N=You: A Smart Skin Tracking System
Creating a digital and printable system enabling users to track eczema symptoms through structured experimentation
Role
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Mobile UX/UI
Design System
Team
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Sole Designer
Tools
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Figma
InDesign
After Effects
Context
N=You is a smart skin-tracking system designed to help users log symptoms, test routines, and compare results, generating insights and reports to support more productive medical conversations.
This project represents the beginning of a product cycle from problem analysis and research to ideation, concept development, and design exploration. I was the sole designer on this project, responsible for research, problem definition, solution conceptualization, and component design. This work was completed as part of an Interaction Design Studio course at CMU.
Problem Space
Eczema is hard to track, and without formal support, key patterns and insights often get lost or forgotten
Without a structured way to document patterns and insights, it’s hard to communicate clearly with doctors or make informed decisions about care. Eczema requires ongoing attention and management to prevent long-term impact on well-being.
Solution Preview
N=You simplifies eczema management by turning daily skin care into a personalized learning process
The system helps users log symptoms and care routines, identify patterns, and visualize progress over time. By transforming scattered observations into clear insights, N=You empowers users to better understand their skin and engage in more informed, productive conversations with their doctors.
Research
Conducting interviews with individuals living with eczema to learn how they track symptoms, identify triggers, and manage care routines
I interviewed 6 people and conducted 2 contextual inquiries to learn how individuals with eczema track symptoms in daily life. Participants described relying on scattered notes, photos, or memory, often feeling frustrated by the lack of tools that fit naturally into daily life.
Translating generative research findings into clear principles that will shape and guide design decisions
Based on this research, my key insights and design question turned out to be:
Storyboarding
Exploring a wide range of ideas without constraints to generate ideas and possibilities through storyboarding
I began by imagining different ways people might track and manage eczema in their daily lives, generating concepts freely to uncover creative possibilities. This open-ended approach allowed me to explore diverse interactions, features, and experiences.
Feedback helped refine these ideas, grounding them in practical constraints and realities
Through input from speed dating, I narrowed the concepts to focus on what was both feasible and valuable for users.
Final Solution
Structured tools and shareable reports help users uncover patterns and advocate for better care
[1] The Scientific Method as a Model
The design system encourages users to think like scientists by setting up their own structured “experiments”. The mobile app guides users in creating control and treatment groups, logging symptoms, and spotting potential triggers over time.
[2] Considering All Variables
Users can select symptoms and track routines, while the app suggests patterns to explore. This guidance helps them notice potential triggers and better understand their skin care habits.
[3] Sharing for Support
N=You generates digital or printable reports, making it easier to share progress with doctors or caregivers. This feature fosters collaboration, reduces feelings of isolation, and strengthens user confidence in managing their care.
Next Steps
Focusing on validating and refining N=You through measurable goals in design, business, and development
Through feedback from peers and instructors, I refined the narrative flow and interaction details, shaping a concept that felt both realistic and empowering for users managing chronic skin conditions.
Reflections
From Science Research to Design Research
This project helped me turn research into something real and useful while also incorporating my background in science. I learned how to take big scientific ideas and make them simple and personal so people can better understand their skin, not just track symptoms.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Ashley Deal and Raelynn O’Leary for their guidance and feedback throughout the project, which helped shape the research and design direction.
Special thanks to Joseph Ratliff and Eindra Lin for participating in the concept video, and to Lorin Anderberg for providing the voiceover that brought the concept video to life.
And to everyone who participated in user testing or shared feedback, thank you.
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