Tag: PILL BAG

Final Project – The Pill Bag

OBJECTIVES & RATIONALE BEHIND THE ISSUE WE’RE HIGHLIGHTING

For our final project for Experimental Interaction, we decide to create a provocative object to address ethical issues in contraceptive justice. For this project, we will be focusing on the issue of birth control for women. Our project is trying to break the stereotype of being secretive about consuming birth control pills and girls should be empowered by using our pill bag by making this issue transparent and boys have to get used to it. Our objective is to make the bag as a fashion statement which stands out as a protest to change the perspective of how such issues should not be kept under the rugs or not be spoken in front of the opposite gender – normalize it. 

 

The invention of the birth control pill was a significant milestone in the women’s rights movement. Since then, other long-acting, reversible contraceptives have been developed for women, and women now have a total of 11 methods. In contrast, men only have 2 options, thus the public ceding major responsibility for contraception to women. Moreover, Women currently bear most of the financial and health-related burdens of contraception, dedicating time and energy to contraception care, feeling stress and anxiety about taking the pills, the possibility of unintended pregnancy.

Women bear the majority of contraception responsibility and the burdens it entails while men have limited reproductive autonomy. We decided to design a pill bag resembling the birth control pills calls the attention to reconceptualize the issue of responsibility and transparency for contraception between men and women.

 

THE PILL BAG

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

A provocative object that can be used in our everyday life to create a commentary about the transparency of consuming birth control as a female which usually being frowned upon when we’re talking to our parents or male counterparts. The embellishment of the bag imitates the form of our birth control package. Instead of pills, we chose to insert babies to show the severity of the pills not taken on time. Babies will be formed which is horrendous if you hate children or are not planning to have one anytime soon.

In addition, the material of the bag is made of up a transparent material because we are focusing on the issue of transparency of consuming birth control. We were inspired by the case study of “Transparent Grenade” during the researcher’s critique and decided to incorporate this element into our object. 

For the user, the function of the bag is to remind them to take the birth control pill in time because it is essential to be punctual in order for it to work by including an alarm. 

As for the observers when the alarms set off, the second layer of interaction will occur as the bag will attract attention with the sound and striking form and embellishment of the pill bag, causing a complicated pleasure. A QR code with “Save it or Kill it” can be scanned and it will lead the public to a survey about birth control and lead them to a page about information related to birth control. 

In addition, not only this is beneficial for the users but it raises awareness by making the public uncomfortable with our object and learning the importance of transparency and responsibility that a woman has to bear to control her body. With the QR code and survey, we are able to track down how many people we have reached out to with the pill bag.

TIMELINE FOR OUR PROGRESS – THE PILL BAG

OBSERVATIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR USER TESTS

FIRST BODY STORMING

Click on this link to view our first body storming process, video and feedback.

 

INTERACTIVE WORKING PROTOTYPE

First attempt:

Our alarm code is based from this youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnQWR0BW8zQ

The code is from this website:

https://github.com/masseullahadel/LCDClock/blob/master/LCDClock.ino

 

COMPONENTS FOR OUR CIRCUIT

RTC Module – to set off an alarm at a specific timing

24V Buzzer (for the sound of the alarm)

Photocell – to stop the alarm and buzzer once the pill has been removed from the compartment (works together with the code of the alarm by replacing the alarm snooze switch button to a photocell which detects light)

LCD Display – for user interface to set the alarm

LED Strips – to light up the pill compartment when alarm it being set off

LCD Display:

Code for LCD Display:

Initially, the circuit wasn’t working with the code we used from the Youtube Video despite having all the components and code correctly placed. After our technical consultation with Lei and Serena, we found out the LCD display wasn’t working and changed it. An important lesson is to check each component is working by itself before assembling everything together!

LED Strips:

Code for LED Strip:

With the help of Serena soldering our mini USB cable to the LED strip and Lei’s technical consult to make the LED lights blink one by one, we were really satisfied with the LED component which will highlight the compartment of our pills at the back of our bag!

RTC Module – The component that is a pain in the ass ):

During our first interactive working prototype exercise, in order for all our other components to work, we have to make the RTC module work in order to set the alarm. Since I’m not really good with coding, I decided to DIWO and asked Weijie (my fwen with an engineering background) and we stayed up from 7pm to 7am to figure out the problem!!! We troubleshoot every single component to figure out the component and we realized that it was the hardware, not the software!!!

