Figma Prototype: BabySafe
Capstone Project Overview: BabySafe
For my final year capstone project, I chose to revisit and build on a past design project, MommyMed, with the aim of further developing and enhancing its potential. This decision stemmed from my desire to transform the project into a tangible mobile application prototype that could one day provide real-world benefits.
Problem Statement
Research showed that many pregnant and lactating women lacked reliable, accessible information regarding the safety of medications. Only 55% of pregnant women reported receiving adequate advice about medication safety (Ceulemans et al., 2020), while 60% expressed doubts about over-the-counter medications (Mitchell et al., 2011). This widespread knowledge gap could lead to unsafe decisions and risks for both mother and infant.
The complexity of finding accurate information, often scattered across various platforms, led many to consult unverified sources. Additionally, healthcare providers, including doctors and pharmacists, often had limited time to offer detailed counselling on medication safety, leaving women with incomplete or unclear advice (Whitfield, 2017; Grzeskowiak, 2015).
Methodology
I employed a mixed-methods approach to research, including surveys and interviews with healthcare providers, such as midwives, doctors, and pharmacists. These insights informed the design of an intuitive mobile application that consolidated evidence-based medication safety information tailored to pregnant and lactating women.
Through iterative design and usability testing, the app was fine-tuned based on feedback from target users. In addition to the app, an educational campaign raised awareness among both users and healthcare providers, emphasising the importance of safe medication use.
Outcomes
The primary goal was to develop a reliable, accessible mobile application that served as a centralized resource for medication safety. By empowering women with accurate information, the project sought to reduce reliance on conflicting sources and promote safer practices. In the long term, this project aimed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by mitigating medication-related risks.
Recognition: People's Choice Award
The project, titled BabySafe, received the People's Choice Award at the 2024 QUT Design Festival. This award recognised me as an emerging designer in interaction design, as voted for by the public. The accolade highlights the value of the project in addressing a significant societal issue and its potential to create meaningful change. Winning this award was a testament to the innovative approach and user-centered design of BabySafe, and it further reinforced my commitment to developing solutions that positively impact maternal and infant health.
