Enhancing Efficiency in Hair Donations and Wig Distribution through digital
technology
Role
User Experience Designer
Duration
9 weeks (November 2023 to January 2024)
Tools
Figma / Miro / Photoshop
MSc HCI - Academic Project
caring strands
A mobile app to facilitate hair donation and wig purchase for cancer care.
This project was done as a part of Msc Human - computer interaction design project.We were grouped into teams to digitally solve a real world problem.Given theme was"Living well with data". The expected outcome of the project was not a finished product but to find a proper solution for a real world problem.
Problem
In Uk cancer patients are finding it hard to find real hair wigs in a short span of time.Also organizations are lacking in real hair donations.Donors are not able to donate hair because of unknown donation process.
Outcomes
The outcome bridges the gap between donor, organisation and cancer patient hair receivers by developing a digital application that will help donors to find and donate hair online and also it facilitate online wig purchase.
Overview
01
Background
04
Solution
02
1
Cancer Patients
Cancer patients prefer online purchase
After covid most of the patient family members prefer not going out to try out and select wigs due to the risk of exposing their kids to quick infection.
2
Cancer Patients
Patients are not able to find the correct suitable wig
Even though they get through organizations, patients suffer from the unavailability of suitable hair types, which makes them search up and down various shops.
3
Cancer Patients
Patients are unaware of were to get real hair wigs
Due to the poor immunity due to chemotherapy.Patients are prone to quick infections.Synthetic wigs are know to create severe scalp rashes and sores, so patient avoid .
4
Organisations
Lots of data are there for organisations.
The organizations have all their data about current services and availability of wigs on their websites. This gives us the opportunity to use this data to help match these organizations with the patients.
5
Hair donors
Donors find it challenging to find organisatons online.
Donors prefer to search online or on social media to find organizations to donate to, but often struggle to find adequate information about donations on the organization's website.
6
Hair donors
Donors have no information on what happened to their hair
Most hair donors did not receive any information about their donation or confirmation of its receipt by the organization. This lack of communication has made them concerned that their hair donations might be wasted.
User personas
19
Detailed procedure guidance for hair donation
Users have the ability to choose their current wig or try on other available wigs.The option for wig maintenance is provided on the organization page, offering specific maintenance instructions for each particular wig.
Design features
Ability to scroll down to see that step by step guidance with respective images.
The home screen will show save and vertified details to help users have a idea about the organisation before users dive into the organisation page
Enabling patients to enter their preferred hair type .
A feature that allows the patient to enter their preferences during onboarding will enable the app to provide a filtered list of organizations with the specified wig availability.
Design feature
1. Users can choose their preferences on the screen or upload photos to find the suitable hair type.
2. Using an add icon on the images, users can add one or more wig types to confirm their options.
Matching Algorithm
With the details of patient preferences provided, the app will help find the availability of ready-made wigs and the organizations that sell those specific types of wigs. This will assist the patient in choosing the right wig from a set of matched organizations.
Design features
1.Users have the ability to adjust their filters if the matching process is taking too long.
2.The app displays a popup of matches that are found, which can be accessed from the homepage.
Virtual try -on for wigs
The app will provide a virtual try on feature were patients can virtually try the preference wig.This feature is provided to reduce the burden of travel and expose to infections for the cancer patients
Design features
1.Users have the ability to choose their current wig or try on other available wigs.
2.The option for wig maintenance is provided on the organization page, offering specific maintenance instructions for that particular wig.
Thank you for visiting my portfolio!
Do you have a project in mind? Lets Connect!
Lets collaborate and transform your business ideas into best digital solutions.
The project idea started here
" If I had the time and money, I definitely would have bought her a wig. The problem is, the synthetic wig started giving her rashes, and she was constantly itching. She's a child; I don't want to tell her to be strong. I just wanted her to not feel different from other people !"
-Parent of a cancer survivor
" If I had the time and money, I definitely would have bought her a wig. The problem is, the synthetic wig started giving her rashes, and she was constantly itching. She's a child; I don't want to tell her to be strong. I just wanted her to not feel different from other people !"
