VIRUFY | SHIPPED

VIRUFY | SHIPPED

Patented AI cough-analysis tool for respiratory diseases.

Patented AI cough-analysis tool for respiratory diseases.

ROLE

UX Designer/Researcher

UX Designer

TEAM

2 Designers, 4 Devs

TIMELINE

May 2023 - Feb 2025

TOOLS

Figma, Miro, AI

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

Pandemic hits, smartphones were omnipresent in society.

Pandemic hits, smartphones were omnipresent in society.

Pandemic hits, smartphones were omnipresent in society.

When the pandemic struck, it sparked a digital renaissance, inspiring the idea of using smartphones to detect respiratory diseases. Virufy began as a clinical study with 362 patients at a university hospital, leveraging AI technology to analyze breathing and cough patterns. This innovation transforms mobile devices into powerful tools for early diagnosis and detection.

Background photos of Virufy's mission!

Laboratory in Columbia

@ LEAP 2025

@ LEAP 2025

RESULTS

RESULTS

RESULTS

As a UX intern, I contributed to Virufy’s AI-powered cough detection app, supporting its growth and global data collection efforts.

256,000+ Patients

Cough data collected from over 256,000 patients around the world.

10+ Countries

Cough data has been global and collected from over 10 countries.

20+ Supporters

Over 20 supporters that believe in Virufy and sponsor the organization.

PROBLEM

PROBLEM

PROBLEM

AI was transforming medical tools, but it introduced new challenges.

AI was transforming medical tools, but it introduced new challenges.

AI was transforming medical tools, but it introduced new challenges.

The evolving nature of AI and the time during the pandemic presented a unique set of UX hurdles for Virufy.

Balancing innovation with familiarity.

Virufy’s AI-powered cough analysis must feel approachable to new users. A user-friendly experience for a complex tool ensures clarity.

Driving volunteer engagement and data.

Virufy depends on community participation to improve its AI model. The platform must increase visibility and user engagement.

Establishing professionalism and validity.

As an AI-powered organization, Virufy must establish credibility and trust. The platform must display indicators of legitimacy.

Defining the product strategy and market.

Virufy needs clear positioning on how it is marketed to the targeted audience. This will shape its market strategy and product.

Challenge:

Integrate the AI background of Virufy into their website and design the AI client-facing app to be clear, functional, and trustworthy.

RESEARCH + EXPLORATION

RESEARCH + EXPLORATION

RESEARCH + EXPLORATION

Conducting desk research as our starting point and leading an explorative activity between COVID-19 and COPD.

Conducting desk research as our starting point and leading an explorative activity between COVID-19 and COPD.

Conducting desk research as our starting point and leading an explorative activity between COVID-19 and COPD.

Before diving into any design solutions, I wanted to look at websites and articles that mentioned key inisghts on user and brand's perspectives on the global pandemic.

Market + Desk Research
Summary of user perspectives
  • Difficulty accessing reliable and timely health information about respiratory illnesses.

  • Many diagnostic tools are either too invasive or inconvenient for users.

  • Limited access to free and fast diagnostic solutions, especially in underserved areas.

  • There is uncertainty about the accuracy and trustworthiness of AI.

Summary of brand perspectives
  • Building credibility around AI-powered diagnostics in a regulated healthcare industry.

  • Challenges in navigating global compliance and healthcare regulations.

  • Positioning and marketing Virufy beyond COVID-19.

Two respiratory diseases that have differences and overlap.

Two respiratory diseases that have differences and overlap.

Two respiratory diseases that have differences and overlap.

I was tasked with developing client-facing screens for COVID-19 and COPD detection. I needed to understand the key symptoms of both conditions, differentiate them, and develop targeted questions to help the AI model predict more accurate results.

COVID-19 & COPD OVERLAP

COVID-19 & COPD OVERLAP

COVID-19 & COPD OVERLAP

1) Shortness of Breath

both can cause breathing difficulties, but in COVID-19, it often worsens rapidly.

2) Coughing

cough is common in both conditions, though it is typically dry in COVID-19 and mucus-producing in COPD.

3) Fatigue & Weakness

both COVID-19 and COPD can cause severe fatigue, making daily activities more difficult.

