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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."