-Parent of a cancer survivor
Background
Approximately 65% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience hair loss. Many individuals, especially children, are uncomfortable after shaving their heads and prefer using wigs. However, real hair wigs are not easily available despite numerous hair donations.1 in 20 people are donating their hair for cancer patients but still patients are struggling to get real hair.Also people are often unaware of how to access these wigs or where to find them and get a customised one.
Approximately 65% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience hair loss. Many individuals, especially children, are uncomfortable after shaving their heads and prefer using wigs. However, real hair wigs are not easily available despite numerous hair donations.1 in 20 people are donating their hair for cancer patients but still patients are struggling to get real hair.Also people are often unaware of how to access these wigs or where to find them and get a customised one.
We had a lot of questions
Is there are viable and justifiable opportunity in developing and designing this app?If yes what and how are we going to do?
Why is it hard to get a real hair wig even when so many people donate hair?
Is this the real problem people are facing or is there a different problem we have to identify
Is there are viable and justifiable opportunity in developing and designing this app?If yes what and how are we going to do?
Why is it hard to get a real hair wig even when so many people donate hair?
Is this the real problem people are facing or is there a different problem we have to identify
Challenge
Due to the delay in getting ethical approval to directly involve cancer patients, we were not able to interview or send surveys to cancer survivors during the first 5 weeks of the project.Instead we involved family members of cancer survivors during this 5 week process.
Due to the delay in getting ethical approval to directly involve cancer patients, we were not able to interview or send surveys to cancer survivors during the first 5 weeks of the project.Instead we involved family members of cancer survivors during this 5 week process.
Analysing survey and interview data
06
Analysing the data collected from surveys and interview to find opportunities
Following the initial research, we categorized all data into two main groups: donors and cancer survivors. We then used graphs to the initial research, we categorized all data into two main groups: donors and cancer survivors. We then used graphs to measure the actual problem and its intensity based on their responses to our initial questions.the actual problem and its intensity based on their responses to our initial questions.
Interviews - 7 donors + 8 Cancer survivor family
Survey response - 21 donors + 16 cancer survivor family
Following the initial research, we categorized all data into two main groups: donors and cancer survivors. We then used graphs to the initial research, we categorized all data into two main groups: donors and cancer survivors. We then used graphs to measure the actual problem and its intensity based on their responses to our initial questions.the actual problem and its intensity based on their responses to our initial questions.
Interviews - 7 donors + 8 Cancer survivor family
Survey response - 21 donors + 16 cancer survivor family
07
Analysing data - donation organisation
We reviewed hair donation websites to assess their initial offerings.
After analyzing the data from surveys and initial interviews, we reviewed existing websites to understand the donation process and how cancer survivors purchase wigs. We also assessed whether these websites meet user needs and identified any gaps.
After analyzing the data from surveys and initial interviews, we reviewed existing websites to understand the donation process and how cancer survivors purchase wigs. We also assessed whether these websites meet user needs and identified any gaps.
Donors
Has clear instructions for donating a hair but they did not give nay assurance or tracking on whether they recieved the donated hair.Option of self cut and salon cut was not provided clearly.
Has clear instructions for donating a hair but they did not give nay assurance or tracking on whether they received the donated hair.Option of self cut and salon cut was not provided clearly.
Patients
There is no page to mention what type of wig is required.Availability of real hair wigs are not mentioend.and there is not direct contact to the organisation.
There is no page to mention what type of wig is required.Availability of real hair wigs are not mentioend.and there is not direct contact to the organisation.
Donors
Clear instructions for donating a hair in different ways were provided but they did not give nay assurance or tracking on whether they recieved the donated hair.No way to check that the hair has been used to make wig.
Clear instructions for donating a hair in different ways were provided but they did not give nay assurance or tracking on whether they recieved the donated hair.No way to check that the hair has been used to make wig.
