Your trusted Ally in caring for your loved ones from afar.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Role: UX, UI Design
Time: October-December 2023
Ally NRI
NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) often find it challenging to support their elderly parents in India while living abroad. This challenge is exacerbated by the difficulty of trusting strangers for assistance and the impracticality of traveling to India for every minor task, such as house repairs, medical tests, or even booking group vacations for their parents.​​
Tools: Figma
SOLUTION
The primary goal was to create a user-friendly app, AllyNRI, that allows NRIs to remotely access and manage essential services for their elderly parents in India. This initiative addressed the prevalent challenges faced by NRIs,
particularly the difficulty of providing timely assistance for minor tasks and
the struggle to trust strangers for their parents' well-being
RESEARCH
I have conducted user interviews with 15 NRIs to understand their challenges and needs.
78% of users feel isolated and helpless when unable to assist parents, highlighting the critical need for remote support
INSIGHTS
NRIs expressed a sense of isolation and helplessness when immediate support for their parents was needed.
Recurring tasks like home maintenance and medical assistance emerged as common and time-sensitive needs.
Difficulty trusting strangers for tasks, from basic repairs to medical arrangements, was a consistent concern.
I moved to Berlin for my studies and just landed in a job. My mother lives all alone in Delhi and cannot do all the household work by herself and I feel guilty and helpless.
I miss my parents. They’re old and sometimes need help with little things. Wish I could be with them and take care of them.
EMPATHY MAP
SAYS
THINKS
FEELS
DOES
"Trusting others with their care is a constant worry."
"I feel helpless when I can't be there for my parents."
"Tasks like house repairs or medical appointments are a challenge from abroad."
"I wish I could provide immediate support from a distance."
"Exploring solutions to simplify and streamline assistance for my parents' needs."
"The safety and well-being of my parents are my top concerns."
"It's frustrating not being able to handle simple tasks remotely."
"I often feel guilty for not being physically present when they need help."
"Worrying about my parents handling things alone brings a lot of stress."
"The thought of my parents facing challenges alone makes me anxious."
"I frequently make calls to check on them and coordinate assistance."
"I handle documentation for visas and medical appointments from abroad."
"I work together with my friends or family members to help take care of my parents and support each other."
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
In the initial phase of conceptualizing the application's structure and determining the placement of its features, I formulated an application map. This map served as a strategic guide to arrange screens in a manner that prioritizes both logic and user intuitiveness.
I initiated the exploration of user interactions through task flows. These flows provided insights into the sequential progression of user actions, delineating the screens and actions involved in executing key tasks within the app.
SKETCHES AND WIREFRAMES
PROTOTYPES
Simplifying the design, I consolidated key services on the Homescreen, opting for clarity over the initial approach with image carousels and larger icons. In the lo-fi usability study, half of the users (5 out of 10) noted an information overload with the previous design's abundance of text and large images.
Homescreen
Before & After
Lo-fi Prototype
Hi-fi Prototype
UI DESIGN
Buttons and Icons
Color Palette
TYPOGRAPHY
Used in the
app are
listed
here
(Aleo Regular)
(Bree Serif Regular)
(Inter Medium)
(Roboto Regular)
(Gothic A1 Semi Bold)
FINAL OUTCOME
Testing
Ten potential users participated in a usability test, tasked specifically with booking a service under "Home Services" within the Ally NRI app. This focused examination allowed for precise insights into user interactions and preferences regarding the booking process.
Four user expressed to be able to book more services in the same section without navigating to the Home page
Iterations
A "More Services" button was added. The refinement enhances the overall clarity and efficiency of the service booking process for a more user-centric journey.
This adjustment aimed to streamline the experience, allowing users to effortlessly book additional services without the need to navigate back to the home page and reselect "Home Services."
This conceptual project, Ally NRI, holds personal significance as an NRI myself navigating remote caregiving challenges. This conceptual journey not only aimed to improve user experience but mirrored my personal quest for seamless connectivity with my parents.
From ideation to prototyping, the iterative process reflects design evolution and my commitment to continuous growth and innovation. This dual exploration—enhancing user experiences and advancing my design skills—defines the Ally NRI project's impact.