Introduction
Mobile Solution for Animal Semen Analysis
iSperm is a mobile computer-assisted sperm analyzer (mCASA) that helps veterinarians, farmers, and researchers overcome regional restrictions and make animal reproduction more successful.
In this project, we designed an interview process to gather authentic feedback from overseas users and implemented it to guide the direction of future updates.
Challenge
Expanding the Market During the Pandemic
Our original product was a quick screening tool designed for pig breeders in Taiwan and China, but we aim to improve it for use with different species in various countries.
To better understand how to enhance the product for different industries, we face challenges in comprehending their actual needs and usage.
The situation became even more difficult during the pandemic, as local distributors couldn’t reach clients to gather user feedback.
My Role
- Collaborated with the BD team throughout the research process. Responsible for designing the interview process, conducting user research, and implementing the result to set update objectives with the dev team.
- Build the wireframe, design system, and high-fidelity UI. During the optimization phase, gathered feedback from power users to ensure the final design met their needs.
Competitive Overview
Challenged by Competitors in Mobile Device Market
Existing analyzers in the market require a computer and high-level microscope, which makes it challenging for vets to examine on site and communicate with breeders. After successfully porting the technology to mobile devices, competitors with industry advantages have begun to challenge us.
User Survey
From Demo to In-depth Interview
We designed a process that aims to lead customers to participate in a pre-sales online demo through online advertising, and to accept our user interview after a period of use.
This process helps us resolve customer doubts and usage issues, while also building a complete user research to help us understand the direction of future updates.
Findings from User Survey
First we organize the initial feedback into meaningful questions from online demo, then we conducted about 20 in-depth interviews with vets, lab technicians, and horse breeders in the US, representing approximately 40% of vets, 20% of technicians, and 40% of breeders. We also interviewed 20 pig breeders from China and Taiwan.
- Pig breeders are satisfied with the current product's quick screening function, and are unlikely to spend time on detailed inspections unless it can identify abnormality.
- If the product can identify kinetic parameters and sperm tracking, which are required by the Equine Association, horse users may be significantly more willing to make a purchase.
The table summarizes the varying user demands across different industries from interviews.
Personas from Pig & Horse Industries
By analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data collected from surveys and interviews, we developed distinct profiles for our target audiences.
Compared to our main users in Taiwan and China - pig breeders, who handle all the tasks mentioned above, they prefer a simpler operating process and have relatively low demand for further analysis (sperm kinetic, morphology).
Feel free to browse the Interview Video Reference:
User Experience Map
During the breeding season, vets in horse industry are busy and prioritize conducting quick animal screenings, while detailed exams are carried out by technicians.
In contrast, users in the pig industry handle all steps themselves and proceed with extending after quick screening without the need for detailed examination.
Identify the Key Objectives
We established goals in consultation with biomedical and development teams to proceed based on research result:
Design Process
All aspects are considered and tested with users
To meet the needs of our users, we had to consider not only the software and interface upgrades, but also the hardware and pre-operation processes, and we worked closely with power users to gather feedback on our prototype testing.
Sitemap
Our goal is to maintain the same logic for product usage while introducing new functions in an intuitive way:
Wireframes
To review the functionality and user experience, we built multiple wireframes for discussion with the development and BD teams, as well as reproductive researchers.
Throughout the design process, we repeatedly simulated user scenarios to ensure that the product is practical and user-friendly.
iSperm Design System
Species / Colors:
The overall color scheme must be calm, divided into main color, secondary color, and warning color.
Card UI Design:
We use the card UI design to boost UX because they’re naturally intuitive for users as they represent physical cards with units of information.
Font Style:
The font must be able to distinguish between key data and subsidiary data, and must consider multi-language usability."
Code-Ready Layout
Every component follows an 8pt grid system and is code-ready, ensuring that important details are not lost in the handoff process to developers.
Final Designs
Same Usage Logic, More Powerful Analysis Capabilities
We added the ability to sample multiple times for more detailed examination, and created an Analysis Result page to display sperm kinetic data and movement trajectories for each sampling.
Multiple Sampling for Better Accuracy & Detailed Examination
Analysis Flow / Before:
Only one sampling is needed for quick screening results, which is fast but less accurate.
Analysis Flow / After:
Users who require quick screening can directly test the raw samples, whereas those who require detailed analysis can repeat multiple samplings to obtain more accurate results.
The analysis process starts at 2:25 and ends at 3:22, feel free to browse the rest of the video.
Extending Page: Streamlining Repetitive Processes
Simplify the calculation process for different species by redesigning the step-by-step extension process. Users can set parameters once and lock them for future use to easily obtain calculation results.
Data Center: Unifying Vets and Breeders with Organized Data
Vets often manage multiple farms and need animal data organized by farm, with additional collection order and warning features.
To address this, unclassified animal data has been reorganized by farm, allowing vets to easily view breeding recommendations, alerts, and individual animal data.
Tutorials Embedded - Addressing operational problems
We've embedded tutorial videos to resolve frequent questions about microscope optical alignment and pre-operation process.
This enables accurate instrument calibration and resolves a large volume of overseas customer service requests.
Usability Testing
As new features are gradually released, we also conduct online tests with users of different species specialties, ensuring that the final version effectively meets their actual needs.
Try Out Prototype
Fell free to enlarge the window to experience functionalities.
It is recommended to use "Chrome browser" to experience prototype.
Impact
As this is a huge project, we released the new designs in phases. For confidentiality reasons I have omitted the actual values for these metrics.
Future
Advanced Image Recognition is Coming
If the development of the prototype goes smoothly, it will allow for more accurate analysis of morphology and the identification of sperm abnormality rates, providing vets and breeders with more precise analysis results for raising healthier animals.
