Hello Team 16,
We are very pleased to have received your first design concept, and it aligns well with our client’s needs. We will outline its strengths and areas requiring optimization in this post.
Highlights of the Proposal
Precisely Addressing Core Needs with High Integration of Culture and Functionality
This proposal deeply identifies the core pain points of the elderly—their sense of “unfamiliarity” and “alienation” toward Western medicine. By incorporating elements such as “the pillbox’s name (YAOBOX, where the Chinese character ‘ 药 (yào)’ directly links to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) cognition)”, “the neck-worn textile pouch (replicating the form of traditional aromatic sachets and decorated with Chinese-style patterns)”, “Siguixiang oil aromatherapy (evoking memories of TCM aromatic therapy)”, and “acupoint massage tools (integrating TCM physical therapy logic)”, TCM cultural symbols are naturally blended into the design of the modern pillbox. This not only effectively reduces the elderly’s psychological resistance to taking Western medicine but also builds a sense of “familiarity + security”. This design logic is highly aligned with the emotional needs of the target users and serves as the core advantage of the proposal.
The modular inner compartment can adapt to different medication dosages and frequencies, meeting personalized needs; the smart reminder function (screen display + proposed future LED dosage illumination) directly addresses the pain point of “missed doses”, improving medication adherence; the detachable massage accessories (L-shaped acupressure piece, beaded elastic strap) combine “medication taking” with “health maintenance”, expanding the product’s health value. The functional design not only focuses on the core of “medication management” but also extends to “TCM healing”, forming a differentiated advantage.
The extremely simple operation logic (avoiding complex buttons), neck-wearing method (replicating the wearing habit of traditional aromatic sachets without the need for additional learning), and familiar TCM sensory elements (aroma, massage texture) all take into account the elderly’s cognitive abilities and usage habits. These features lower the product’s usage threshold and reflect in-depth care for the target users.
Areas for Optimization
Enhancing Feasibility, Experience Details, and Functional Adaptability
- The proposal mentions the “scent ball + controlled-release perforations” design, yet fails to specify key details.
We would like to know if the scent ball is easy to replace. As the hand flexibility of the elderly tends to decrease, designs that “require disassembling complex structures” should be avoided. It is recommended to adopt a “snap-on scent ball” that can be taken out and replaced with bare hands. Meanwhile, a “replacement cycle indicator” should be marked (e.g., scales printed on the surface of the scent ball to facilitate judging the remaining amount).
- Details of the Beaded Elastic Strap
Is the fixing method of the elastic strap (secured at the edges with elastic bands) stable enough? The beaded strap may fall off during the elderly’s daily activities. It is recommended to optimize it to a “magnetic fixing” or “snap-fastener design”. At the same time, “smooth, non-angular beads” (such as silicone beads or polished wooden beads) should be used to prevent skin scratches during massage.
- Intelligent Assistance Features: Balancing “Convenience” and “Elderly Cognitive Habits”
The elderly often experience declining eyesight—so, is the screen font sufficiently large? Does it support “brightness adjustment” (to prevent eye strain from strong light or poor visibility in low light)? The “trigger method” for digital reminders needs to be simplified: for example, only a “confirmation button” should be set (press once to confirm viewing), avoiding multi-button operations.
The screen and the proposed future LED lighting rely on power. It is necessary to specify the “battery life” and design a “low-battery reminder” (e.g., screen flashing + slight vibration) to prevent missed reminders caused by silent power-off.
While the design of LEDs only illuminating the corresponding pill compartment can reduce medication retrieval errors, attention should be paid to this: if the elderly need to take medication at night (e.g., before bed), strong light may irritate their eyes and affect subsequent sleep. It is recommended to use “warm low-brightness LEDs” and design a “light sensing” function (automatically brightening during the day and dimming at night) to balance visibility and comfort.
- Other Details
- The length of the lanyard should be adjustable (e.g., with a sliding buckle) to suit elderly users of different heights.
- Is the inner compartment material “easy to clean and residue-proof”? After the elderly take medication, there may be drug powder residue. It is necessary to use “food-grade PP material” (waterproof and scrub-resistant), and the inner compartment should have a “no-dead-angle design” (to prevent dust accumulation in grooves). Meanwhile, the product should support “full disassembly for cleaning” (except for the screen module, the inner compartment and lid can be detached and washed with water).
- Some elderly people may need to take both Western medicine (e.g., blood pressure-lowering drugs) and Chinese patent medicine (e.g., pills) at the same time. Mixing them together may lead to “cross-contamination of drugs” or “taking the wrong medicine”. It is recommended that the inner compartment be designed with “color-coded grids” (e.g., blue grids for Western medicine and brown grids for Chinese patent medicine), and labeled with “Western Medicine Area / Chinese Patent Medicine Area”.
Additionally, our design proposal has also been uploaded to our design website simultaneously. You may provide us with feedback on your thoughts and suggestions.If you have time, please let us know—we can reserve time for an online meeting between our two teams. This will facilitate the next step in advancing our design process and the client feedback workflow.