We even used Fritzing to arrange all the components and figure out what’s the main issue with this circuit. Firstly, it was the display and now the RTC ): At least, we’ve learnt a new software which is Fritzing to troubleshoot my components in the circuit without having to buy any additional components beforehand to try it out! Thanks Weijie!

So after consulting with Lei, we decided to buy a new RTC module! I decided to try the code outside of the Sunlight store so I can exchange immediately if they sold us another faulty component! I literally sat outside of the story for an hour just to make the RTC component work in our circuit. Thankfully, it finally worked without giving me gibberish numbers and I felt a sense of satisfaction!

To set the timing on the RTC, I used this code:

COMPLETED CIRCUIT VIDEO

DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS FOR OUR CIRCUIT IN PDF FILE:  Pill Bag – Development of Circuit

 

REFLECTION ABOUT USER TESTING:

I’ve realized the importance of user testing. As designers and creators, we tend to assume that the users will automatically know how it works or how to approach it. Sometimes, we’re too ambitious with trying to create something complicated to impress people but simplicity is the better option to send out a message to the public. I’ve learned to think in the perspective of the user and how I should have added visual cues for them to approach our object. To be honest, it was a good experience because every failure is a learning process but not a loss. I was not disheartened by every failure because I knew that our circuit and user approach could be improved with the help of our peers and the community online. 

 

DESIGN PROCESS – CHANGES IN DESIGN

The design process documentation and changes for the pill bag after the first body storming exercise and first interactive working prototype can be seen here: Link

Our final change with the features of the design:

  • The front of the bag will be embellished will pill containing babies.
  • The pill compartment will be placed at the back of the bag with LED lights surrounding it.
  • At a certain timing, the compartment containing the pill will light up and sound off a beeping alarm with a baby crying sound. (Easier for the user to approach)
  • Once, the pill is placed back in the compartment, sound and light sensors will be off.
  • There will be a barcode at the front with a tagline which prompts the public to scan it. “Kill It or Save It” (Why barcode? → Price of contraceptive is a problem too)
  • The second layer of interaction; QR Code: Leads them to a page about our movement (information, questionnaire, maybe donation for people who don’t have access to conceptive)
  • Data collected can be used to raise awareness and inform the public about how many people we managed to reach out using our object.

 

PROTOTYPE PROCESS

 ENVIRONMENT/SET UP OF CONTEXT IN A LIVING ROOM

Location: Level 2 of ADM, nearby 2D Foundation room

BACKGROUND SOUND TO SET THE ENVIRONMENT AND CONTEXT OF OUR PILL BAG

During our test runs before our presenting, we realized we need to create an environment so the tester will know how to approach the object we wanted.

When the alarm sets off, it will create a beeping sound and a baby crying. Why? Whenever we hear an alarm, our first instinct is to shut it off because it’s annoying and it will increase our sense of urgency.

In addition, to guide our tester to our pill bag which is hidden in a wardrobe, a voice recording of “Take the pill to stop it! Take it!”. Another reasoning behind this phrase is when you take your birth control pills, it will reduce the chances of you getting pregnant. Thus, when you removed the pills from the compartment of the bag, it will immediately stop the alarm and the LED using a photocell.

TEST RUN WITH CAROL BEFORE PRESENTATION

We decided to have Carol to test run before our presentation to make final changes to our set up and see if we need any additional changes to make the user experience more enriching.

VIDEO OF THE PILL BAG IN AN ACTUAL SETTING – PRESENTATION DAY

For our main tester, we decided to choose Brian who has no pre-existing knowledge or experience about birth control. After experiencing our setup with the pill bag, he told us that he didn’t know taking your birth control on time is essential to prevent pregnancies and he understands the responsibility and burden a woman has to carry. Hence, raising awareness and empathy for the girls consuming birth control.

