Meds label
This project originated from a conversation with my sister, a Family Medicine Doctor at Bang Nam Priao Hospital. She shared her concern about an elderly patient who, was living alone, mistakenly took the wrong dosage of medication and nearly didn’t make it to the hospital in time. This incident shed light on a critical, widespread issue: many elderly and illiterate individuals face difficulties understanding medication instructions, which can lead to serious health risks both locally and globally.
Deliverable:
Printing
Service:
Research, Usability Test
Tool:
Figma, Adobe Creative Suite
When:
Designed in 2020
CHALLENGE
Elderly Patients: Faced visibility and memory loss issues, increasing the risk of incorrect dosage.
Illiterate Patients: Relied solely on memory to take medication, further complicating safe usage.
CONTRIBUTIONS
[Sole designer]
Responsible for the entire process; conducting user research, analysing findings, usability testing, and coordinating with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. My role ensured the design addressed user needs through iterative improvements based on real-world testing.
work Process
User Research
I started by mapping the prescription workflow at a health centre through a Design Sprint Map and conducted on-site field research and User Interviewing.
User Journey & Blueprint
Drug Usage
Documented all prescribed medication dosages used at the health centre to ensure designs addressed a wide range of prescriptions and dosing requirements.
Personas
PATIENT PROFILES: Mostly farmers and Factory workers
Ages 30–40: Literate, good eyesight and memory, often busy with work, frequently travelling.
Ages 40–60: Mostly literate, fair eyesight and memory, often caregivers for elderly family members.
Ages 60–90: Largely illiterate, impaired eyesight and hearing, varying levels of independence.
Key Obsercations
Active elderly who manage their own care.
Senile patients, either cared for by family or living independently.
Design Process
Following research, I compiled insights into how elderly patients perceive labels; accounting for blurry vision and reliance on visual aids. I designed label variations addressing these challenges, focusing on clarity and simplicity.
Usability Testing
I conducted 4rounds of usability tests with over 50 patients, including elderly and illiterate individuals. Each participant provided feedback on the labels, which was then used to refine designs. Tests were tailored to capture:
Age, gender, and family context.
Initial interpretation and understanding of label content.
After each round, I iteratively adjusted designs, ensuring the final version improved accessibility and comprehension. Tests also involved consultation with doctors to validate changes.
First Round
Second Round
Third Round
Fourth Round
Final Design
The final design incorporated high-contrast elements and greyscale shading to accommodate printer limitations, ensuring clarity without colour dependency. The label was shared with doctors at multiple hospitals to extend its potential impact.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Production constraints shaped the design process. Initial research and a Colour Testing Interview explored user associations with colours for different times of day. Field testing later revealed the printer supported only black-and-white, prompting adjustments for clarity without colour reliance.
Communication Techniques: Effective interviews and usability testing required tailoring language to match participants’ understanding.
User-Centred Approach: Recognising the needs of primary (patients) and secondary (caregivers) users guided the design towards practical, real-world applications.
Iterative Improvements: Frequent usability testing and redesign cycles ensured the solution was informed by user feedback, improving clarity and usability.