Patients
Customization is available but with one photo verification which is not enough.They have ready made real hair wigs but they were not clear on the website.
Customization is available but with one photo verification which is not enough.They have ready made real hair wigs but they were not clear on the website.
Donors
Different types of donation process and finding the right salon near by was provided clearly.Also assurance of hair recieved was provided clearly but tracking of process is not provided clearly.
Different types of donation process and finding the right salon near by was provided clearly.Also assurance of hair received was provided clearly but tracking of process is not provided clearly.
Patients
Online customization of wig is not available.Also instructions to self The patient has to the organisation to get the wigs measured.Wig delivery timline is not provided
Online customization of wig is not available.Also instructions to self The patient has to the organization to get the wigs measured.Wig delivery timeline is not provided
1
Cancer Patients
Cancer patients prefer online purchase
After covid most of the patient family members prefer not going out to try out and select wigs due to the risk of exposing their kids to quick infection.
After covid most of the patient family members prefer not going out to try out and select wigs due to the risk of exposing their kids to quick infection.
2
Cancer Patients
Patients are not able to find the correct suitable wig
Even though they get through organizations, patients suffer from the unavailability of suitable hair types, which makes them search up and down various shops.
Even though they get through organizations, patients suffer from the unavailability of suitable hair types, which makes them search up and down various shops.
3
Cancer Patients
Patients are unaware of were to get real hair wigs
Due to the poor immunity due to chemotherapy.Patients are prone to quick infectons.Synthetic wigs are know to create severe scalp rashes and sores, so patient avoid
Due to the poor immunity due to chemotherapy.Patients are prone to quick infections.Synthetic wigs are know to create severe scalp rashes and sores, so patient avoid
4
Organisations
Lots of data are there for organisations.
The organizations have all their data about current services and availability of wigs on their websites. This gives us the opportunity to use this data to help match these organizations with the patients.
The organizations have all their data about current services and availability of wigs on their websites. This gives us the opportunity to use this data to help match these organizations with the patients.
5
Hair donors
Donors find it challenging to find organisatons online.
Donors prefer to search online or on social media to find organizations to donate to, but often struggle to find adequate information about donations on the organization's website.
Donors prefer to search online or on social media to find organizations to donate to, but often struggle to find adequate information about donations on the organization's website.
6
Hair donors
Donors have no information on what happened to their hair
Most hair donors did not receive any information about their donation or confirmation of its receipt by the organization. This lack of communication has made them concerned that their hair donations might be wasted.
Most hair donors did not receive any information about their donation or confirmation of its receipt by the organization. This lack of communication has made them concerned that their hair donations might be wasted.
" If I had the time and money, I definitely would have bought her a wig. The problem is, the synthetic wig started giving her rashes, and she was constantly itching. She's a child; I don't want to tell her to be strong. I just wanted her to not feel different from other people !"
-Parent of a cancer survivor
Defining the initial Question
How can we connect hair donors with cancer patients, ensuring patients have the ability to customize and choose their hair type for their wig through matching it with the donors hair type.
How can we connect hair donors with cancer patients, ensuring patients have the ability to customize and choose their hair type for their wig through matching it with the donors hair type.
Constraints and limitations also defined why we scoped down this particular design problem. The following constraints were considered while crafting our design question:
1. Limited project timeline led us to focus only on donors and cancer patients.
2. We were not able to directly involve cancer patients in the intial design process due to ethical reasons.
Constraints and limitations also defined why we scoped down this particular design problem. The following constraints were considered while crafting our design question:
1. Limited project timeline led us to focus only on donors and cancer patients.
2. We were not able to directly involve cancer patients in the intial design process due to ethical reasons.
Defining initial question
09
Human centered design approach
We decided to use a human-centered design approach, as it allows us to deeply understand the end user's needs. This approach enables us to involve end users in the participatory design process and iterative design, ensuring the project output effectively meets their needs.
We decided to use a human-centered design approach, as it allows us to deeply understand the end user's needs. This approach enables us to involve end users in the participatory design process and iterative design, ensuring the project output effectively meets their needs.
