Thryve
Role
Lead UI Designer
UX Designer
UX Researcher
Team
UX researcher
2 UX Designers
Tools
Figma
Adobe Photoshop
Duration
12 weeks
Bridging the Gap Between Uncertainty and Action in Skin Health
Skinspect is an innovative mobile application designed to empower users by providing AI-driven skin condition detection. With long wait times for dermatology appointments and unreliable online self-diagnosis, Skinspect serves as an immediate and credible solution. Integrated with Kaiser Permanente, it enhances accessibility to expert dermatology support, offering users a seamless preventive care tool.
Long Wait Times & Anxiety in Skin Health Assessments
Despite advancements in dermatology, many individuals face prolonged waiting times for specialist consultations and struggle with the uncertainty of skin conditions. Misinformation from online searches often exacerbates anxiety rather than providing clarity.
Key Pain Points
32-day average wait time for dermatology appointments in the U.S.
Over-reliance on unverified online searches, leading to misinformation.
Lack of immediate guidance, causing stress and uncertainty.
Background Findings
Access to timely dermatological care remains a challenge, leaving many individuals uncertain about their skin health. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to more severe conditions, even when early intervention could have provided simple solutions.
Key findings from research include:
1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer by the age of 70
Many skin conditions can be treated early with over-the-counter solutions
Kaiser Permanente dermatology wait times average 10 days, even for members
These findings emphasize the need for immediate, accessible, and preventative skin health solutions that empower users to take control of their care.
Competitive Analysis
Most dermatology apps fall short—either relying on basic image scans with no medical oversight or requiring long wait times for results
No existing solution combines instant AI-driven skin assessments with seamless healthcare integration
Many apps leave users unsure of what to do next, creating friction and delays in care
Skinspect fills this gap, providing immediate insights and direct access to trusted healthcare providers, so users can take action with confidence
User Research & Interviews
We conducted 10+ user interviews to understand pain points in skin health monitoring.
"I went online to Google search and couldn’t figure it out, so I went to the doctor."
"Waiting for a dermatology appointment made me anxious and stressed."
Meet Allison
A 35-year-old technology professional living in the city. She is passionate about skincare and wellness, driven by a family history of skin issues. As a proactive and health-conscious individual, she follows a strict skincare regimen and values modern, tech-enabled solutions to monitor and protect her skin. She is a Kaiser Permanente member and appreciates the convenience of telehealth services for managing her health efficiently.
Allison seeks a reliable way to track changes in her skin and quickly assess the severity of potential concerns. She is disciplined, detail-oriented, and always looking for innovative tools to enhance her skincare routine.
How might we empower users with immediate, AI-driven skin assessments and seamless access to professional dermatology care?
User Journey Mapping
We visualized Allison’s emotional journey, from noticing a skin concern to seeking medical attention, highlighting frustrations and opportunities for intervention.
Mind Mapping & Ideation
Brainstormed key pain points, sketched early concepts, and aligned on the best solution.
Wireframing & Low-Fidelity Sketches
I explored various layouts to ensure an intuitive and seamless user experience. The focus was on:
Simple, guided flows for quick skin assessments
Clear call-to-actions to connect users with healthcare providers
Minimal cognitive load for easy navigation
These early sketches helped shape the foundation for a design that is efficient, user-friendly, and accessible to all.
Testing Methodology
To refine Skinspect’s usability, I conducted 5 rounds of testing with both remote and in-person users. The goal was to assess ease of use, clarity of guidance, and overall user experience.
Testing Format: Remote & in-person sessions
Tools Used: Clickable Figma prototype
Session Duration: ~10 minutes per user
These sessions provided valuable insights, helping to fine-tune interactions and ensure a seamless, user-friendly experience.
Key Improvements Based on Feedback
User testing revealed areas where clarity, accessibility, and guidance could be improved to create a more seamless experience. Based on feedback, key refinements included:
Perceivability
Improved contrast and visual hierarchy for better readability
Predictability
Enhanced iconography and CTA clarity to make navigation more intuitive
Feedback & Guidance
Added educational tooltips and next-step recommendations to help
The Solution: Skinspect’s Core Features
Skinspect was designed to make skin health assessments fast, accurate, and actionable. By combining AI-driven analysis with seamless healthcare integration, users can quickly understand their skin concerns and take the right next steps.
