Design Process: Version 1.0 to Version 7.0
Our design process was driven primarily by stages of iteration. Working with our client,
Clickhealth.com, the team’s goals were to create an interactive website that promoted asthma
self-care for children ages 8-14. The site design, content and story were extensions of a popular
video game, Bronkie, which is available for use in the home, in hospitals and doctor’s offices in an
effort to engage children in learning about asthma self-care. This website was version 1.0.
Mid-development, the client pulled out of the project due to lack of funds. The team was now
faced with developing its own concept for an asthma self-care product. This break from the client
was in fact the catalyst behind a highly iterative design process that saw several variations of the
product. Guided by the principles of user-centered design and learning theory, the team
developed a strategy for a new design. Additionally, two members of the team were life-long
suffers of asthma. They acted as participatory designers, providing experience and knowledge
about asthma self-care from their own experiences throughout the entire process.
Technology proved an integral component for team communication and production, utilizing such
vehicles as shared postings on eGroups, MS Word edit tracking and electronic mail. A detailed
explanation of each step of our design process from Bronkie 1.0 to Beating Your Asthma 7.0, is
below.
Initial Bronkie Meeting
At the initial meeting, the design team was introduced to the Bronkie game and Clickhealth.com.
We discussed the project proposal and decided on a regular weekly meeting time. The learning
problem and educational goals of our site already in hand, the team divided into research teams
to get a better understanding of our audience and users.
Initial research groups:
Kids and games
Kids and the web
Kids and health
Project Proposal Submitted
Over a three-day period, the team produced the project proposal over email, using MS Word
tracking. The final proposal was submitted to both Clickhealth.com and Chris H.
Group Meeting with ClickHealth.com
During our second group meeting and first design meeting, the team met with client Alan Miller,
CEO of Clickhealth.com. In this meeting we set priorities for the website, further defined our
learning goals for the site, and discussed our research. To inform our user-centered design, the
team played the Bronkie game, getting a clear concept of how the learning theories were
embedded in the story and how the website could augment that experience. The team also
reported the subgroup web research.
Hospital Visit
Needs Analysis/User study (link): In order to see the children play the Bronkie game in an
authentic environment, team members conducted an observation in the waiting room of the
Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. We focused on child to child interaction with the game, solo
child game interaction, parent-child interaction and the overall context of the doctor’s office
activity.
First Website Site Map Created
http://www.stanford.edu/~johnwong/bronkie_site/home.htm. (link) The first prototype of the value
added Bronkie website is created.
Interview with Dr. Daisy
Link to document. (link) As part of our needs analysis, the team interviewed an allergist for
information on how she typically worked with young asthma patients to promote self-care. The
interview also informed us about what suggestions she would make to parents about their role in
supporting their child with regards to the home, family activities, athletic options for the child and
emotional needs of the child, such as helping them to live a normal life.
Team Breaks Into Three Groups
To determine preference for the website deliverable, the team decides to include parental support
as part of the content and scope for asthma self care strategy for the website. Team breaks into
three subgroups: parents supporting kids, the game, self-management. Each group defined
learning goals, design goals and user test ideas with regards to specific subgroup focus.
Research the Child Online Protection Act to address the privacy issues.
Clickhealth.com Internship Cancelled
The team takes a blow…..go to challenges.
Design Brainstorm: Concept, Context, Process
The design team begins the next generation of the independent product by reexamining the
content, context and process given the new parameters. Each subgroup defined concept,
context and process for its focus area. See what drove our design. (link to ccp on learning goals)
Design Meeting: CD or Website
In response to the many design challenges such as the need for a new game, new product name,
new characters, metaphor and so forth (link to design challenges), the team raised the issue of
shifting our product medium from web or CD-ROM. After discussion, the team agreed on the CD-
ROM concept because it provided more freedom for design and better addressed our learning
goals.
Audience Feedback
Expanding on audience feedback in class, the addition of a handheld device was discussed. The
team agreed that it was a good idea because it addressed several of our design issues including,
encouraging the use of the software, syncing data, parental involvement, easy incorporation of
digital pet and mobility for a young, active user. Also, concerns about children using handheld
devices and lack of cohesive story were brought to light.
Design Review with Chris
New design document produced. (link to design document BYA6.doc) MS Word tracking online
over email. Process issue needs more development.
Town Concept Created
Separate groups arrived at the similar game concept of a town and racetrack adventure. (link to
sketches)
Artifact Activity
(link to photos). Team comes together for a big design session to synergize our three subgroups.
With the overarching goal of storyboarding the entire product, the team participated in an artifact
activity, in order to facilitate better communication of our ideas. As a result, it was decided that the
game would either be a racetrack adventure or a 3-D world town such as the SIMS game. Two
separate groups met later to further develop the final concept of the game and the self
management tool.
Epiphany #1
To address the issue of motivation and student engagement, four members of the Team created
the game to include the story of the trigger monster and knowledge point system. In addition we
incorporated the digital pet and self-management tool into the game concept…or so we thought.
(link to photo)
Epiphany #2
Two team members expanded on the self-management tool, developing an exercise plan for the
user. In doing so, they realized there was a disconnect between the story and the self-
management tool. (link to challenge of synergy)
Asthma Western Town Created
After a brief shootout, no blood was shed and the Team developed a cohesive story that pulled all
of the elements of the previous epiphanies together. The asthma western town, Small Town, was
founded. The story was adapted to the western theme and the self-management tool was
incorporated seamlessly. (link to Mel's storyboarding)
User Test
(Link to user study) Using the "quick and dirty" prototype of the asthma town game and explaining
the peak flow tool concept, two team members conducted a user test with a 13 year-old asthma
patient and her mother. This informed our design with regards to features and allowed us to move
into the production stage.
Production
(link to heidi's document) The team delegated tasks for the production of our Beating Your
Asthma kit. Please see credits for individual work.