FEEDBACK FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS AND OBSERVERS:

NOTE TAKER: FENELLA <3

HOW IT WORKS WHEN IN USE IN A PUBLIC PLACE

Imagine being a female carrying out our pill bag in a public place, when it’s time to consume your birth control pills, the alarm will set off with a beeping and annoying baby crying sound. It will attract the attention of people from the surrounding because of the sound and baby embellishment of the pill bag causing complicated pleasure. With a tagline of “Kill it or Save it” and a QR code next to it, it will spark curiosity amongst them to scan it which will lead to a questionnaire about birth control. Even if they do not wanna do the questionnaire, we are able to keep track of how many people that we reached out to with our provocative object – The Pill Bag. This is to empower woman to be proud and transparent about consuming birth control and we are controlling our body because it’s our choice. Nothing to be ashamed about. 

REFLECTIONS

Experimental Interaction module was a love-hate relationship for me. It really makes me understand the concept of DIWO and I wouldn’t be able to complete this project with the help and guidance of Serena, Lei, Weijie, Tongtong and my peers for giving their opinions about our provocative object. Coding was particularly hard for me and trying to make sure all the software and hardware components work together is really tedious but I’m glad to be able to have this experience! All the mental breakdowns and crying to my peers was worth it because I’m able to make most of the circuit work for our provocative object! The learning process of figuring out the codes and trying to use Arduino in different ways is really enjoyable!

I’ve learned new aspects of interaction design of how we should focus on the impact it can make instead of focusing on marketability and getting rich through profits. To be honest, I used to think that being an interactive designer is not really sustainable and I find it weird but now, I have a new found respect for such people. How admirable are they to be doing such installations and to highlight certain issues in our society so our future generation can benefit from it. I feel that enriching the public with such values as the message of the object/design/project is essential in our society and more projects like these should be funded.

Whatever grade I received for the module, I feel like it’s not really important compared to what I’ve received and learned from Serena and Lei throughout the module about all the case studies about interaction design and discussion. I feel like the knowledge and experience I’ve received from this module will definitely improve my skills as a designer by being able to observe and empathize with the mindset of each individual in the project.

INSTRUCTABLES – THE PILL BAG

PROTOTYPE – THE PILL BAG

MATERIALS:

  • Babies you can buy from Amazon
  • Any thick transparent plastic sheets (Or just buy a ready-made transparent bag)
  • Heat Gun
  • Glue Gun/Sewing Machine
  • The pdf file for the tagline and QR code

CODING  – THE PILL BAG

Final Project: Project Development Body Storming

TASK: BODY STORMING

We were tasked to create a quick mock-up of your installation or object with cardboard, paper, any found objects, electronics, computer, laptop, speakers and etc. A quick prototype to observe our users approaching and interacting with our object to see whether they manage to get the message or issue we are trying to highlight. (User experience with our object/prototype)

CONCEPT: THE PILL BAG

For our final project, we chose to create a provocative object to address the ethical issues in contraceptive justice – issue.

The invention of the birth control pill was a significant milestone in the women’s rights movement. Women currently bear most of the financial and health-related burdens of contraception. On the whole, female methods tend to be more expensive than male methods and female methods have more severe side effects than male methods, as well, in part because various contraceptive methods for women involve hormones, while no methods for men do.

Beyond the health-related and financial considerations, there are also nontrivial inconveniences and burdens associated with contraceptive use: dedicating time and energy to contraception care, feeling stress and anxiety about the taking the pills, the possibility of unintended pregnancy, and facing the social repercussions of contraceptive decisions and the possible moral reproach for contraceptive failures.

Women bear the majority of contraception responsibility and the burdens it entails while men have limited reproductive autonomy.

INTENDED OUTCOME

We decided to design a pill bag resembling the birth control pills blister packs calls the attention to reconceptualize the responsibility for contraception as shared between men and women.

*(After body storming, we decided to change the focus to the transparency of bag on birth control (+ function of the bag of reminding the user to take the birth control pill) and one should not be awkward about this issue. Adding a second layer of interaction which requires the public to scan the barcode to lead them to a page about the information, questionnaire, and donation related to birth control. – raising awareness and ability to track down how many people have we reached out to with our object.)

THE PILL BAG: FIRST DEVELOPMENT – HOW IT WORKS?

FIRST DEVELOPMENT: HOW IT WORKS?

