ABOUT THE PROJECT
Vetopia, A New Leash on Pet Health Management
Vetopia is an innovative B2C platform designed to strengthen the bond between pet owners and veterinary professionals. As the primary designer, in collaboration with a talented team of designers and developers from the University of Toronto and McMaster University, I've been instrumental in guiding this project through its ongoing journey, focusing on the foundations of an intuitive user experience. My responsibilities ranged from user research to the creation of a high-fidelity prototype for the business end and a detailed review system for the customer interface. This project, still in its development phase with ongoing work on both the frontend and backend, serves a dual purpose: it allows pet owners to efficiently manage their pets' health records and share medical experiences, while enabling veterinarians to enhance client relations, broaden their client base, and refine their services. My role has been pivotal in shaping a platform that not only meets the functional needs of pet health management but also nurtures a community dedicated to pet care excellence.
Role
User Research
User Experience
Prototyping
Collaboration Mode
Teamwork
Collaborative Handoff
01 INSIGHTS & PROBLEMS
Learning the problems & insights
Learning through quantitative data
Our user research began with a comprehensive online survey that gathered the opinions of 27 pet owners (primarily owners of dogs, cats, or both). The findings revealed that a significant 78.3% of these owners adhere to an annual schedule for their pets' health check-ups and vaccinations, highlighting a proactive approach to pet healthcare. Conversely, 17.4% reported visiting the vet on an as-needed basis, underscoring the diverse healthcare behaviours among pet owners.
It's difficult to find printed hard copies, and boring to manually organize digital files
50% of pet owners receive pet medical files in printed form, nearly half are emailed, leaving a negligible share benefiting from both methods. Notably, no participants mentioned the use of digital platforms for this purpose. Furthermore, over half of the respondents rely on digital documents to track their pets' health, yet they face the cumbersome task of manually organizing these files. The issue is compounded for those who lose printed records, with three participants specifically noting the absence of digital backups.
Pet owners want a digital solution to track their pets' health condition
The survey responses illuminate a significant interest and necessity for a centralized digital platform in pet healthcare management. With 50% of pet owners tracking their pets' health information monthly (9.1% weekly) and a unanimous interest (100%) in a digital platform for managing pet health records and veterinarian communication, the need for a comprehensive digital solution is evident. The primary challenge identified was the difficulty in tracking vaccinations, pointing to a broader issue of efficiently managing and sharing pets' health information. This unanimous call for a digital tool underscores the pet community's readiness for Vetopia.
02 WEB PLATFORM
Design the solution
Streamlined client management for veterinarians
The Vetopia platform introduces a highly efficient way for veterinarians to manage their clients. The intuitive interface provides a seamless client list overview, allowing quick access to individual profiles with detailed information, including contact details and patient history. With the capability to invite new clients and organize patient data effortlessly, this prototype showcases a system that’s tailored for the fast-paced, information-driven veterinary clinic environment. This design aims to optimize practice operations, making client and patient data management a breeze for veterinary professionals.
Empowering pet health tracking for pet owners
The Vetopia platform empowers pet owners by offering a comprehensive dashboard to track and manage their pets' health records. The user-friendly interface allows for the addition and modification of pet profiles, facilitating easy access to essential health metrics and appointment schedules. This design addresses the need for a centralized and digital repository for pet health information, aligning with the insights garnered from user research indicating the high value pet owners place on accessible and organized pet health data.
Pawsitive reviews
Vetopia’s customer-facing prototype offers a vibrant, user-centric interface where pet owners can effortlessly share and discover reviews about veterinary services. This community-driven feature enhances transparency and trust, allowing users to rate services, share experiences, and make informed decisions about their pet’s care. With intuitive navigation and a comprehensive review system, the platform not only simplifies the search for reputable vets but also encourages pet owners to actively contribute to a shared repository of knowledge. It’s about creating a space where the wellbeing of pets is the shared priority, bolstered by honest feedback and personal pet care stories.
03 REFLECTION
What did I learn?
Synergizing with development teams
Working on Vetopia has enriched my collaborative experience with developers, enhancing my proficiency in handing off high-fidelity prototypes and ensuring seamless integration from design to development, readying me for multidisciplinary teamwork ahead.
Enhancing proficiency in data-driven design
The Vetopia project was a testament to my growth in quantitative data analysis, as I meticulously gathered survey responses and distilled them into meaningful patterns. This process has not only fine-tuned my research skills but has also solidified my capacity to inform design decisions with solid data insights, thereby elevating the user experience.
Advancing B2C and EMR design understanding
Through the Vetopia project, I've deepened my design perspective, studying a variety of EMR systems to inform my approach to the veterinary B2C platforms. This experience has broadened my design toolkit, allowing me to thoughtfully integrate medical industry insights into user-friendly solutions for pet owners and veterinarians alike.
Harmonizing design and functionality
In my role as the primary designer for Vetopia, I have cultivated the skill to merge aesthetic design with functional user interfaces. Through collaboration with developers and other designers, I've become adept at creating platforms that are not only visually appealing but also intuitive and easy to navigate for users.