Our approach
10
1
In - depth interviews
In - depth interviews were conducted online and also offline with donors and cancer patient family members to understand their needs and to explore the task to be performed on a digital application.
In - depth interviews were conducted online and also offline with donors and cancer patient family members to understand their needs and to explore the task to be performed on a digital application.
2
Participatory workshop
We involved end users in a co-design workshop to understand their mental models of the digital application. Using the card-sorting method, we created different scenarios and asked users to logically arrange and group them.
We involved end users in a co-design workshop to understand their mental models of the digital application. Using the card-sorting method, we created different scenarios and asked users to logically arrange and group them.
Before starting our design process we created a approximate timeline of the process
Before starting our design process we created a approximate timeline of the process
The timeline followed the typical user-centered design process, but we faced challenges that led to prolonged design phases. To meet project deadlines, we had to set certain limitations.
The timeline followed the typical user-centered design process, but we faced challenges that led to prolonged design phases. To meet project deadlines, we had to set certain limitations.
Timeline
11
The user centered design process timeline in this project
We conducted our detail interviews along with few online activities
The in- depth interviews were conducted in persona nd online according to the feasibility of the participantsI had to consider the needs and problems identified by donors and patients. Based on this, I framed questions into categories for effective market research on the requirements and challenges. The results were then analyzed accordingly.
9 interviews with patients family members
14 interviews with donors
The in- depth interviews were conducted in persona nd online according to the feasibility of the participantsI had to consider the needs and problems identified by donors and patients. Based on this, I framed questions into categories for effective market research on the requirements and challenges. The results were then analyzed accordingly.
9 interviews with patients family members
14 interviews with donors
In - depth Interviews
12
Before diving into interviews ,Topic mapping was done to frame the right categories of questions.
Imaged showing the online in- depth interview that I conducted with end users
Affinity mapping
13
Created Affinity mapping to find themes and codes.
a
Affinity mapping was conducted to analyze interview information, identify themes, and develop codes. These themes helped us understand the core problem people faced, the pain points and set our final project question and goal.
Final goal and key stakeholders
15
Participatory workshop with end users
16
Some mental model sketches done by users about the task they want to perform in the digital platform.
Participants along with my team members involving in modeling the type of digital platform they want.
Using card sorting method to used to analyse outcomes for different scenarios.
Challenges
We got the cancer survivors involved at this stage of the design due to the delayed ethical approval process. The cancer survivors' mental model of a digital platform for hair donations and purchases had some differences from the family members of the cancer survivors.
Reframing scenarios
17
Re-framing the certain scenarios after the End- user input
Following the participatory workshop, we reevaluated outcomes based on feedback. Inputs from cancer survivors differed significantly from those of families, prompting a reassessment of our decisions.
Finalization of considerations
18
We compared and finalized what should be considered and what should be changed
Post-workshop, we adjusted features and scenarios, facilitating the removal of some and analysis to determine effective implementation.
User personas
19
We finalized the key features in the app
After considering various factors and eliminating options, we finally concluded on using a mobile app due to its easy accessibility and convenience. We finalized eight features that will be used in this app for both donors and patients.
Solution
21
Users have the ability to choose their current wig or try on other available wigs.The option for wig maintenance is provided on the organization page, offering specific maintenance instructions for each particular wig.
Design features
Ability to scroll down to see that step by step guidance with respective images.
The home screen will show save and verified details to help users have a idea about the organisation before users dive into the organisation page
Detailed procedure guidance for hair donation
Enabling patients to enter their preferred hair type
A feature that allows the patient to enter their preferences during on-boarding will enable the app to provide a filtered list of organizations with the specified wig availability.
Design feature
1. Users can choose their preferences on the screen or upload photos to find the suitable hair type.
2. Using an add icon on the images, users can add one or more wig types to confirm their options.
Matching Algorithm
With the details of patient preferences provided, the app will help find the availability of ready-made wigs and the organizations that sell those specific types of wigs. This will assist the patient in choosing the right wig from a set of matched organizations.
