Work > College Project > A Mobile App for Diabetic Teens
Work > College Project > A Mobile App for Diabetic Teens
Glucoguard
Glucoguard
3 min
3 min
Introduction
Introduction
GlucoGuard is a mobile app I co-designed to help Gen Z teens manage diabetes independently. It syncs with CGM devices, sends real-time caregiver alerts, and includes school-safe, privacy-focused features.
GlucoGuard is a mobile app I co-designed to help Gen Z teens manage diabetes independently. It syncs with CGM devices, sends real-time caregiver alerts, and includes school-safe, privacy-focused features.
Backed by research and built with empathy, we won 2nd place and received $1,000 funding at a university innovation showcase.
Backed by research and built with empathy, we won 2nd place and received $1,000 funding at a university innovation showcase.
Role
Role
User Researcher
User Researcher
Market Researcher
Market Researcher
UI Design
UI Design
Duration
Duration
4 Months
4 Months
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Google Docs
Google Docs
Miro
Miro
Overview
Overview
Glucoguard helps teens manage diabetes by syncing with CGMs, sending caregiver alerts, and logging health data. It's research-driven and school-ready.
Glucoguard helps teens manage diabetes by syncing with CGMs, sending caregiver alerts, and logging health data. It's research-driven and school-ready.
Background
Background
We inherited this project after a previous team version failed to meet client expectations. We restarted with new research and a fresh design approach.
Objective
Objective
Design a teen-friendly diabetes app that ensures safety, supports independence, and keeps caregivers informed without invading privacy.
The Problem
The Problem
Teens struggle to manage diabetes alone, and caregivers don’t get timely updates during emergencies. Current apps are either too controlling or not teen-focused.
The Challenge
The Challenge
Balance caregiver alerts with teen privacy, send timely notifications, and rebuild client trust through a reliable and teen-friendly solution.
Design Timeline
Research
Address a challenge for patient safety in Diabetes
Customer Discovery- Primary and Secondary Research
Market Insights and Competitor Benchmarking
Design
Designed high-fidelity, teen-friendly UI
Launch
Opportunities to solve
for and MVP
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Why This Problem Matters?
Why This Problem Matters?
1 out of 10 people living in United States have diabetes
1 out of 10 people living in United States have diabetes
Age of diabetic people in the U.S.
Age of diabetic people in the U.S.
30Million
30Million
People diagnosed with diabetes by year 2024
People diagnosed with diabetes by year 2024
We chose to focus on Gen Z teens because most diabetes apps target Millennials and Baby Boomers leaving this younger group overlooked and underserved.
We chose to focus on Gen Z teens because most diabetes apps target Millennials and Baby Boomers leaving this younger group overlooked and underserved.
35%
Gen X
15%
Baby
Boomers
13%
Gen Z
35%
Millennials
The market offers a limited selection
for devices that are designed for children
The market offers a limited selection
for devices that are designed for children
Current market is flooded with
devices that are designed for adults
Current market is flooded with
devices that are designed for adults
5,300
5,300
New cases are diagnosed annually.
New cases are diagnosed annually.
Diabetes amongst Teens.
Diabetes amongst Teens.
< 20 min
< 20 min
Severe symptoms like sweating, inability to concentrate, and fainting can build rapidly, if blood glucose levels continue to drop without intervention.
Severe symptoms like sweating, inability to concentrate, and fainting can build rapidly, if blood glucose levels continue to drop without intervention.
CUSTOMER DISCOVERY
CUSTOMER DISCOVERY
What we heard from real people
What we heard from real people
We didn’t just design a solution, we listened first. These voices reveal what it’s really like to manage diabetes as a child or parent.
We didn’t just design a solution, we listened first. These voices reveal what it’s really like to manage diabetes as a child or parent.
Quotes
Quotes
"I want to be treated like a normal person even when I have my CGM on my arm."
"I want to be treated like a normal person even when I have my CGM on my arm."
From a teen with diabetes
From a teen with diabetes
“Diabetes is a constant balancing act food, family, meds, emotions, everything.”
From a parent
“Diabetes is a constant balancing act food, family, meds, emotions, everything.”
From a parent
"At first I didn’t know what to do. Now I always carry juice or chocolate just in case."
From a child who experienced hypoglycemia
"At first I didn’t know what to do. Now I always carry juice or chocolate just in case."
From a child who experienced hypoglycemia
"If you’re stressed, no matter how much insulin you take, your sugar won’t be normal."
