CATARACT KIT: INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN PROTOTYPE

SKILLS | Human Centered Design | Information Architecture | Graphic Design | Instructional Design | Community Service |

CLIENT | Academic
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THE CHALLENGE
The procedure for taking eye drops when having cataract surgery done is complicated, and all of the responsibility falls to the patient. Determine a system and create a prototype to simplify the process for patients, while maintaining the integrity and gravity of the process. The solution must include research from instructional design theorists.

THE SOLUTION
I designed a prototype that helps people who have just had cataract surgery. It simplifies the incredibly complicated schedule for taking eye drops both before and after the surgery. 

THE OUTCOME
I created a prototype that is essentially 3-D brochure that encases the three medications in one place, within a schedule that is customizable to each patient’s timetable.
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SKILLS-BASED OUTCOMES

HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN
I designed a solid, structured case to add a sense of import to the process, in order to make sure patients are aware of the seriousness of taking the eye drops. It also makes the process less reliant on the patient being able read, an important point since the surgery blurs vision. The case is also something that doctors could hand to their patients and show them how to use, so that the process is more accessible for patients.

I designed the box to look at home on a kitchen counter (almost like a book or recipe holder), the most likely place for someone to keep their medication, as the schedule closely follows meal times. This means that instead of having to remember to go to a separate room to takes the medication, the patient is reminded to do it when they are in the kitchen preparing meals.

I created a space on the back of the box for doctors to put their business card, so that patients can quickly contact them with questions or in the event of a problem.

For this prototype to be functional, I changed the eye drop dispensation unit from bottle format to single-use vials. This creates a sterile environment, which is safer for the patient.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
I broke down the complicated process by colour and section so that it becomes manageable clusters for the patient to understand.

GRAPHIC DESIGN
I created all sides of the facing for the boxes in illustrator, then colour printed the drawings in sections and then cut and glued them to my custom-built structure.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
I emphasized the colour coding to make the different medications identifiable, and included brief, highlighted tips for taking the medications.

I incorporated learning theorists’ ideas that understanding will take place when a patient is motivated in the correct way, and learning and following directions is made simple.
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PERSONAL INFORMANTS

TRAVEL
My experiences travelling in Europe, for example on overnight trains or ferries where there is not a lot of personal space taught me how people operate when trying to take medications.

FLY TYING
Tying flies has taught me to look at old materials in new ways. I crafted the structure for this prototype from upcycled puzzle boxes and a surprising amount of tape, glue and rubber cement. TIP: do not let rubber cement spill onto hardwood flooring.
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EYE OF THE TIGER
I had trouble sizing the box to be able to access eye drop vials in a convenient way. Several prototypes were made that didn’t work out so well.
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