminders
Time-zone confusion

Goals:

Pack correctly for the trip
Never miss a reminder
Stay on schedule across zones.

Goals:

Pack correctly for the trip
Never miss a reminder
Stay on schedule across zones.

Application Features

Medication and home page

Users can easily manage their medication from these pages. They can check their record, import new medication schedule, and personalize the experience.

Mistakes with medicine taking!

Manually entering or remembering medication schedules, instruction, side effects, and reasons are time-consuming, and keeping track of specific details for multiple prescriptions increases the risk of errors, leading to missed or incorrect doses and unexpected side effects.

Automated Medication Schedule Import

QR Code Scanning: Users can scan a pharmacy-provided QR code to automatically transfer medication details—such as name, form, reason, regularity, duration, and description—into the app.

Simplified Management: This feature avoids errors, eliminates manual entry, and ensures accurate, up-to-date medicine reminders with a quick scan.
Manual Import: If the QR code is missing, users can manually import the medication details.

QR Code Scanning: Users can scan a pharmacy-provided QR code to automatically transfer medication details—such as name, form, reason, regularity, duration, and description—into the app.

Simplified Management: This feature avoids errors, eliminates manual entry, and ensures accurate, up-to-date medicine reminders with a quick scan.
Manual Import: If the QR code is missing, users can manually import the medication details.

QR Code Scanning: Users can scan a pharmacy-provided QR code to automatically transfer medication details—such as name, form, reason, regularity, duration, and description—into the app.

Simplified Management: This feature avoids errors, eliminates manual entry, and ensures accurate, up-to-date medicine reminders with a quick scan.
Manual Import: If the QR code is missing, users can manually import the medication details.

QR Code Scanning: Users can scan a pharmacy-provided QR code to automatically transfer medication details—such as name, form, reason, regularity, duration, and description—into the app.

Simplified Management: This feature avoids errors, eliminates manual entry, and ensures accurate, up-to-date medicine reminders with a quick scan.
Manual Import: If the QR code is missing, users can manually import the medication details.

Long text-based reminders!

Text-based reminders can be frustrating when they display long medication names, making it difficult to identify the correct pill among others. This can lead to confusion and missed doses.

Personalized Pill Identification & Alerts

Customization: Users can tailor their medication alerts by selecting icon shapes, colors, nicknames, and alert modes for taking pills and refilling the pillbox.

Pillbox filling: A visual map of the pillbox compartments assists users in correctly filling the pillbox with new pills.

Customization: Users can tailor their medication alerts by selecting icon shapes, colors, nicknames, and alert modes for taking pills and refilling the pillbox.

Pillbox filling: A visual map of the pillbox compartments assists users in correctly filling the pillbox with new pills.

Customization: Users can tailor their medication alerts by selecting icon shapes, colors, nicknames, and alert modes for taking pills and refilling the pillbox.

Pillbox filling: A visual map of the pillbox compartments assists users in correctly filling the pillbox with new pills.

Customization: Users can tailor their medication alerts by selecting icon shapes, colors, nicknames, and alert modes for taking pills and refilling the pillbox.

Pillbox filling: A visual map of the pillbox compartments assists users in correctly filling the pillbox with new pills.

Medication Memory Gap!

Elderly patients often forget to take their medications, even with reminders and without a direct prompt from caregivers, notifications alone may not ensure adherence.

Additionally, Health contacts and appointment details are spread across different platforms.

Elderly patients often forget to take their medications, even with reminders and without a direct prompt from caregivers, notifications alone may not ensure adherence.

Additionally, Health contacts and appointment details are spread across different platforms.

Elderly patients often forget to take their medications, even with reminders and without a direct prompt from caregivers, notifications alone may not ensure adherence.

Additionally, Health contacts and appointment details are spread across different platforms.

Elderly patients often forget to take their medications, even with reminders and without a direct prompt from caregivers, notifications alone may not ensure adherence.

Additionally, Health contacts and appointment details are spread across different platforms.

