Booga

A CHATBOT FOR CAREGIVERS

user research, concept + documentation, user flow, interface + visual design, UI, UX

CHALLENGE

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To advance the health and improve the lives of family caregivers by creating technological tools through the spirit of friendly competition.

SOLUTION

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An empathetic assistant for caregivers.

 

Assessed from phone are: sleep patterns, steps, and location.

 

Given to Booga by user: name, feelings, and more through conversation with Booga Chat, Photos and Videos, and how often caregiver uses app and replies.

OPPORTUNITY

 

To use a proactive virtual companion to combat loneliness, to support the caregiver along their path.

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USER PERSONA
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Tom, 26

Married

2 Daughters

6 Grandchildren

Owns his own company

Likes to travel

Has a sense of humor

market​:

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  • 40 million caregivers (U.S.)

  • diverse - culture, health, generational

  • time (6 billion hours PER YEAR)

  • aging tsunami

users:

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  • simple to use

  • educational

  • proactive

business​:

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  • headspace wellness app

  • facebook

  • tom - our caregiver

  • meetups

  • AARP social networks

  • art 180 - art therapy

  • voicing elder

  • future importance for education

design:

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  •  AI

  • wide facebook adaption

  • interactivity

  • low cost video

  • visible to user - accessibility

  • higher rates of tech adoption

  • blogs

“I sense she feels the same emotions I feel when I stroke her hair, kiss her forehead, or whisper, “I love you, mom.” … but now [that] is accompanied by the unbearable feeling of aloneness that has taken up permanent residence down deep in my heart.”

Tom, caregiver

USER JOURNEY

PROTOTYPE​

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Provides reminders for the caregiver’s doctor appointment and other daily tasks. In the future, our team hopes to further develop Booga to address the additional emotional needs of the caregiver.

SKETCHES

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a low fidelity expof how the app would run from the home screen of your smartphone

DISCOVERY

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Speaking with the caregivers at the competition was informative and emotional. After listening to their experiences and researching facts about caregivers, we decided the best way to help them was to become their advocate. We learned that '40 percent of caregivers report high burden. On average, caregivers spend 24.4 hours a week providing care to their loved one.' - Caregiving in the U.S. (2015) AARP Public Policy Institute.

TEAM

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Jessica Lee - VCU School of Occupational Therapy

Brianna Ondris - VCU Arts - Kinetic Imaging

Jyness Williams - VCU School of Pharmacology

Zachary Vono - Experience Designer, VCU Brandcenter

ROLE

 

user research

documentation

visual design / branding

prototypes

PRESS