The Challenge
The Codeathon challenged developers & designers to build original, functional app prototypes based on key women’s health issues. Leaders from tech, innovation, & health fields mentor participants & judge final presentations including the Clinton Foundation’s Health Matters Initiative, Jawbone & Ace Hotel.
Role
Lead product direction and research.
Designed user experience and interface.
Our team's app focused on making WIC more efficient and reducing confusion spent while purchasing items.
The user sends a text-based photo of the UPC and the app returns with whether or not the product is WIC-approved, information, and a link to learn more about the product
The Research
The app was informed by a blog post about a family's first experience using their WIC benefits. About a third of what they were thinking of purchasing wasn't available on WIC and they weren't entirely clear as to why since the feedback on the register just says something like "not approved/not a WIC item." We were worried that if we created a smartphone-only app, we would miss a large portion of the population that is on or would qualify for WIC since only about 58% had a smart phone in 2014. (source)
Supplemental information available via link in text message
The user sends a photo of the UPC to the app, which accesses a database of WIC-approved items to find out if that item would be accepted before reaching the register. The app aims to reduce stigma and encourage participation in WIC. Using WIC as an entry point for low-income women, as they are no longer eligible for WIC, the app is would filter to new needs making it scaleable for the users.
After two days of working, our demo was functional and a test user could enter a few products to find out information relating to them.