Duet —
The Duet device is a low-key way for people with MS to communicate those needs and keep their families up to date. Increasing awareness helps families respond effectively to their loved one, and ultimately help them feel better.
The Challenge
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-lasting disease that affects the body and mind with invisible symptoms such as fatigue, pain, memory loss, trouble in coherent thinking, communication and more. People with MS constantly adjust to the differences between how they feel “inside” and how the world reacts to them when they “look fine” on the outside.
Family members, friends, employers and even doctors often doubt the validity or intensity of invisible symptoms. When enough of that happens, people with MS begin to doubt their own perceptions and are further pushed into isolation and feeling that they cannot communicate what they are really experiencing.
Prototyping for testing of the solution
Size of the device was a key factor in the physical design. By comparison to a small fruit, the playful shape of the device was very well-received by our target audience. (right)
Duet is designed for people with MS and their families who struggle to understand their loved one’s needs and emotions on a day-to-day basis. This is crucial in MS care, especially when their loved one feels like a burden sharing their needs out loud. The Duet device is a low-key way for people with MS to communicate those needs and keep their families up to date. Increasing awareness helps families respond effectively to their loved one, and ultimately help them feel better.
The Solution
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Comprehensive solutions to otherwise long-winded and worded information is what made this project a success.
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Through detailed User Research, we derived insights on family dynamic in MS care, making this design award-winning in the MS research space.