Design features
1.Users have the ability to adjust their filters if the matching process is taking too long.
2.The app displays a popup of matches that are found, which can be accessed from the homepage.
The app will provide a virtual try on feature were patients can virtually try the preference wig.This feature is provided to reduce the burden of travel and expose to infections for the cancer patients
Design features
1.Users have the ability to choose their current wig or try on other available wigs.
2.The option for wig maintenance is provided on the organization page, offering specific maintenance instructions for that particular wig.
High - Fidelity Prototype
22
Key Features
20
Cancer survivor wig purchase process.
Cancer survivor entering preferences
Cancer survivor matching with organisations according to their wig preference
Hair donation process by the donors
Reflections
23
User - testing of prototype
More understanding or user testing can be done with the low-fidelity prototype to assess the feasibility of using the mobile feature in the design.
Team work
Initially, teamwork was challenging due to clashes in ideas and processes. However, understanding team preferences, discussing how individuals process information, and recognizing each person's capabilities can facilitate successful project execution within a given timeframe.
Wig organization study
The organization and salon processes should have explored more than just data collection. This could have helped us understand more about how successful this app would be.
Limitation in Synthetic wig
Studying access to synthetic wigs without a timeline allowed us to discover that people might opt for synthetic wigs as a temporary second option during the process.
“This project is close to my heart because my team members and I have witnessed our own family members battle cancer. The loss of hair was one of the most emotionally challenging experiences they faced.”
- Sherin Arulmaran
Thank you for visiting my portfolio!
Do you have a project in mind? Lets Connect!
Lets collaborate and transform your business ideas into best digital solutions.
© 2024 Sherin Arulmaran - All Rights Reserved.
A mobile app to facilitate hair donation and wig purchase for cancer care.
This project was done as a part of Msc Human - computer interaction design project.We were grouped into teams to digitally solve a real world problem.Given theme was"Living well with data".The expected outcome of the project was not a finished product but to find a proper solution for a real world problem.
Problem
In Uk cancer patients are finding it hard to find real hair wigs in a short span of time.Also organizations are lacking in real hair donations.Donors are not able to donate hair because of unknown donation process.
Outcomes
The outcome bridges the gap between donor, organisation and cancer patient hair receivers by developing a digital application that will help donors to find and donate hair online and also it facilitate online wig purchase.
Overview
01
My Contributions
03
What did I contribute in this project?
Background
04
The project idea started here
" If I had the time and money, I definitely would have bought her a wig. The problem is, the synthetic wig started giving her rashes, and she was constantly itching. She's a child; I don't want to tell her to be strong. I just wanted her to not feel different from other people !"
-Parent of a cancer survivor
Background
Approximately 65% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience hair loss. Many individuals, especially children, are uncomfortable after shaving their heads and prefer using wigs. However, real hair wigs are not easily available despite numerous hair donations.1 in 20 people are donating their hair for cancer patients but still patients are struggling to get real hair.Also people are often unaware of how to access these wigs or where to find them and get a customised one.
We had a lot of questions
Is there are viable and justifiable opportunity
in developing and designing this app?If yes what and how are we going to do?
Why is it hard to get a real hair wig even when so many people donate hair?
Is this the real problem people are facing or is there
a different problem we have to identify
Initial research process
05
What did we do to answer the above questions
We did three types of initial search to understand the users pain points and to see whether we have a viable opportunity in developing this project.
1
Literature reviews
Donors and patient family
I conducted online research on existing websites used for hair donations and wig purchases.We looked into how the donation and wig making industry works.
2
Surveys
Donors and patient family
Analyzed demographics, age groups affected by chemotherapy-related hair loss, problem severity, hair accessibility, donation frequency, and purchasing timelines.
3
Informal interviews
Donors and patient family
I interviewed people with "open end questions" on social media, friends, family members who donate hair, and caretakers of cancer survivors to understand their donation process.
