Medication Meets Fun: Introducing Pillulaugh
Meet "Pillulaugh"—a pocket-sized, playful companion designed to make remembering medications less of a hassle and more of a happy habit for senior adults. This group project brought together creativity and empathy, as we set out to reimagine the simple task of taking daily pills. The result? A keychain-sized device that’s as lighthearted as it is practical, transforming a routine chore into a joyful ritual that seniors can carry with them everywhere.
As the lead in bringing Pillulaugh’s prototype to life, I helped turn our shared ideas into a real, tangible device, balancing functionality with a touch of fun. I was also part of the research phase, where our team used interview-based methods to dive into the daily routines, preferences, and needs of our target users—primarily seniors living independently. These conversations became the heart of the project, giving us invaluable insights that shaped every design choice we made.
Our approach wasn’t just about making a tool; it was about crafting an experience. By using research techniques like persona creation and journey mapping, we uncovered ways to make Pillulaugh not only easy to use but delightful to own. It’s more than a reminder—it’s a friendly nudge toward health and happiness, thoughtfully designed to make medication management feel as effortless as grabbing your keys.
The product
Pillulaugh operates through a straightforward mechanism designed to be intuitive and accessible to elderly users. The device is equipped with an Arduino microcontroller, an OLED display, and a buzzer. Users can set a daily alarm using three buttons that control the hour and minute settings, and when the time comes to take their medicine, the buzzer sounds, and an LED light flashes to alert the user.
The design of Pillulaugh mimics a small toy or a plush keychain, which can be attached to a bag or carried in a pocket. When the alarm sounds, the user can stop the sound by pressing a button and then access the medicine stored inside the toy-like container. The combination of sound, light, and playful aesthetics ensures that users are reminded to take their medicine without the need for phone apps or complex devices. The simplicity and portability of Pillulaugh make it ideal for seniors, particularly those who may not be technologically inclined or have mobility issues.
Take your meds
The purpose of Pillulaugh is rooted in addressing a widespread problem among senior adults: forgetting to take their medication on time. This issue, while seemingly small, can lead to serious health consequences, especially for individuals managing chronic conditions. Many elderly individuals use various methods to remember their medication, such as associating pill-taking with daily routines, but these methods are often inconsistent. The aim of Pillulaugh is to introduce a consistent, reliable, and enjoyable way for seniors to manage their medication without feeling burdened by the process.
Living, breathing prototype.
In addition to providing a practical solution, Pillulaugh was designed with playfulness in mind. Many seniors may feel embarrassed about needing help to manage their medications, especially in social settings. The keychain design, inspired by familiar childhood toys, helps remove that stigma, turning the act of taking medicine into something private and enjoyable. The goal is not just to assist seniors but to provide them with an aesthetically pleasing and emotionally uplifting product that promotes well-being.
How it happened
Research and Concept Development
The research phase for "Pillulaugh" was a deep dive into understanding the habits, needs, and preferences of seniors who manage their own medication schedules. Since the project’s goal was to create a playful and effective reminder device, our research centered on gathering insights from seniors living independently. This involved structured data collection through in-depth interviews, persona development, journey mapping, and prioritization of features using the MoSCoW method. Each step was geared toward designing a device that felt intuitive, engaging, and genuinely supportive of daily medication routines.
Data Collection: In-Depth Interviews
The team began with in-depth interviews to gather firsthand insights into how seniors currently remember to take their medication and the challenges they face. Participants were asked about their routines, memory aids, and any playful strategies they might already use to remember daily tasks. For example, some interviewees described using unconventional reminders, like setting a humorous ringtone as an alarm for certain medications. This highlighted the potential for a playful, lighthearted reminder device, suggesting that the design of Pillulaugh could incorporate humor to make medication management feel less clinical and more enjoyable. The responses also uncovered practical needs, such as portability, simplicity, and a design that wouldn’t easily be forgotten at home.
Persona Development
From the interview data, we developed personas to represent key user types, bringing clarity and focus to our design process. Each persona embodied specific traits, behaviors, and challenges common among our target users. One prominent persona was a family-oriented senior with a consistent daily routine, who valued ease of use and simplicity. This user typically relied on visual cues or auditory reminders and was open to playful elements, as long as they didn’t feel childish. Another persona represented a more active, independent senior who enjoyed going out regularly and needed a device that was both discreet and portable. This user might prefer a keychain-sized reminder that could be attached to personal items, allowing for seamless integration into their lifestyle. Developing these personas enabled the team to keep user needs at the forefront, guiding design decisions that would meet these specific expectations and preferences.
Journey Mapping
User Journey Map.
