healthwise

Problem Space

The resilience of rural communities

In this semester project our task was to design an ecosystem intervention individually within a pre-defined problem space and formalise that intervention in a digital product.

Physical isolation, limited economic diversity, and higher poverty rates, combined with an ageing population, increase the vulnerability of rural communities to any crisis, including the current permacrisis. Systems of fundamental importance to rural populations are already stressed by remoteness and limited access - climate change is only making this worse.

Project Mastering IxD - University Course

Year 2024 fall (MA1.1)

Team Individual work

Try Prototype

Primary Issues

Effects of climate change: Rural communities tend to rely heavily on climate-sensitive resources such as local water supplies and agricultural land; climate-sensitive activities such as arable farming and livestock husbandry; and natural resources such as fuelwood. Climate change can reduce the availability of these local natural resources, limiting the options for rural households that depend on natural resources for consumption or trade. Land may become less fertile; fewer reeds may be available for basketmaking; there may be less local fuelwood for heating. These impacts will progressively increase over this century and will shift the locations where rural economic activities (like agriculture, forestry, and recreation) can thrive.

Effects of outbound migration: Rural communities already struggle with outbound migration - leaving them with an ageing population, and lower ratio of economically active population. Climate change, through its negative effects on traditional economic activities, will speed up this process. This in turn, through the reduction of economic diversity, makes these communities more vulnerable - creating a self-exciting point process.

Lack of economic resilience: Due to their geographic and economic isolation, rural communities are less resilient from an economic perspective - negative changes in one specific economic area (e.g. agriculture) have a rippling effect on the stability of the entire community. Diversity of economic activities makes communities less vulnerable to crises.

Chosen intervention area

How might we improve access to reliable information in rural communities to combat misinformation and strengthen civic participation?

In many rural areas, limited access to diverse sources of credible information can make communities more vulnerable to misinformation, fake news, and political propaganda. This can distort public understanding, fuel social divisions, and undermine democratic processes. By increasing access to trustworthy news outlets and fostering critical thinking skills, rural residents can become better informed and more engaged citizens. Community-driven initiatives, local media platforms, and information-sharing networks can help promote transparency, encourage dialogue, and support the resilience of rural communities against external manipulation.

01

Research findings

During my research I found that the avoidable mortality rates in Hungary are significantly high. On one hand, this is caused by poor lifestyle choices, such as poor diet, smoking, heavy alcolol consumption, obesity and low physical activity. On the other hand, people in rural areas tend to have limited health literacy.

02

The Concept

Developing a health app with the mission to promote preventive care and empower individuals through accessible, trustworthy health education. The goal is to raise awareness, correct common misconceptions, and help people make informed decisions about their well-being—ultimately reducing the prevalence of avoidable illnesses and encouraging a proactive approach to personal health. By focusing on clear, reliable information and user-friendly design, the app aims to be a supportive tool for everyday health literacy and long-term wellness.

03

Functionality

Explore the functionality of the app and discover how it works—from setting up your personal health profile to receiving tailored insights and connecting with health professionals for personalized support.

01 Record Your Health Profile

Users can create a personalized profile by inputting their health conditions, goals, and current health status. This profile forms the foundation for tailored recommendations and allows them to connect with relevant professionals who can provide insights, tips, and support aligned with their unique needs.

02 Select Personal Consultant

Users can choose from a curated list of health professionals tailored to their individual health profiles, enabling access to personalized tips and guidance that support their unique wellness goals. This approach ensures that recommendations are relevant, credible, and aligned with each user’s specific needs and lifestyle.

03 Choose from different Goals

You can set your own goal and the app helps you stay motivated.Users can set personalized health goals, and the app provides ongoing motivation and support through tailored tips, progress tracking, and encouragement to help them stay on track and achieve lasting results.

04 Education and Tips

You can set your own goal and the app helps you stay motivated.The app features a dedicated section for educational content covering a wide range of health topics, helping users deepen their understanding of wellness and preventive care. If a user’s personalized plan includes exercises, recipes, or specific habits, they’ll also receive practical tips and guidance on how to carry them out effectively and safely.

05 Consulting

You can consult with your chosen health professional to create a personalized wellness plan tailored to your needs, and schedule follow-up sessions to track your progress, adjust your goals, and stay supported throughout your health journey.

cycleogist

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Supporting Every Cycle, Empowering Every Day

A comprehensive mental health and wellness app that helps women embrace their cycles, maximize their strengths, and navigate challenges with confidence. Women often struggle to align their mental health, energy levels, and productivity with their menstrual cycles. Existing apps focus on fertility and symptoms, neglecting the potential for cycle-based empowerment.