COVID-19 & COPD DIFFERENCES

COVID-19 & COPD DIFFERENCES

COVID-19 & COPD DIFFERENCES

1) Fever & Loss of Taste/Smel

COVID-19 uniquely presents with fever and loss of taste/smell, whereas COPD doesn't.

2) Mucus Production

COVID-19 cough is often dry, whereas COPD is usually wet and has a lot of mucus.

3) Onset & Duration

COVID-19 develops suddenly and lasts weeks, while COPD worsens gradually over years.

IDEATION + TESTING

IDEATION + TESTING

IDEATION + TESTING

Far from perfect, how iteration and user testing helped overcome challenges and move forward in the design process.

Far from perfect, how iteration and user testing helped overcome challenges and move forward in the design process.

Far from perfect, how iteration and user testing helped overcome challenges and move forward in the design process.

With a deeper understanding of respiratory diseases, I began exploring new design solutions, archiving what didn’t work, and continuously testing to ensure each decision was grounded by user findings. I invited real people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to interact with early design versions, uncovering key insights that informed our next steps.

Researching user concerns around COVID-19 and COPD guided improvements to the AI model and experience, with success measured by users completing the journey confidently.

FINAL DESIGNS

FINAL DESIGNS

FINAL DESIGNS

Making AI technology simple and understandable to users.

Making AI technology simple and understandable to users.

Making AI technology simple and understandable to users.

Users will first encounter simple, step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth recording process. We designed a minimalist audio input and playback system, allowing users to retry infinitely to prevent errors and capture the most accurate audio.

This streamlined approach keeps AI technology in the background, making the experience feel effortless rather than complex.

Science backed questions that help the AI model work.

The set of questions for COPD or COVID-19 not only helps the AI model generate more accurate predictions but also provides users with a fast and non-invasive experience. Backed by science, these questions focus on symptoms and patterns that aid in predicting respiratory diseases.

Science backed questions that help the AI model work.

The set of questions for COPD or COVID-19 not only helps the AI model generate more accurate predictions but also provides users with a fast and non-invasive experience. Backed by science, these questions focus on symptoms and patterns that aid in predicting respiratory diseases.

Science backed questions that help the AI model work.

The set of questions for COPD or COVID-19 not only helps the AI model generate more accurate predictions but also provides users with a fast and non-invasive experience. Backed by science, these questions focus on symptoms and patterns that aid in predicting respiratory diseases.

DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

Alongside the app, I was tasked on revamping the website and key features.

Alongside the app, I was tasked on revamping the website and key features.

Alongside the app, I was tasked on revamping the website and key features.

Beyond improving the AI experience, developing a professional and functional website was essential for telling Virufy’s story and showcasing its technology. This helped build trust and support while encouraging new patients to contribute their data.

REDESIGN

REDESIGN

REDESIGN

From critique to creation, a new vision for the website emerges.

From critique to creation, a new vision for the website emerges.

From critique to creation, a new vision for the website emerges.

Continuously striving for improvement, we incorporated feedback from marketing and the CEO to address user pain points, refine the website, and solidify Virufy’s credibility while attracting more users.

REFLECTION + HIGHLIGHTS

REFLECTION + HIGHLIGHTS

REFLECTION + HIGHLIGHTS

Reflecting on my experience from my first internship.

Reflecting on my experience from my first internship.

Reflecting on my experience from my first internship.

As my first internship, Virufy provided an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a diverse and supportive team. I worked alongside designers, team leads, and cross-functional departments like marketing, gaining valuable mentorship and hands-on experience. Taking ownership of this project was a rewarding challenge, and I’m grateful to have contributed to an organization that is driving positive and transformative change in healthcare.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

Introduced Design Workshops

Introduced design workshops in the redesign process, fostering creativity and collaboration that led to stronger final solutions.

FAQ Feature

Developed a new FAQ solution during the redesign, resulting in smoother navigation, efficient information architecture, and fewer support tickets.

Deepika Rao

Design Manager @ Virufy

"Working with Dylan at Virufy was a pleasure; he's a talented UI/UX designer with a sharp eye for detail, innovative ideas, and strong reliability in meeting deadlines and collaborating."

Patented AI cough-analysis tool for respiratory diseases.

SHADES | PITCHED

SHADES | PITCHED

ROLE

UX Designer/Researcher

TEAM

2 Designers, 4 Devs

TIMELINE

May 2023 - Feb 2025

TOOLS

Figma, Miro, AI