With the personas defined, we moved to journey mapping, where we detailed a typical day in the life of each persona, focusing on how they might interact with Pillulaugh from morning to night. For instance, in the journey map of the family-oriented persona, Pillulaugh was used as part of a morning routine, activated after breakfast as the user gathered their keys and belongings. Mapping this user’s journey helped us visualize exactly where Pillulaugh could naturally fit within daily habits, confirming that the device needed to be small and easily accessible, perhaps as a keychain or a pocket-sized device. For the more active persona, the journey map showed that reminders would be most effective as they left the house or changed locations. These insights informed our decision to make Pillulaugh portable and easy to access on the go, with features that could be activated without disrupting the user’s flow.
MoSCoW Method for Feature Prioritization
MoSCoW method in action.
After gathering insights from personas and journey mapping, we used the MoSCoW method to prioritize features. The "Must-Have" category included essentials such as a reliable alarm, visual notifications, and portability to ensure that Pillulaugh could serve as an effective and accessible reminder. "Should-Have" features involved playful design elements, like a friendly visual indicator, to align with the lighthearted aspect of the product without overcomplicating the device. "Could-Have" features, such as customizable reminder tones or optional lighting effects, were considered but marked as secondary, as these elements could be added in future iterations. By using the MoSCoW method, we created a balanced feature set that met core needs while keeping the device simple and intuitive for senior users.
User Flow
User Flow Diagram.
The user flow for Pillulaugh is designed to be intuitive, integrating smoothly into seniors' daily routines without requiring extensive setup or complicated interactions. Upon receiving Pillulaugh, the user starts by attaching it to a keychain or placing it in a commonly used bag, making it easily accessible and part of their daily essentials. The initial setup is guided by a simple, visual instruction sheet, where users can configure basic settings such as preferred reminder times and select alert types—options include a gentle vibration, a brief sound, or a soft light flash. For those who enjoy personalization, optional settings allow for playful customization, letting users choose a unique sound or light color that aligns with Pillulaugh's fun, approachable design.
Each morning, as the user goes about their routine, Pillulaugh activates a subtle reminder timed to fit seamlessly into their day. As they pick up their keys or prepare to leave the house, the device emits a gentle vibration or a cheerful sound, prompting them to review their medication schedule. This nudge feels natural, as if it were part of their everyday habits rather than an additional task. If the user needs reminders for midday medications, Pillulaugh issues a friendly prompt at the designated time—such as a gentle vibration in their pocket as they get ready for lunch—keeping them on track without being intrusive. Users can acknowledge the reminder by pressing a button on the device, indicating that they’ve noted the prompt and reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.
The research phase for Pillulaugh underscored the importance of designing a device that seniors would not only find useful but also enjoyable to interact with daily. Interview insights, persona development, journey mapping, and prioritized features all pointed to the need for a compact, intuitive, and non-intrusive design that could blend into users’ routines effortlessly. Pillulaugh emerged as a practical yet friendly tool that would empower seniors to take control of their medication schedules in a way that felt engaging and supportive rather than burdensome. This research-driven foundation provided clear direction for the prototype development, ensuring the final product was aligned with real-world user needs and preferences.
Conceptualization Phase
The conceptualization phase of "Pillulaugh" was an exploratory journey that combined creative brainstorming with practical considerations to address the unique needs of seniors for medication adherence. Using a divergent thinking approach, the team generated various playful and unconventional ideas to create a medication reminder that was not only functional but also enjoyable to use. Initially, several creative concepts emerged, including a rotary phone-inspired medication dispenser and a vintage coffee grinder design. Each of these concepts aimed to bring a sense of nostalgia and enjoyment to the act of taking medication, transforming it into a ritual that felt more engaging than routine.
Initial Ideas: Playful and Nostalgic Designs
One of the early ideas was a Rotary Phone Medicine Reminder. This concept featured a rotary dial and a base box for storing medicine. Users would receive a “call” when it was time for their medication, requiring them to pick up a headset to silence the alarm and use the rotary dial to “dial” a code that would release their medicine. Although playful and reminiscent of classic technology, this concept posed challenges in terms of portability and practicality for seniors, particularly for those on the go.
Another idea involved a Vintage Coffee Grinder Medicine Reminder. In this design, the medicine was stored in a compartment that released pills when the user “ground” the device. This concept was similarly charming and tactile but ultimately impractical due to its bulky nature, which would make it difficult to carry around. Both of these concepts sparked inspiration and aligned with the team’s goal of infusing playfulness into the design but were ultimately discarded due to their lack of portability.
Refining the Concept: Portable and User-Friendly
The team quickly recognized that portability and ease of use were critical for the target audience of independent seniors who may need to carry their medication reminders with them. This led to the development of a new concept: a keychain-sized, toy-like medicine dispenser that combined functionality with a sense of nostalgia. This design, inspired by childhood toys, was intended to be small, easy to carry, and aesthetically pleasing. The idea was reinforced by research indicating that adults often find joy in revisiting childhood memories and could connect emotionally to an item that resembles a toy from their past (Kanhadilok & Watts, 2014). This approach allowed us to create a device that would feel inviting rather than clinical.
