Manya Singh
Seattle, WA
Bloom: Health and Hygiene Guide
a system ( App + KIT) that creates awareness for young adult women
Overview
ORGANIZATION
Pre-Thesis, Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology
ROLE
Researcher, UX Designer
Team
Individual Project
Duration
4 Months ( September 21' - December 21')
my Tasks
Research, Analysis, Ideation, Information Architecture, Wire-framing, User Testing, System Maps, Competitive Analysis
The problem
In Indian society, the socialization for young girls doesn't include talking about reproductive health. This creates the stigma and hesitation around this topic which creates a gap in their knowledge.
My project
Bloom was designed to bridge that gap. It's a system that gives young adult women access to credible information about reproductive health and hygiene, products and healthcare professionals.
The Context
The generational roots of the problem in a male dominated society
For generations, talking about sex and women’s health in India has been looked at with a lens of judgment. This judgment is so ingrained in people’s minds that they fail to acknowledge the severity of practicing safe sex and proper hygiene methods.
“Condoms promise safe sex, but the safest sex is through faithfulness to one’s partner.” - Harsh Vardhan ( Ex-Minister of Health and Family Welfare India )
The scenario map made with before and after Bloom.
Research Questions
What is the current level of unawareness about reproductive health among young adult women in India? What factors contribute to this unawareness, and how do social, cultural, and educational influences play a role?
What are the key touchpoints young adult women engage with regarding reproductive health and hygiene, and how do these interactions influence their understanding and behaviors?
My Research Tool-kit
Research
Secondary Research
Google Survey: Reached 200 female participants
Expert Interviews: Consulted 5 healthcare professionals from USA, UK and India
Contextual Inquiry: Observed participant behavior and environments
Myth vs. Fact Survey: Surveyed 50 female participants in-person
Focus Group: Conducted with 10 female participants in 2 sessions
Ideation and Development
Co-Creation: 2 sessions conducted with users and experts
Ideation: Lotus Blossom Brainstorming + Others
Prototyping: App and Kit
User Testing: Conducted throughout the process
Supporting Maps
User Flow, Journey Map, System Blueprint, PESTEL Analysis, SWOT Analysis, Business Model Canvas, Competitor Analysis
User Goals
Gain trustworthy knowledge about reproductive health and hygiene and make informed decisions.
Build confidence to independently navigate healthcare systems and visits.
Current Obstacles
Lack of relatable, judgment-free guidance from healthcare professionals and family.
Confusion and mistrust due to misinformation from unreliable internet sources.
Discomfort in discussing sensitive topics due to stigma and societal judgment.
Empathy Map for the user
Dissecting The Knowledge Gap
Understanding how deep the problem runs
60%
Urban schools lack sex education classes . This gap is even more stark in rural areas and smaller towns.
(Survey)
70%
Survey participants (women) did not feel comfortable talking to their parents about reproductive health and hygiene.
(Survey)
Thematic analysis of all the data collected from research
How the gap affects the users
System faults hinder prevention and patient experience
Stigma and Judgement lead to hesitation and ignorance
Myths lead to misinformed decisions
So How Might We
How might we create awareness and a safe space amongst young adult women regarding reproductive health and hygiene so that they interact with and have access to credible information, healthcare and products?
Co-Creating
A problem that needs collaboration with the users
This topic was deeply personal and sensitive, making it challenging to address through conventional user research techniques. By engaging in co-creation, I created a safe and open space for the users to share their thoughts and feelings. This approach allowed for an empathetic understanding of their unique experiences.
Key takeaway: What the users truly wanted was a personalized and private solution—one that respected their privacy, cultural sensitivities, and comfort levels.
The co-creation session conducted with the users.
What 'WE' Created
Bloom: the Health and Hygiene Guide
Bloom is a system designed to empower young adult women with reliable health information, essential products, and access to trusted healthcare professionals. This reproductive health and hygiene guide combines the convenience of a monthly subscription kit with the support of an intuitive app, offering personalized care and breaking the stigma around reproductive health in a meaningful way.
Bloom system = App + Subscription Kit = Credible information about reproductive health + hygiene
The Bloom App
Flow: Curating the kit
Some wireframes of the bloom app
The Subscription Kit
The Bloom kit provides a curated selection of trusted, high-quality health products tailored to each user’s needs, directly integrated with the app for easy access. It addresses the gap in reliable product availability, removing the stigma and judgment often encountered in local stores or online shopping. The packaging is designed to represent how natural and organic their experience should be.
The Subscription Kit
Staying Close To The Users
Connected with users at every step
Staying close to the users throughout the project made it more meaningful and gave Bloom a real chance to address a systemic issue in India. From research and co-creation to multiple rounds of user testing, every step brought Bloom closer to solving the problem. Each stage was essential for personalizing the kit and app, uncovering valuable insights that continuously refined and improved the whole system.
Stills from one of the user testing sessions.
Takeaway
Handling a Sensitive Topic with Care – Navigating conversations around reproductive health required creating a safe and judgment-free space for users to share their experiences and concerns.
The Power of Co-Creation – Involving users in the design process ensured that Bloom was not just a solution for them but with them, making it more relevant and effective.
Want To Know More?
Introduction Video: Bloom : A health and hygiene guide
Research Paper: Prevalence of Cervical Cancer In India
Documentation Book: View the full process