Crafting patient-centered tools for people who use drugs
Designing a place-based, community-sourced, digital safety network for harm reduction with UPMC Health
Crafting patient-centered tools for people who use drugs
Designing a place-based, community-sourced, digital safety network for harm reduction with UPMC Health
Crafting patient-centered tools for people who use drugs
Designing a place-based, community-sourced, digital safety network for harm reduction with UPMC Health
People who use drugs face significant social and structural barriers when seeking support. Critically, there is no single source of truth for drug-related services, leaving vital information fragmented and inaccessible.
Through a partnership with UPMC Health and the Carnegie Mellon University School of Design, my team developed a digital solution and proof-of-concept to address this gap and improve access to harm reduction services.
Problem
How might we improve knowledge sharing around harm reduction services in a fragmented system?
Solution
Season—a digital, community-powered safety network that formalizes knowledge-sharing among people who use drugs.
Role
UX/UI Design
User Research
Illustration
Client
UPMC Health
Team
Sandra Chang
Nikita Valluri
Timeline
February - March 2024
People who use drugs face significant social and structural barriers when seeking support. Critically, there is no single source of truth for drug-related services, leaving vital information fragmented and inaccessible.
Through a partnership with UPMC Health and the Carnegie Mellon University School of Design, my team developed a digital solution and proof-of-concept to address this gap and improve access to harm reduction services.
Problem
How might we improve knowledge sharing around harm reduction services in a fragmented system?
Solution
Season—a digital, community-powered safety network that formalizes knowledge-sharing among people who use drugs.
Role
UX/UI Design
User Research
Illustration
Client
UPMC Health
Team
Sandra Chang
Nikita Valluri
Timeline
February - March 2024
People who use drugs face significant social and structural barriers when seeking support. Critically, there is no single source of truth for drug-related services, leaving vital information fragmented and inaccessible.
Through a partnership with UPMC Health and the Carnegie Mellon University School of Design, my team developed a digital solution and proof-of-concept to address this gap and improve access to harm reduction services.
Problem
How might we improve knowledge sharing around harm reduction services in a fragmented system?
Solution
Season—a digital, community-powered safety network that formalizes knowledge-sharing among people who use drugs.
Role
UX/UI Design
User Research
Illustration
Client
UPMC Health
Team
Sandra Chang
Nikita Valluri
Timeline
February - March 2024
Research
Research
Research
Background Research
We conducted online research on drug addiction and harm reduction while exploring community forums to understand the language and culture of substance use.
Background Research
We conducted online research on drug addiction and harm reduction while exploring community forums to understand the language and culture of substance use.
Background Research
We conducted online research on drug addiction and harm reduction while exploring community forums to understand the language and culture of substance use.
User Testing
Peer navigators who had lived experience of substance use disorders provided invaluable insights. Their feedback helped us understand the real-world challenges users face, influencing our design decisions.
User Testing
Peer navigators who had lived experience of substance use disorders provided invaluable insights. Their feedback helped us understand the real-world challenges users face, influencing our design decisions.
User Testing
Peer navigators who had lived experience of substance use disorders provided invaluable insights. Their feedback helped us understand the real-world challenges users face, influencing our design decisions.
Insight
I discovered a clear gap between how the medical community and people who use drugs discuss addiction. Bridging this language gap was essential for building trust with end-users.
Insight
I discovered a clear gap between how the medical community and people who use drugs discuss addiction. Bridging this language gap was essential for building trust with end-users.
Insight
I discovered a clear gap between how the medical community and people who use drugs discuss addiction. Bridging this language gap was essential for building trust with end-users.
Usability test with a peer navigator
Usability test with a peer navigator
Usability test with a peer navigator
Key Features
Key Features
Key Features
Discover: Resource Directory
A comprehensive directory connecting individuals with harm reduction, treatment, and essential services in their region.
Key Design Decisions
Created multiple entry points for different user needs: direct search, category-based browsing, and map view
Prioritized commonly sought services in the filtering system
Included critical details like hours, services offered, and community reviews
Discover: Resource Directory
A comprehensive directory connecting individuals with harm reduction, treatment, and essential services in their region.
Key Design Decisions
Created multiple entry points for different user needs: direct search, category-based browsing, and map view
Prioritized commonly sought services in the filtering system
Included critical details like hours, services offered, and community reviews
Discover: Resource Directory
A comprehensive directory connecting individuals with harm reduction, treatment, and essential services in their region.