Prototyping Phase
The prototyping phase was an iterative process aimed at bringing the conceptual design of Pillulaugh to life in a way that balanced aesthetics, functionality, and simplicity. The team went through multiple iterations, each addressing specific challenges and refining the design to make the device accessible and engaging for seniors.
First Iteration: Basic Functionality and Proof of Concept
The initial prototype focused on achieving basic functionality, such as setting and triggering an alarm. Using an Arduino Uno, an LCD screen, a buzzer, and buttons, the team built a simple model to test core functions. The prototype required users to manually set the alarm time using buttons for hours, minutes, and confirmation. While this version was functional, it was too bulky and lacked the portability necessary for a keychain-sized device. Additionally, the large LCD screen and exposed wiring made the device feel cumbersome and far from user-friendly.
Second Iteration: Compact Design and OLED Display Integration
In the second iteration, I focused on making the prototype more compact and user-friendly by switching to the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010. This board provided a smaller form factor, essential for creating a portable keychain-sized device that seniors could easily carry. Initially, I attempted to utilize the Wi-Fi capabilities of the MKR 1010 by pushing the code via the Arduino IoT Cloud, intending to make the device wireless and potentially manageable over Wi-Fi. However, I soon discovered that Wi-Fi integration was unnecessary for this prototype. Once the code was uploaded, it could run independently on the Arduino without any need for continuous Wi-Fi connectivity. This realization simplified the development process, allowing me to focus on refining other aspects of the design, leading to the streamlined third iteration.
Third Iteration: Compact Design and OLED Display Integration
The third iteration of the prototype built upon the learnings from previous versions, culminating in a refined, compact, and user-friendly device. This iteration retained the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 but focused entirely on optimizing its standalone functionality without relying on Wi-Fi. By finalizing the OLED display integration, I ensured the device could clearly display time and alarm settings within a compact interface, simplifying usability for seniors. This version also incorporated three buttons for setting hours, minutes, and confirming alarms, offering an intuitive way to interact with the device. To complete the design, I added a subtle buzzer and LED light that activated at the set alarm time, providing both audio and visual cues to remind users to take their medication. With its compact design, simplified interface, and playful, colorful exterior inspired by a “frozen strawberry pop tart,” this final iteration met all functional and aesthetic goals, delivering a practical and enjoyable medication reminder for seniors.
Forth and Final Iteration: Refined Functionality and Aesthetic Design
The final prototype was a culmination of all previous iterations, addressing both functional and aesthetic aspects. The device was designed with three buttons for setting hours, minutes, and confirming the alarm, which made the interface simple and intuitive for seniors. The alarm was configured to produce a gentle sound accompanied by a blinking LED light, providing both audio and visual cues for users. Additionally, the team implemented a rechargeable Li-Po battery, which made the device portable and eliminated the need for frequent battery replacements, a crucial feature for ease of use.
The aesthetic design drew inspiration from a “frozen strawberry pop tart,” giving the device a playful, colorful look that reflected the taste and preferences of the target audience. This choice of design was intentional, aiming to make Pillulaugh feel like a friendly and non-intimidating accessory. The prototype’s exterior was crafted to look like a soft, stuffed toy, providing a tactile experience that was both enjoyable and comforting for seniors. This final version met the project’s goals by being portable, easy to operate, and visually appealing, offering a medication reminder that seniors could carry comfortably and proudly.
Challenges Faced During Prototyping
Throughout the prototyping phase, the team encountered several challenges, each requiring careful consideration and adaptation. The initial struggle with size and compactness pushed us to explore alternative components, such as the Arduino MKR 1010, to achieve a more portable design. Integrating the OLED display also presented difficulties in terms of coding and hardware compatibility, requiring us to troubleshoot and rework the code extensively.
Another challenge was balancing playfulness with functionality. While the design needed to be lighthearted, it also had to fulfill its primary function as a medication reminder effectively. Ensuring that the alarm was loud enough to hear but not disruptive, and making the interface intuitive but not overly simple, were critical balancing acts that shaped the final design. Feedback from peers emphasized the need to consider practical details, such as how seniors would interact with the buttons and whether the device’s playful appearance might inadvertently make it seem less reliable.
Final Prototype and Aesthetics
The third iteration of the prototype represented the culmination of these efforts. The final product was a compact, self-contained device with an OLED display that showed time and alarm settings. The device featured three buttons for setting and confirming alarm times, a subtle buzzer, and an LED light for visual reminders. Its soft, toy-like appearance, inspired by the pop tart concept, gave it an inviting and nostalgic feel, aligning with the project’s goal to create a reminder device that seniors would find enjoyable to use and carry.
This final iteration successfully addressed the needs identified during the research phase, providing a portable, playful, and functional solution for seniors to manage their medications independently. The prototype encapsulated both practicality and aesthetic appeal, creating an accessible, user-centered product that aligns with the team’s original vision.