From a parent
"If you’re stressed, no matter how much insulin you take, your sugar won’t be normal."
From a parent
“What the app says and what works for me are totally different.”
From a teen with diabetes
“What the app says and what works for me are totally different.”
From a teen with diabetes
Key Pain Points
Key Pain Points
Parents may not be nearby. It takes time for them to inform teachers or school staff.
Parents may not be nearby. It takes time for them to inform teachers or school staff.
Caregivers might not know the child has diabetes or how to respond.
Caregivers might not know the child has diabetes or how to respond.
Children might feel scared, confused, or unsure how to act during a low blood sugar episode.
Children might feel scared, confused, or unsure how to act during a low blood sugar episode.
Gains (What families & kids want)
Gains (What families & kids want)
The app automatically informs the teacher, coach, or caregiver, not just the parent.
The app automatically informs the teacher, coach, or caregiver, not just the parent.
Caregivers nearby can take action immediately — like giving juice or calling emergency help.
Caregivers nearby can take action immediately — like giving juice or calling emergency help.
Parents feel more relaxed knowing someone close to their child will be notified instantly.
Parents feel more relaxed knowing someone close to their child will be notified instantly.
The child can go about their day without being constantly supervised by parents.
The child can go about their day without being constantly supervised by parents.
THE ECOSYSTEM MAP
THE ECOSYSTEM MAP
Who’s Involved in Keeping a Teen with Diabetes Safe?
Who’s Involved in Keeping a Teen with Diabetes Safe?
This map helped us understand how everyone from parents and teachers to doctors and pharmacies is connected in a child’s diabetes care journey.
This map helped us understand how everyone from parents and teachers to doctors and pharmacies is connected in a child’s diabetes care journey.
Primary Users
Primary Users
Children under 18 with diabetes
Their Parents or Primary Caregivers
Direct Stakeholder
Direct Stakeholder
Health Professionals
Emergency Caregiver
Nutritionists
Indirect Stakeholder
Indirect Stakeholder
Family members
Pharmacics
Insurance Providers
We decided to focus on parents of teens living with diabetes.
We decided to focus on parents of teens living with diabetes.
While the teen is the one using the app and CGM (glucose monitor), parents are the ones most anxious when their child is alone at school, with friends, or outside.
While the teen is the one using the app and CGM (glucose monitor), parents are the ones most anxious when their child is alone at school, with friends, or outside.
Primary User
Parents
Specific Problem
Need to be
informed about
Emergencies!
Dietery concerns!
Check glucose
levels
Worry about
kids health
Stakeholders
Healthcare
Professional
Pharmacics
INsurance
companies
Pain Relevers
Intergartion with
CGM apps
Actionable
alerts on an app
Dietary guidance
USER JOURNEY MAPPING
USER JOURNEY MAPPING
Parent's Daily Struggle
Parent's Daily Struggle
Parents of kids with diabetes often start the day normally drop their child at school and go to work.
Then suddenly, they get a scary alert: low sugar levels.
Worried and anxious, they spend the rest of the day calling the school and checking in.
This shows how stressful and unpredictable their daily life can be.
Parents of kids with diabetes often start the day normally drop their child at school and go to work.
Then suddenly, they get a scary alert: low sugar levels.
Worried and anxious, they spend the rest of the day calling the school and checking in.
This shows how stressful and unpredictable their daily life can be.
Teen with Diabetes
Teen with Diabetes
A Teen with diabetes follows a strict routine every day.
They constantly check their sugar levels, track carbs in their meals, and eat on time to stay safe.
Missing a meal or too much activity can cause sudden drops in sugar.
In emergencies, they call a caregiver, and an alert goes to their parents.
A Teen with diabetes follows a strict routine every day.
They constantly check their sugar levels, track carbs in their meals, and eat on time to stay safe.
Missing a meal or too much activity can cause sudden drops in sugar.
In emergencies, they call a caregiver, and an alert goes to their parents.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
When a child’s glucose drops, alerts reach parents. Delay in communication time between parents to nearby caregivers puts the child’s health at risk.
When a child’s glucose drops, alerts reach parents. Delay in communication time between parents to nearby caregivers puts the child’s health at risk.
INTRODUCING GLUCOGUARD
INTRODUCING GLUCOGUARD
GlucoGuard is a mobile app designed especially for teens with diabetes. It connects with existing CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) devices to make diabetes management safer, easier, and less stressful for both teens and their parents.