Project Designing Effective Positive Technology Tools - University Course

Year 2024 fall (MA1.1)

Team Varissara Vannawongpaisan

Research

What are the struggles?

To better understand the emotional and physical challenges women face during their menstrual cycles, we conducted a survey with 72 participants and interviewed a medical doctor specializing in women’s health. The findings revealed common concerns such as mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Many participants expressed the need for better emotional support tools during their cycle—beyond basic tracking—highlighting a gap in current solutions. The doctor emphasized the importance of integrating stress management and mental wellness into menstrual care.

01 Base Functionality

The app’s basic functionality is similar to other cycle apps: record symptoms, track your cycle, predict menstruation, and set reminders for key dates and activities.

02 Advanced Planning

The app helps you gain a deeper understanding of your cycle, allowing you to plan ahead more effectively. By recognizing the varying energy levels throughout each phase, it predicts when you’re likely to feel more energized or need rest, making it easier to schedule tasks, activities, and self-care with confidence.

03 Education & Personalized Tips

Based on the data you provide over time, the app offers tailored recipe suggestions for each phase of your cycle, aligning with your specific nutritional needs and symptoms. Additionally, it provides personalized wellness tips to support your well-being during every phase, helping you feel your best throughout the month.

04 Community Features and Partner Mode

With Community Features, you can connect with friends who are going through similar experiences, offering support and encouragement during each phase of your cycle. The Partner Mode allows you to connect with your partner, giving them insights into your cycle so they can provide the right kind of support—whether that’s offering encouragement or being more understanding during challenging times.

UI for NIÜ

ABOUT THE PROJECT

An Innovative Web Interface Design to Showcase the Hungarian Innovation Ecosystem

This work was done for a Proposal by the Hungarian Innovation Agency (NIÜ). The mission of NIÜ is to strengthen Hungary's innovation capacity by supporting the evolving needs of the innovation ecosystem, fostering connections between its stakeholders, and promoting innovation-driven culture and mindset. Through the development of the innovation ecosystem map, the NIÜ aims to provide all stakeholders with an accessible, user-friendly platform that consolidates the information, funding, and collaboration opportunities. This initiative supports the realization of innovative projects, fosters connections between universities and companies, and promotes knowledge and technology transfer.

Project Call for Proposals: Designing the UI for the "Hungarian Innovation Ecosystem Map" - 2nd prize

Year February 2025

Team Ágnes Réka Varga, László Majsai

Try Prototype

Details

Designing the Experience

Since the target audience of the ecosystem map are the following:

University and research institute researchers, educators, and students
Founders and employees of startups and innovative SMEs
Investors
Leaders and R&D professionals from large corporations
Business service providers, etc.

Given the diverse range of users, from seasoned experts in business, innovation, and funding to those with limited familiarity in these areas, it was crucial to design an interface that caters to all. The challenge was to create an intuitive, accessible platform that simplifies complex information and ensures that every visitor, regardless of their background, can effortlessly find what they need. The result is a user-friendly experience that bridges knowledge gaps and fosters seamless navigation through the wealth of resources available on the platform.

01 The Old Design

Our task in the NIÜ project was to design the user interface for their website. While the agency provided a clear information structure, the content itself was dense and overwhelming—especially for users unfamiliar with the world of innovation, startups, and funding. Our challenge was to transform this complex information into a clean, intuitive, and accessible interface that makes the ecosystem approachable for all users, regardless of their level of expertise.

02 Our Propositions

To address this challenge, we focused on creating a clear, user-friendly interface that prioritizes accessibility and ease of navigation. We introduced visual hierarchy, intuitive layout patterns, and interactive elements to break down the dense information into digestible sections. By using consistent iconography, simple language, and guided user flows, we made the content approachable for newcomers while still offering depth for experienced users. Our design ensures that each stakeholder—from students to investors—can quickly find relevant information and understand how to engage with the innovation ecosystem.

Click to open prototype

UI 1

This is our first design with rounded elements for a friendlier atmosphere.

Click to open prototype

UI 2

A more elegant design to reflect professionalism. We made it more approachable by incorporating the "NIÜ buddy" as a personal assistant to guide visitors through the page.