Critiquing the app designs with Studio Only, a visiting graphic design studio, provided some invaluable insight into how these designs could be finalised for a real-world functioning app.
Studio Only commended the concept of the app, stating that accessibility to the 111 NHS service was poorly limited, and this brief was similar to the problems that professional design studios work towards solving for real-world clients.
Positive feedback was given towards the choice of typeface and colour as they both create a strong sense of recognition and cohesion between the app and other NHS services. However, the hierarchy of the copy within the app was highlighted as something that could be strengthened, and the order of the information presented should be carefully considered to maximise efficiency for the user.
Positive feedback was given towards the choice of typeface and colour as they both create a strong sense of recognition and cohesion between the app and other NHS services. However, the hierarchy of the copy within the app was highlighted as something that could be strengthened, and the order of the information presented should be carefully considered to maximise efficiency for the user.
To allow for full manoeuvrability within the app, it was suggested that once users had reached the end of the questions it should then be possible to navigate back to the beginning of the Diagnosis section. Also, in situations where calling an ambulance may be required but not immediately, an optional greyed out '999' button should be available so that users can continue to access the emergency services through the app without repeating the question process.
The inclusion of a voice-activated feature that would allow users to remotely control the app using voice only was suggested, as the app should be accessible to individuals of all abilities. However, including a functioning button that would allow the app to switch to voice-control would be counter-productive as users would still need the ability to press the button. This could be solved through the integration of the app with the phone's pre-existing voice activation function (Siri for iPhone, Ok Google for Android etc) to allow for a smooth transition between manual and voice control.