  • Rings at 7 am
  • The alarm (RTC module) will be activated and LED light surrounding the pill on the calender-like embellishment will light up.
  • The alarm will stop once the pill pack is removed and placed back into the compartment. (Using photocell)
  • After consuming the pill, whoever comes near the bag will trigger a beeping sound (using a photocell by controlling the threshold) to show the sensitivity of our user taking the birth control pills. (DECIDED TO OPT THIS FUNCTION OUT)

BODY STORMING PROCESS

OUR PROTOTYPE

LIST OF TASK FOR OUR PARTICIPANT:

  • Persona: Young girl/Women taking birth control pills
  • When the alarm will be activated at 7 am as a reminder to take the pills. (Sound + Light will be activated) 
  • The participant will take pills from the compartment, pretend to consume it and place it back into the compartment. (Sound alarm will be switched off)
  • The LED light on the embellishment of the bag will be switched on for the rest of the day.

VIDEO: PILL BAG – BODY STORMING PROCESS

PARTICIPANT: MEHRILEY

FEEDBACK DURING BODY STORMING PROCESS

NOTE TAKING: CHERYL

During the test:

I guess I’m supposed to act as the xiaomeimei

Looks around trying to find out, where’s the compartment?

Not sure what the tin foil thing is

Didn’t know the pills are inside

–

Feedback:

If didn’t read the thing, don’t know what to do or take on the persona

If were a guy, don’t really know how to approach it

Distracted by pin which is supposed to be the LED pin 

Didn’t realize it was a pouch

Maybe if upright and can see the opening

Not sure what to do with the pills

Might not take the pills, didn’t know need to take the pills

–

Other feedback:

Thought the pin was the pill

Don’t know what to do without the instructions

How to show to take the pill?:

Use the pill organizer box instead?

Design of bag: name or logo of The Pill Bag etc.

Conceptual: If you’re trying to tell guys that responsibility is on the female, why is it still the female who takes the pill?

REFLECTIONS

“What did you learn from this process?”

SITI: The process of body storming allows me to identify the problems of the interaction aspect of the object with our user. This experience enables me to see how people with zero knowledge about our object interacting with it and whether we are able to convey the message/issue that we wanted to highlight. I realized that our object should have obvious cues so the user will know how to approach it. During the body storming, we realized we have one layer of interaction with the user and one of the feedbacks was how do we share the responsibility with the guys or how are they involved. Hence, we decided to add another layer interaction with the public by incorporating a barcode for them to scan which leads them to an informational page about birth control which includes a questionnaire and donation for our movement.

TONGTONG: Through the process of body storming, it helps us to recognize what are the problems that we face in terms of customer experience. The participant was clueless of what to do, even with instruction. This might due to as creators, we are very familiar with the concept and how it works, but it is hard for the participant to understand how it works especially when the object is it not intuitive. The object should send strong emotions and visual cues to create an interaction between the user and the object. So it is essential that when we design the object, we need to think from the user perspective, how are they going to approach the object, and what will they feel when they interact with the object.

“What surprised you while going through the process?”

SITI: During the body storming process, we thought it was obvious to remove the pills from the compartment because a list of task was already listed. However, our participant had a hard time locating the pills to consume and it made us realized that we should make the pill compartment more obvious and incorporate LED around it to highlight the area they should look for. I felt that our prototype should indicate the features of the LED, pill embellishment and pill compartment clearly.

TONGTONG: Many things that I thought would be intuitive for the users were not. For example,  the participant was having a difficult time to find the pills?? Where is the LED light and How to off the LED light?? Everyone includes the audiences were confused!

“How can you apply what you have discovered to the designing of your installation?”

SITI: After observing during our bodystorming and our peer’s process, I realized we have to make our object more inclusive so the message of highlighting the issues of birth control will reach out to more people, educating people from all walks to lives. From the feedback of our peers, we decided to re-structure the features of the bag to make it more idiot-proof. In addition, we decided to change the responsibility of bearing the birth control to the transparency about educating people about birth control. Hence, making it functional to the user as well as sending a message to the public and making them involved to make a change. Most importantly, the form and features of our pill bag have to be aesthetically appealing to make a statement. 

TONGTONG: There are quite a number of things we have to add and change in our object, firstly, is the form of the object,  instead of a pouch we think that a handbag bag might be a better idea cause not everyone uses pouch. Secondly, we decided to add a pill bag compartment outside the bag, so it helps with the customer experiences journey to be more intuitive.