Challenge
Due to the delay in getting ethical approval to directly involve cancer patients, we were not able to interview or send surveys to cancer survivors during the first 5 weeks of the project.Instead we involved family members of cancer survivors during this 5 week process.
Analysing survey and interview data
06
Following the initial research, we categorized all data into two main groups: donors and cancer survivors. We then used graphs to the initial research, we categorized all data into two main groups: donors and cancer survivors. We then used graphs to measure the actual problem and its intensity based on their responses to our initial questions.the actual problem and its intensity based on their responses to our initial questions.
Interviews - 7 donors + 8 Cancer survivor family
Survey response - 21 donors + 16 cancer survivor family
Analysing the data collected from surveys and interview to find opportunities
Analysing the data got from the intial research to find opportunities and frame the initial problem statement
Analysing data from existing donation organisation
07
We reviewed hair donation websites to assess their initial offerings.
After analyzing the data from surveys and initial interviews, we reviewed existing websites to understand the donation process and how cancer survivors purchase wigs. We also assessed whether these websites meet user needs and identified any gaps.
Donors
Has clear instructions for donating a hair but they did not give nay assurance or tracking on whether they received the donated hair.Option of self cut and salon cut was not provided clearly.
Patients
There is no page to mention what type of wig is required.Availability of real hair wigs are not mentioned.and there is not direct contact to the organisation.
Donors
Clear instructions for donating a hair in different ways were provided but they did not give nay assurance or tracking on whether they recieved the donated hair.No way to check that the hair has been used to make wig.
Patients
Customization is available but with one photo verification which is not enough.They have ready made real hair wigs but they were not clear on the website.
Donors
Different types of donation process and finding the right salon near by was provided clearly.Also assurance of hair recieved was provided clearly but tracking of process is not provided clearly.
Patients
Online customization of wig is not available.Also instructions to self The patient has to the organisation to get the wigs measured.Wig delivery timline is not provided
Outcomes of the intial research
08
Pain points were
opportunities
The pain points and expectations of end-users provided us with a viable opportunity to develop a digital application that addresses issues related to hair donation and receiving wigs.
" If I had the time and money, I definitely would have bought her a wig. The problem is, the synthetic wig started giving her rashes, and she was constantly itching. She's a child; I don't want to tell her to be strong. I just wanted her to not feel different from other people !"
-Parent of a cancer survivor
Defining the initial Question
How can we connect hair donors with cancer patients, ensuring patients have the ability to customize and choose their hair type for their wig through matching it with the donors hair type.
Constraints and limitations also defined why we scoped down this particular design problem. The following constraints were considered while crafting our design question:
1. Limited project timeline led us to focus only on donors and cancer patients.
2. We were not able to directly involve cancer patients in the initial design process due to ethical reasons.
Defining initial question
09
Human centered
design approach
We decided to use a human-centered design approach, as it allows us to deeply understand the end user's needs. This approach enables us to involve end users in the participatory design process and iterative design, ensuring the project output effectively meets their needs.
Our approach
10
1
In - depth interviews
In - depth interviews were conducted online and also offline with donors and cancer patient family members to understand their needs and to explore the task to be performed on a digital application.
2
Participatory workshop
We involved end users in a co-design workshop to understand their mental models of the digital application. Using the card-sorting method, we created different scenarios and asked users to logically arrange and group them.
Before we began our design approach, an estimated process timeline was formulated
The timeline followed the typical user-centered design process, but we faced challenges that led to prolonged design phases. To meet project deadlines, we had to set certain limitations.
Timeline
11
The user centered design process timeline in this project
In - depth Interviews
12
We conducted our detail interviews along with few online activities
The in- depth interviews were conducted in persona nd online according to the feasibility of the participantsI had to consider the needs and problems identified by donors and patients. Based on this, I framed questions into categories for effective market research on the requirements and challenges. The results were then analyzed accordingly.
9 interviews with patients family members
14 interviews with donors
Before diving into interviews ,Topic mapping was done to frame the right categories of questions.
