Vanessa Goffin – Graphic Designer, Research Lead, UI/UX Designer, Experiential Designer, Art Director, Illustrator, Founder, CMO, CDO, and CEO
Project description
I was tasked with picking a problem I was passionate about and researching it to design a potential solution. I was then tasked with creating visual representations of my proposed solution and a website to market it. Finally, everything was compiled into a case-study booklet.
My chosen problem is the lack of education and awareness of the look and feel of breast cancer symptoms, specifically for young adults. The solution I came up with is an exhibit that can be installed in high-traffic areas that involves a user being led by a volunteer/employee to interact with model breasts that medically accurately mimic symptoms of breast cancer that can be seen and felt. There are also educational materials that can be distributed amongst users and passerbys. I then created mockups for these assets. I then designed a website that describes the project initiative and the solution, and markets to companies/organizations that may want to rent/install an exhibit. Lastly, I compiled all of the above deliverables into a case study booklet that could be distributed to generate interest or even used as a pitch for creation.
Design Approach
The process started with extensive research on my topic. I was researching my topic to make informed decisions about potential solutions later in the process. The second step was to identify potential solutions and test their viability in various ways. Once I had decided on a solution, I worked to refine my idea to make it as usable and effective as possible. Once I had refined my idea, I created mockups of all the assets needed for my final solution. While I was refining and designing my solution, I was also developing a website to market it to my intended audience. The final piece of this project was to compile all assets and information from throughout the project’s duration into a comprehensive booklet.
Design Solution
I started by determining the topic of my project. I decided to tackle the topic of breast cancer education and awareness for the young adult demographic in Canada. More specifically, I wanted to increase education and awareness about self-screening methods and how breast cancer symptoms can present while conducting self-screening. Once I had officially landed on my topic of interest, I started my research.
I used a variety of methods to collect information, which included a literature review, interviews, a self-ethnography, and a survey. I started with the literature review to gather concrete statistics and peer-reviewed information before moving on to more experience-based research. I identified statistics and quotes from three articles I found most relevant to my topic and put them in a chart. Once I documented that information, I explained why each point from the articles was relevant to my topic and research. My second research method was an interview with someone who is highly involved in the breast cancer community in Canada. Then, I continued my research by conducting a self-ethnography in which I documented how much knowledge I had about breast cancer before versus after my mom’s diagnosis and treatment plan. This information was helpful because it highlighted how much information there is to know about breast cancer and how little is presented to young people who are not specifically affected by the disease.
Design Process – Ideation
After these pieces of research, I started ideating what potential solutions there were for the gaps in the education on how breast cancer symptoms present during self-screening. I started this process by simply brainstorming. One way I did this was through the “out of the box” exercise. This was meant to challenge my thinking and force me to think absurdly and outrageously. After this exercise, I conducted a survey in which I presented a list of ideas and asked my participants to select the three ideas they felt would best solve the outlined issue. I received over 40 submissions from a wide variety of people. After compiling the survey results, I selected the three most viable Ideas and drew thumbnail sketches with notes of their theoretical functionality. Those thumbnail sketches were then presented to my peers, and I decided on which idea would be the best solution to the topic I had chosen. I used my survey results, research results, and peer feedback to help guide my decision.
Design Process – Deliverables
The solution I landed on is an exhibit that includes displays with medically accurate model breasts that each mimic a different breast cancer symptom. Users would be able to touch and feel these models to experience what these symptoms can present like. I also decided to include signage and take-home documentation for the initiative, as well as information on conducting self-screening. I decided to call my solution the Check Those Tiddies Project. Once I decided on my solution, I created a relatively simple prototype to present to my class. I spent time with my peers and professors discussing what worked in the solution, what the real solution would look like, and how it differed from my prototype. I also conducted two more interviews, one with another one of my mom’s connections from her cancer journey, and one with an influencer, Farideh, known for her comedy content, specifically her comedic song “Check Those Titties,” which explains to women how to check for breast cancer symptoms at home. Once I had compiled all the information outlined above, I compiled it into a comprehensive research booklet.
Design Process – Deliverables
Once all of that was collected and finalized, I started on the design aspect of the project. My branding for the Check Those Tiddies Project was pretty simple, using the breast cancer symbol and colour. That branding was then applied to three different mockups that I used to display my solution digitally. I started by designing the exhibit itself using a Photoshop mockup and adding additional pieces. I also designed and mocked up a take-home brochure and exhibit signage. These pieces were also added to the exhibit mockup to create a full representation of my proposed solution. Throughout this process, I made small revisions and added details to my initial solution to make the idea more effective and viable for its intended purpose.
Design Process – Deliverables
During this process, I also began creating a website to market my initiative and exhibits. This process started with creating a simple wireframe in Figma. Once that was presented, I also used the feedback I received to create a high-fidelity mockup in Figma. After that, I started transferring my work from Figma to Webflow to build a functional, published website. More edits and revisions were made to my design during the transfer to Webflow to make the website more usable.
Design Process – Deliverables
Lastly, I compiled everything from the process of creating this project into a case-study booklet. This booklet was designed to outline the entire project process and explain the final initiative. This booklet was designed for me to present my idea to investors, companies, sponsors, etc. Overall, this project took 7 months and 5 days, or 31 weeks, or 217 calendar days to complete from project introduction to project presentation and printing.
This project is incredibly meaningful to me as the topic is one that I am extremely passionate about and have been directly affected by. After my mom’s cancer diagnosis, I developed a fear of my sister contracting the disease, and I began my research into self-screening. My personal experience is what led me to create this solution, and I am so excited to see what I can do with it in the future.
Special Circumstances
There weren’t many special circumstances associated with this project, but a few significant ones affected my process. Firstly, this project was done during my final year of university, which meant I was also completing other schoolwork and grappling with aspects of my future, such as insurance, living situation, career, and location. The most significant aspect was my personal connection to this project. Since my mom had been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer before and during this project, I was much more connected to and invested in this project. The connection I have to the project definitely boosted my motivation and desire to produce a well-thought-out solution and to do more than was asked of me. I wanted to do everything I could, and I chose to put in extra work because of the importance this project has for me. I’d say the biggest challenge for me was the prototyping stage. The prototype was my biggest challenge because I had limited space and resources due to my living situation. I was able to use my creative thing to pivot when my initial prototype fell through, and I pulled it together in the end. I’d say the other challenge this project faced was my emotional connection to the topic. I am so happy I chose the topic I did, but there were moments throughout the project that were emotionally heavy and taxing. As I stated earlier, my connection pushed me to create what I did and work as hard as I did, but I cannot deny that it also made this project emotionally difficult at times.