Integrated Care Support

Multi-layered Reminders: The app leverages pillbox weight sensors to detect missed doses and immediately notifies both patients and their caregivers. Within the contact section, caregivers can send texts and messages to remind patients to take their medication.

AI-Powered Assistance: An AI assistant actively reaches out to users with personalized reminders and can answer medication-related questions.
Enhanced Communication: Users can chat directly with their medical contacts, and the system provides easy access to doctors’ information for appointment scheduling and follow-ups.

Multi-layered Reminders: The app leverages pillbox weight sensors to detect missed doses and immediately notifies both patients and their caregivers. Within the contact section, caregivers can send texts and messages to remind patients to take their medication.

AI-Powered Assistance: An AI assistant actively reaches out to users with personalized reminders and can answer medication-related questions.
Enhanced Communication: Users can chat directly with their medical contacts, and the system provides easy access to doctors’ information for appointment scheduling and follow-ups.

Multi-layered Reminders: The app leverages pillbox weight sensors to detect missed doses and immediately notifies both patients and their caregivers. Within the contact section, caregivers can send texts and messages to remind patients to take their medication.

AI-Powered Assistance: An AI assistant actively reaches out to users with personalized reminders and can answer medication-related questions.
Enhanced Communication: Users can chat directly with their medical contacts, and the system provides easy access to doctors’ information for appointment scheduling and follow-ups.

Multi-layered Reminders: The app leverages pillbox weight sensors to detect missed doses and immediately notifies both patients and their caregivers. Within the contact section, caregivers can send texts and messages to remind patients to take their medication.

AI-Powered Assistance: An AI assistant actively reaches out to users with personalized reminders and can answer medication-related questions.
Enhanced Communication: Users can chat directly with their medical contacts, and the system provides easy access to doctors’ information for appointment scheduling and follow-ups.

Smart Pillbox Dashboard

Dedicated Pillbox Tab: Connected to the app via Bluetooth.

Calendar View: Displays visual cues for missed, taken, and upcoming pills.
Refilling Schedule: Shows the refill timeline for each pill in your regime.

Dedicated Pillbox Tab: Connected to the app via Bluetooth.

Calendar View: Displays visual cues for missed, taken, and upcoming pills.
Refilling Schedule: Shows the refill timeline for each pill in your regime.

Dedicated Pillbox Tab: Connected to the app via Bluetooth.

Calendar View: Displays visual cues for missed, taken, and upcoming pills.
Refilling Schedule: Shows the refill timeline for each pill in your regime.

Dedicated Pillbox Tab: Connected to the app via Bluetooth.

Calendar View: Displays visual cues for missed, taken, and upcoming pills.
Refilling Schedule: Shows the refill timeline for each pill in your regime.

Smart Pillbox Dashboard

Dedicated Pillbox Tab: Connected to the app via Bluetooth.

Calendar View: Displays visual cues for missed, taken, and upcoming pills.
Refilling Schedule: Shows the refill timeline for each pill in your regime.

Portable Mode

The application gives clear instruction on how to dissemble and assemble portable mode to suit the users’ needs.

Application Prototype and interactions

Pillbox Features

Re-configurable Design

The pillbox can be easily broken up into individual compartments, making it ideal for travel or daily use

Portable Connectivity

Easily connect multiple containers together for convenient travel, allowing you to take only the required compartments instead of the entire box.

Calendar Integration

The pillbox is designed with costumer's desired time and date (calendar)

Dynamic E-Ink Display

Each container features an e-ink display that changes display to indicate whether pills have been taken, providing visual reassurance at a glance.

Weight Sensor

keep track if the pills are taken accurately.

What I learned

This was a group project, so I got good at aligning scope, splitting work, and keeping one shared direction. I sharpened my information architecture and user-flow skills, got much faster at wireframing and hi-fi prototyping in Figma (Auto Layout, components, variants), and set up a small design system we could all reuse. I wrote clearer microcopy and planned for tricky edge cases—missed doses, refills, offline/BLE sync, and duplicates. Hardware limits (Bluetooth, e-ink refresh, battery) shaped UI choices, which taught me to design with real constraints. We didn't run formal user testing but iterated through heuristic reviews.