Creating a purpose driven solution to combat the pandemic*
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I joined forces with a team of technologists, creative thinkers, and the startup studio Fliptin to co-create a free, user-centric platform with a singular mission: help society return safely to public life. With the world grappling with uncertainty, we aimed to design a solution that was practical, respectful of privacy, and rooted in empathy.
What We Built: Core Features That Matter*
Securely capturing and managing personal status data including health assessments, symptom checks, quarantine status, and travel history the system allowed authorities and institutions to make informed, real-time decisions about who could safely enter or exit specific environments. .
Whether it was helping someone return to work, access medical care, or reunite with loved ones, the platform played a vital role in enabling a more confident, coordinated, and compassionate transition out of lockdown.
From Insight to Innovation: Where the Idea Began*
As governments around the world searched for ways to reboot their economies and resume daily life, it became clear that collecting personal data safely and ethically would be crucial. But this also raised concerns around privacy, accessibility, and trust. We knew the solution had to be transparent, secure, and above all, human.
A Human-Centered Process*
01. Research
We conducted user interviews, diary studies, and competitor analyses to deeply understand user needs, environmental context, and gaps in existing solutions.
02. Define
Armed with insights, we crafted clear, actionable problem statements to ensure we were solving the right problems for the right people.
03. Design
Using rapid prototyping, we built low-fidelity concepts quickly and affordably—allowing us to test ideas, spark dialogue, and refine the user experience early in the process.
04. Validate
With an MVP in hand, we launched the platform into the market and began gathering feedback to learn, iterate, and evolve with real user behavior and needs.
Recommendations & Reflections*
Through ongoing interviews with both users and non-users, it became clear that trust was a major barrier. Many individuals felt uncertain about how their data would be used, and disconnected from the institutions providing the tools. It reminded us that successful digital solutions aren’t just about functionality they must build confidence, enable transparency, and empower people in moments that matter most.