GlucoGuard is a mobile app designed especially for teens with diabetes. It connects with existing CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) devices to make diabetes management safer, easier, and less stressful for both teens and their parents.
Devices that pair with Glucoguard
Devices that pair with Glucoguard
Their default app allows to “Connect other app” and share real time updates or alerts
Their default app allows to “Connect other app” and share real time updates or alerts
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
How do we reduce the delay?
How do we reduce the delay?
On the app, the parent can add a custom caregiver who is able to receive alerts in emergencies.
On the app, the parent can add a custom caregiver who is able to receive alerts in emergencies.
OTHER FEATURES
OTHER FEATURES
Nutritional Bot & Logger
Nutritional Bot & Logger
AI powered chatbot that scans images and keeps logs of food intake and nutritions
AI powered chatbot that scans images and keeps logs of food intake and nutritions
Track Fitness
Track Fitness
Integrates daily steps via apple fitness of the child and relates with the glucose levels
Integrates daily steps via apple fitness of the child and relates with the glucose levels
Generate Trend Reports
Generate Trend Reports
Generates bi-weekly reports of the trends glucose levels based on user history
Generates bi-weekly reports of the trends glucose levels based on user history
POTENTIAL FOR GLUCOGUARD
POTENTIAL FOR GLUCOGUARD
Market Opportunity
Market Opportunity
According to Mordor Intelligence, the Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices market is projected to grow from $11.63 billion in 2024 to $21.32 billion by 2029.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices market is projected to grow from $11.63 billion in 2024 to $21.32 billion by 2029.
352K
352K
Teens in the U.S
Teens in the U.S
Have been diagnosed with diabetes by the year 2021
Have been diagnosed with diabetes by the year 2021
12.9%
12.9%
Expected Growth Rate
Expected Growth Rate
For Continuous glucose monitoring devices market annually
For Continuous glucose monitoring devices market annually
This shows a rapidly growing market driven by increased diabetes awareness, better health tracking tech, and a rising need for smarter management tools.
Competitor
Competitor
Partnership!
Partnership!
Why GlucoGuard Partners, Not Competes?
Why GlucoGuard Partners, Not Competes?
Companies allow external apps to integrate
with their devices. That means glucoguard doesn’t
need to build its own sensor it simply connects to
the ones users already trust and use.
Companies allow external apps to integrate
with their devices. That means glucoguard doesn’t
need to build its own sensor it simply connects to
the ones users already trust and use.
Many parents and caregivers hesitate to trust new
brands, especially when it involves their child’s
health. They prefer sticking with established names
in the diabetes tech space.
Many parents and caregivers hesitate to trust new
brands, especially when it involves their child’s
health. They prefer sticking with established names
in the diabetes tech space.
So, instead of competing, glucoguard builds trust by
working with these trusted devices and offering a
smarter, more personalized support system
So, instead of competing, glucoguard builds trust by
working with these trusted devices and offering a
smarter, more personalized support system
85%
85%
CGM Device Market
CGM Device Market
Owned by three companies Dexcom, Libre & Medtronics.
Owned by three companies Dexcom, Libre & Medtronics.
BUSINESS MODEL (B2B2C)
BUSINESS MODEL (B2B2C)
How GlucoGuard Works with Key Players to Help Parents
How GlucoGuard Works with Key Players to Help Parents
To reach our end customers the parents of teens with diabetes, GlucoGuard partners with three important groups in the healthcare system:
To reach our end customers the parents of teens with diabetes, GlucoGuard partners with three important groups in the healthcare system:
GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY
GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY
How We Plan to Reach Parents of Diabetic Teens
How We Plan to Reach Parents of Diabetic Teens
We identified three trusted channels to help us introduce GlucoGuard to parents. These partners already have the attention and trust of our users making them the best way to spread adoption.
We identified three trusted channels to help us introduce GlucoGuard to parents. These partners already have the attention and trust of our users making them the best way to spread adoption.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
IMPACT
IMPACT
GlucoGuard empowered caregivers and teens to better manage diabetes with safety and trust. Our solution received recognition with $1,000 in funding and 2nd place in a university innovation challenge.
WHAT I LEARNED
WHAT I LEARNED
I learned to design for sensitive health needs, balance privacy with usability, work with real-time data, and align stakeholder perspectives into one user-centered solution.
NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
We plan to explore further partnerships with schools and pediatric clinics and validate the solution through a pilot program.