Key Design Decisions
Created multiple entry points for different user needs: direct search, category-based browsing, and map view
Prioritized commonly sought services in the filtering system
Included critical details like hours, services offered, and community reviews
Share: Community Reviews
A structured yet flexible review system for documenting experiences at facilities.
Key Design Decisions
Smart decision tree format displaying only relevant questions
A balance between structured feedback for better aggregated ratings and a free-text section moderated by peer navigators
Share: Community Reviews
A structured yet flexible review system for documenting experiences at facilities.
Key Design Decisions
Smart decision tree format displaying only relevant questions
A balance between structured feedback for better aggregated ratings and a free-text section moderated by peer navigators
Share: Community Reviews
A structured yet flexible review system for documenting experiences at facilities.
Key Design Decisions
Smart decision tree format displaying only relevant questions
A balance between structured feedback for better aggregated ratings and a free-text section moderated by peer navigators
Talk: Immediate Support
An immediate support system providing one-on-one assistance when needed most.
Key Design Decisions
Integrated existing trusted helplines and navigation services to avoid burdening under-resourced services
Developed an automated emergency SMS system to alert trusted contacts
Talk: Immediate Support
An immediate support system providing one-on-one assistance when needed most.
Key Design Decisions
Integrated existing trusted helplines and navigation services to avoid burdening under-resourced services
Developed an automated emergency SMS system to alert trusted contacts
Talk: Immediate Support
An immediate support system providing one-on-one assistance when needed most.
Key Design Decisions
Integrated existing trusted helplines and navigation services to avoid burdening under-resourced services
Developed an automated emergency SMS system to alert trusted contacts
Branding & Design System
Branding & Design System
Branding & Design System
The name Season represents the cycles of change in a person's life and substance use journey. The visual identity uses warm, supportive tones and hand-drawn illustrations to create a welcoming atmosphere while reflecting the app’s core values of non-judgment and dignity.
The name Season represents the cycles of change in a person's life and substance use journey. The visual identity uses warm, supportive tones and hand-drawn illustrations to create a welcoming atmosphere while reflecting the app’s core values of non-judgment and dignity.
The name Season represents the cycles of change in a person's life and substance use journey. The visual identity uses warm, supportive tones and hand-drawn illustrations to create a welcoming atmosphere while reflecting the app’s core values of non-judgment and dignity.
Key Design Decision
We used branding to embrace harm reduction principles↗ through deliberately non-judgmental, non-coercive language. Our goal was to avoid pressuring users toward abstinence, instead creating an environment that respects autonomy and meets people where they are.
Key Design Decision
We used branding to embrace harm reduction principles↗ through deliberately non-judgmental, non-coercive language. Our goal was to avoid pressuring users toward abstinence, instead creating an environment that respects autonomy and meets people where they are.
Key Design Decision
We used branding to embrace harm reduction principles↗ through deliberately non-judgmental, non-coercive language. Our goal was to avoid pressuring users toward abstinence, instead creating an environment that respects autonomy and meets people where they are.
Color palette and typeface
Color palette and typeface
Color palette and typeface
Logo and illustrations
Logo and illustrations
Logo and illustrations
Reusable components
Reusable components
Reusable components
Reflections & Impact
Reflections & Impact
Reflections & Impact
Reflections & Impact
The power of authentic co-design
Engaging directly with individuals with lived experience shaped every aspect of the app, enabling Season to resonate authentically with end-users and establish itself as a trusted resource.
The power of authentic co-design
Engaging directly with individuals with lived experience shaped every aspect of the app, enabling Season to resonate authentically with end-users and establish itself as a trusted resource.
The power of authentic co-design
Engaging directly with individuals with lived experience shaped every aspect of the app, enabling Season to resonate authentically with end-users and establish itself as a trusted resource.
More than just an app
In a marginalized space where people who use drugs often lack safe spaces, Season offers more than information—it provides a digital community where users can share knowledge, navigate the systems that have historically failed them, and find dignity in their journeys.
Season demonstrates how thoughtful UX design can address complex social challenges for communities systematically underserved by traditional systems.
More than just an app
In a marginalized space where people who use drugs often lack safe spaces, Season offers more than information—it provides a digital community where users can share knowledge, navigate the systems that have historically failed them, and find dignity in their journeys.
Season demonstrates how thoughtful UX design can address complex social challenges for communities systematically underserved by traditional systems.
More than just an app
In a marginalized space where people who use drugs often lack safe spaces, Season offers more than information—it provides a digital community where users can share knowledge, navigate the systems that have historically failed them, and find dignity in their journeys.
Season demonstrates how thoughtful UX design can address complex social challenges for communities systematically underserved by traditional systems.