Imaged showing the online in- depth interview that I conducted with end users
Created Affinity mapping to find themes and codes.
a
Affinity mapping was conducted to analyze interview information, identify themes, and develop codes. These themes helped us understand the core problem people faced, the pain points and set our final project question and goal.
Affinity mapping
13
Final question
14
How might we design an inclusive digital application that efficiently matches hair donations with cancer survivors, ensures a secure and easy donation process, and fosters lasting connections between donors and recipients?
The wig making organizations serve as the primary connection between donors and patients.
Final goal and key stakeholders
15
Participatory design workshop with end users
Some mental model sketches done by users about the task they want to perform in the digital platform.
Participants along with my team members involving in modeling the type of digital platform they want.
Using card sorting method to used to analyse outcomes for different scenarios.
Challenges
We got the cancer survivors involved at this stage of the design due to the delayed ethical approval process. The cancer survivors' mental model of a digital platform for hair donations and purchases had some differences from the family members of the cancer survivors.
Reframing scenarios
17
Reframing the certain scenarios after the End- user input
Following the participatory workshop, we re-evaluated outcomes based on feedback. Inputs from cancer survivors differed significantly from those of families, prompting a reassessment of our decisions.
Finalization of considerations
18
We compared and finalized what should be considered and what should be changed
Post-workshop, we adjusted features and scenarios, facilitating the removal of some and analysis to determine effective implementation.
Key Features
20
We finalized the key features in the app
After considering various factors and eliminating options, we finally concluded on using a mobile app due to its easy accessibility and convenience. We finalized eight features that will be used in this app for both donors and patients.
Solution
21
High-fidelity prototype were developed for both donors and cancer patients.
Due to limitations in the project, we focused mainly on the process of donor selection and the purchase of wigs by cancer patients.
High Fidelity prototype
22
High-fidelity prototype were developed for both donors and cancer patients.
Due to limitations in the project, we focused mainly on the process of donor selection and the purchase of wigs by cancer patients.
Enhancing Efficiency in Hair Donations and Wig Distribution through digital technology
Role
User Experience Designer
Duration
9 weeks (November 2023 to January 2024)
Tools
Figma / Miro / Photoshop
MSc HCI - Academic Project
caring strands
My Contributions
03
What did I contribute in this project?
1
Literature reviews
Donors and patient family
I conducted online research on existing websites used for hair donations and wig purchases.We looked into how the donation and wig making industry works.
2
Surveys
Donors and patient family
Analyzed demographics, age groups affected by chemotherapy-related hair loss, problem severity, hair accessibility, donation frequency, and purchasing timelines.
3
Informal interviews
Donors and patient family
I interviewed people with "open end questions" on social media, friends, family members who donate hair, and caretakers of cancer survivors to understand their donation process.
Initial research process
05
What did we do to answer the above questions
We did three types of initial search to understand the users pain points and to see whether we have a viable opportunity in developing this project
Analysing the data got from the initial research to find opportunities and frame the initial problem statement
Outcomes of the intial research
08
Pain points were opportunities
The pain points and expectations of end-users provided us with a viable opportunity to develop a digital application that addresses issues related to hair donation and receiving wigs.
Virtual try-on
1
2
3
4
Cancer survivor wig purchase process.
Cancer survivors entering preferences
Cancer survivor matching with organisations according to their wig preference
Hair donation process by the donors
Reflection
23
User - testing of prototype
More understanding or user testing can be done with the low-fidelity prototype to assess the feasibility of using the mobile feature in the design.
Team work
Initially, teamwork was challenging due to clashes in ideas and processes. However, understanding team preferences, discussing how individuals process information, and recognizing each person's capabilities can facilitate successful project execution within a given time frame.
Wig organization study
The organization and salon processes should have explored more than just data collection. This could have helped us understand more about how successful this app would be.
Limitation in Synthetic wig
Studying access to synthetic wigs without a timeline allowed us to discover that people might opt for synthetic wigs as a temporary second option during the process.