Quintron - Project Aria
Goal
Action
Result
Redesign the Breathtracker Analyzer into a more attractive and usable product, by aligning the product with modern contemporaries while maintaining its legacy of quality.
I started the project working closely with a product manager to scope and plan out the project. I assisted in research efforts and analysis to establish key user needs and stakeholder needs to inform my design efforts. Working closely with the engineering team, maintaining an open line of communication allowed a great partnership between engineering and design.
An improved user experience through a digital interface paired with physical design using lighting and a simplified sampling process. I worked closely with the client and engineering team through production and software integration.
Project Description
The project began as a ‘face lift’ of the original Breathtracker Analyzer. Once we dove into the product requirements and gained understanding of the current state of the device, a user experience improvement alongside an aesthetic update was proposed. The product is currently in Beta testing.
Role
User Experience
Industrial Design
User Interface design
Project Management
The Opportunity
With a product that has a legacy of quality, we identified an opportunity to improve and update the aesthetics and user experience of the breathtracker for it’s current and future users.
Understanding the stakeholders and process
To better understand the project, we had to understand our client needs, analysis process and its users. An interview with internal staff (manufacturing) and lab technicians (users) provided us insights into the users day to day, how consumables work and the clients manufacturing capabilities.
Get to know the Users
Interviewing lab technicians and watching the analysis process gave us a clear understanding of how the sampling process works as well as highlighted key points on what works and what doesn’t in the current Breathtracker analysis process.
Task Analysis
Diving deeper into the workflow, analyzing every detail and step to ensure we can provide the most improved experience.
Key improvements that were identified:
Sampling process can be simplified for the users by removing specific manual processes
Improve sampling and calibration experience through feedback and notifications
Provide a data recording
User Goals
Reliably and efficiently run tests
Tests results are accurate and verifiable
Make it easier to run tests
Design
Design Analysis & Mood Board
Looking at competitors and adjacent product categories provided a landscape of design directions and identify an aesthetically unique approach.
I believe in using physical boards with digital versions for inspiration and project tracking as it carves an area in our workspace, and is always in eye sight.
Sketch and Evaluate
Multiple rounds of rough sketching to sketch renders were used to discuss concepts, and flush out ideas. Understanding key components and constraints creates informed concepts.
Concept prototype
Physical prototyping provided valuable insight into usability, aesthetics and manufacturability.
Concept reviews were conducted with the client, engineering teams and users to make the necessary design changes.
Final Industrial Design
Working closely with the engineering team and a manufacturing partner, we refined Aria to be cost effective, easily assembled and most of all, maintaining all the features designed to help the lab technicians day to day!
Some Key features include:
Translate old devices physical interface to touchscreen while adding additional improvements and quality of life enhancements
Improved desiccant replacement, tracking and storage
Added saved test results and connectivity to print or store on cloud platform
Interface design
User Flow
Using the task analysis and storyboards provided us insight into how to create a user flow that paired the digital experience with the physical. Understanding when the user was actively using the device and when they needed physical indications provided an opportunity to introduce lighting effects in conjunction with certain functions of the analysis.
Wireframe and Testing
Leveraging the user flow and the discoveries made there, I created a prototype to allow stakeholders to test the main functionality. There are 3 main user flows for the interface:
Sampling and Results
Calibration and Results
Settings and system variables
Each flow was tested with stakeholders to ensure it provided the best user experience before finalizing the design.
Final Design
It was important to test the processes on a prototype design. Screen angle, visibility and touch screen accessibility were all considered and tested.
The navigation bar being at the bottom, and separated visually gives the user more focus on the main screen and connects the physical interaction (top right gas injection port) in closer proximity.
The color choice of the screens were also important. The sampling screen being blue also coincided with lighting cues around the gas injection port to inform and direct the user.
Providing digital inputs to system variables improved the lab technician’s experience, but most of all, simplifies the clients customer service and quality control processes.
Constant calibration was a pain point for the users. Providing clear calibration variable, as well as a history of calibration results provided a clearer indication as to when calibration needed to be done.
Modernizing the platform also helped improve this experience.
Tracking and storing results was a manual process. With the help of Quintron staff and lab technicians, we were able to create a system that tracks samples that fits into their workflow. Allowing them to print and save to a secure server when necessary.