AI-Powered Skin Scanning
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- Designed an interface to display risk levels (low, moderate, high) based on a conceptual AI analysis model
- Created a visual system that mimics how real-time feedback could be presented
Concept for Healthcare Integration
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- Explored how the UI could support seamless onboarding for insured members
- Designed data input fields that align with secure, compliant healthcare standards
- Conceptualized direct access pathways to dermatologists for follow-ups
Clear User Guidance
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- Developed step-by-step scanning instructions for capturing high-quality images
- Integrated intuitive CTAs that guide users to their next steps based on risk level
Anticipated Outcomes
By providing instant AI-driven assessments and seamless healthcare integration, Skinspect empowers users to take proactive steps in managing their skin health, making early detection more accessible, actionable, and reassuring.
Expected benefits include:
Reduction in Anxiety
Immediate AI feedback helps minimize uncertainty and stress
Faster Preventive Action
Clear guidance encourages users to seek timely consultations
Enhanced User Confidence
Reliable detection fosters trust in the app and its accuracy
Key Metrics
Skinspect’s design and functionality aim to drive real-world impact by improving accessibility to dermatological care and empowering users to take action sooner. By streamlining skin assessments and connecting users with trusted healthcare providers, Skinspect enhances efficiency, confidence, and preventive care.
Expected measurable outcomes include:
20% reduction
in missed dermatology appointments
35% faster
decision-making on seeking professional care
50% increase
in user confidence for self-monitoring skin conditions
Interactive User Experience
The Skinspect prototype explores how AI-driven skin assessments could improve preventive care through intuitive UX design. The goal was to conceptualize a seamless experience that guides users from scanning a skin concern to understanding potential next steps.
Simulated AI-Powered Skin Scan
Designed an interface that mimics AI-driven analysis, presenting risk level assessments (low, moderate, high) to help users gauge skin concerns
Healthcare Integration Concept
Explored how the UI could support potential integration with providers like Kaiser Permanente, ensuring secure data input fields and easy access to specialists for further evaluation
Guided Image Capture Flow
Created an intuitive step-by-step scanning process with visual cues for optimal photo accuracy, ensuring users capture clear and reliable images
Personalized Results & Next Steps
Designed a risk-based assessment with possible conditions, actionable recommendations, and the option to schedule a consultation or track changes over time
By combining AI-driven insights with user-friendly navigation, Skinspect empowers users to take proactive steps in managing their skin health with confidence.
Key Takeaways
Developing Skinspect was a dynamic and iterative process, focused on solving a design thinking challenge by balancing user needs, accessibility, and usability. The project explored how AI-driven skin assessments could enhance preventive care through thoughtful UX design while ensuring a seamless user experience.
The three key takeaways are:
Designed a solution that aligns user needs with preventive care principles
Addressed design challenges in creating a trustworthy and intuitive experience
Iteratively refined the UI based on user testing, ensuring clarity and usability
This project reinforced the importance of human-centered design in healthcare technology and provided valuable insights for future explorations in AI-integrated UX solutions
Future Improvements
While Skinspect successfully addressed a design thinking challenge around AI-driven skin assessments, there are opportunities to refine and expand the concept further. Future iterations could enhance usability, accessibility, and integration to create a more robust experience.
Expand features to support more comprehensive user flows and diverse skin concerns
Streamline steps to make the assessment process even more intuitive and efficient
Explore partnerships with additional healthcare providers to improve access and credibility
These improvements would help bridge the gap between early skin health assessments and professional care, ensuring a seamless, user-friendly experience.
Other Projects
Exploring Ideas & Possibilities—Let’s Connect!
I’m always excited to chat about UX Engineering, 3D Design, and all things XR. Whether you're a recruiter, collaborator, or just curious about my work, let’s connect! I’m also passionate about mentorship—so if you’re looking for guidance or want to talk shop, I’d love to chat!
