ONCOVERYCARE
Designing From Scratch
I revisit and reimagine a project I first began in Spring 2022 during my freshman year: designing an app experience for cancer survivors. The original project was initiated in collaboration with Hil Moss, CEO and co-founder of a digital health company focused on survivorship, and supported early on by Hannah, Director of the Health Domain at IDEO, who introduced me to the UI/UX world and helped guide my first steps in user-centered research. That initial phase involved synthesizing user interviews and drafting various concepts. Now, four years later, I’ve returned to the project with a more mature perspective—scrapping all of my original designs and starting fresh. I coupled the foundational research from 2022 with new, in-depth research to explore how emerging technologies and updated resources can better support the evolving needs of cancer survivors, with the goal of creating a more personal, empowering, and equitable experience.
Date
Feb 2025 - Apr 2025
My Role
UX Researcher, Product Designer
Tools
Figma, Figjam, Miro
Team
Designer: Maxine Tam
UX Research (initial): Hannah Williams
RESEARCH & IDEATION
LISTENING TO LIVED EXPERIENCES
PRIMARY RESEARCH - SURVIVOR INTERVIEWS
To ground the project in real needs, I conducted in-depth interviews with over 10 cancer survivors ranging from ages 25 to 65. Most participants had experienced breast cancer, though voices from other cancer journeys were also included. Survivors shared insights about life before, during, and after treatment — revealing physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that shaped their survivorship. Their stories highlighted a strong desire for holistic healing support, beyond clinical care.
IDENTITY SHIFT
“In treatment you’re the warrior, on the podium…when you’re in remission, you fall off that spotlight…I’m 57 years old and trying to figure out who I am after treatment.”
IDENTITY SHIFT
“There are so many cancer-related videos everywhere — constant reminders in television, movies, and media — and it can be really triggering.”
IDENTITY SHIFT
“Even with a really good support system, I need a safe space to process unfiltered, especially with toxic positivity that unintentionally comes in from family and friends.”
IMMERSING IN PATIENT JOURNEYS
To supplement the interviews, I immersed myself in the wider world of cancer survivorship by reading blogs, memoirs, and expert writings. I explored survivors' journeys across different stages: pre-treatment anxieties, coping during active treatment, and navigating life post-treatment. I also studied survivorship resources from medical experts, therapists, and official health organizations to identify common gaps and opportunities for innovation.
SECONDARY RESEARCH - BLOGS, VIDEOS, EXPERT INSIGHT
73%
of survivors report at least one physical health problem
(National Institute of Health)
26%
of cancer survivors experience
higher suicide risk
(The ASCO Post)
22%
of survivors experience a lifetime prevalence of PTSD
(Siteman Cancer Center)
45.8%
of survivors report suffering
from anxiety on a daily basis
(PMC)
ANALYZING THE LANDSCAPE
I analyzed existing digital health and support platforms, examining how they served (or failed to serve) cancer survivors. While some platforms offered valuable clinical information or mental health resources, very few integrated emotional, physical, and social healing in a holistic, user-friendly way. Many experiences felt sterile, overwhelming, or impersonal — reinforcing the need for a survivor-first, human-centered design approach.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS - HEALTH & SUPPORT PLATFORMS
BUILDING SURVIVORS PERSONAS
SYNTHESIS - USER PERSONAS
Based on insights gathered from interviews, secondary research, and competitive analysis, I developed detailed personas representing different survivor journeys. These personas captured key demographics, emotional states, motivations, needs, and barriers — ensuring that every design decision remained anchored in the real experiences of those we aimed to support.
Secondary Persona - Caregiver
Secondary Persona - Medical Professional
EMILY ELRIDGE
Maria is a 42-year-old breast cancer survivor living in Los Angeles, two months post-treatment. She works as a nonprofit program manager and is a mother of two young children. Having just completed an intense chapter of medical care, Maria is beginning to confront the emotional and physical aftermath of cancer. Though her doctors consider her treatment complete, Maria feels far from "healed." She's navigating a confusing and vulnerable phase—no longer a patient, yet uncertain how to live as a survivor. Quietly overwhelmed and emotionally fatigued, she’s looking for meaningful guidance and a supportive community that understands her journey.
USER TRAITS
• Heal holistically by restoring physical strength and processing the emotional toll of cancer in a sustainable, gentle, and empowering wayx
• Build meaningful connections with others who truly understand and share her survivorship experience
• Reclaim and rebuild life by creating sustainable habits, routines, and a renewed sense of identity that support long-term healing and fit her roles as a mother and professional
• Heal holistically by restoring physical strength and processing the emotional toll of cancer in a sustainable, gentle, and empowering wayx
• Build meaningful connections with others who truly understand and share her survivorship experience
• Reclaim and rebuild life by creating sustainable habits, routines, and a renewed sense of identity that support long-term healing and fit her roles as a mother and professional
GOALS
PAIN POINTS
• Needs emotional support to process complex feelings, manage fear of recurrence, and navigate her evolving post-cancer identity
• Needs genuine community connection to share stories, feel seen, and bond with others who truly understand her experiences
• Needs practical, personalized tools to rebuild strength, restore routines, and form wellness habits that fit her body and life post-cancer
NEEDS
ORGANIZING EARLY INSIGHT
MIND MAPPING
After completing my research, I created a mind map to consolidate all the ideas, needs, and patterns uncovered during interviews and secondary research. This visual exercise helped me spot overarching themes and smaller nuances — giving me a clearer understanding of how different aspects of survivorship connected and influenced each other.
ANALYZING THE LANDSCAPE
I analyzed existing digital health and support platforms, examining how they served (or failed to serve) cancer survivors. While some platforms offered valuable clinical information or mental health resources, very few integrated emotional, physical, and social healing in a holistic, user-friendly way. Many experiences felt sterile, overwhelming, or impersonal — reinforcing the need for a survivor-first, human-centered design approach.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS - HEALTH & SUPPORT PLATFORMS
CURRENT PAIN POINTS
DESIGN GOALS
