Kirjoittaja: Alina Korotovskaia
In the heart of the Active Arctic project lies a profound focus: nurturing digital environments and solutions that bolster the well-being and economic landscape of sparsely populated regions. As a digital usability specialist, I embarked on an exhilarating journey within this initiative, contributing my skills to craft innovative solutions that make a tangible impact.
Crafting “Weltti”: A One-Stop Online Well-being platform
One of my tasks involved the development of an online well-being platform named “Weltti”. Collaborating with a service designer, we translated a brainstormed idea, inspired by insightful workshops with entrepreneurs from the IT and healthcare sectors, into a tangible prototype. “Weltti” aimed to seamlessly combine the offerings of various well-being companies under one digital roof.
Using Figma I created web app prototype, ensuring a user-centric design that would resonate with the platform’s potential users. In order to make Weltti efficient and user-friendly, we planed testing rounds, engaging individuals from various backgrounds, including IT and healthcare entrepreneurs. The feedback we gathered guided us in refining the prototype, a process that led to iterative corrections and enhancements.
Furthermore, recognizing the diverse needs of different well-being companies, we crafted use-case scenarios tailored to set of services they offer. This fortified the platform’s viability and user relevance. An example of this was our partnership with Aslakin Liike, a gym located in Kittilä, where we tested an interactive prototype alongside a static printouts within comprehensive questionnaire.
To wrap up the outcomes we delved use-case videos for enterprises like Kotihoitto Ulpukka (elderly care) and TMI Polku (work counseling). These videos, along with a questionnaire, helped to gather feedback, drawing insights from varied perspectives.
Elevating Memory Support: A collaborative “FINGER” model-based Game Prototype
In parallel, my engagement extended to another noteworthy project: the creation of a “FINGER” model-based game in collaboration with Muisti ry. “FINGER” is an operational model to prevent cognitive impairment among older people.
Tasked with designing memory-supportive games for the elderly, I embarked on research to identify methodologies best suited for senior players. Drawing inspiration from design practices tailored for seniors, such as simplistic visuals, high contrast, and upscaled fonts, collaboration over competition, etc. I designed a lo-fi prototype on Figma. This interactive representation paved the way for feedback from stakeholders, which proved crucial in refining the concept.
The collaborative journey continued as Frostbit working team, embarked on creating a high-fidelity prototype on a game engine. This iteration undergo testing with senior customers at Muisti ry, ensuring its alignment with the intended audience’s needs and preferences.
Pioneering Change in Sparsely Populated Areas
My work within the Active Arctic project was nothing short of transformative. Through “Weltti” and the memory-supportive game prototype, I contributed to pioneering digital solutions that transcend geographical boundaries. The experience illuminated the power of collaboration, empathy-driven design, and iterative enhancement in sculpting solutions that cater to real-life needs. As the project continues to shape the digital landscape of sparsely populated regions, I’m honored to have been a part of this journey towards enhancing well-being and quality of life.
Image: by Lubos Volkov for UX Store (Unsplash) https://unsplash.com/photos/jJT2r2n7lYA