The first step in the process was defining the scope of the project and reframing the problem. We started by recognizing the success of the Neoguard device in monitoring patients' vitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, not only in infants but across all age groups. This led us to the realization that there is an opportunity to improve the device's usability on infants and expand its user base to include children and adults.

We identified the user need for a wearable device that can be utilized by patients of all ages in low-income communities, which aligns with Neopenda's mission of developing affordable medical technologies that cater to specific needs. To achieve this, we defined key aspects of the desired state for the device, including affordability, ease of use, comfort, and adherence to their mission.

By clearly defining the project scope and reframing the problem, we set a strong foundation for the project, with the goal of making a positive impact on healthcare accessibility and patient monitoring for people of all ages in low-income communities.

The second step of the research process began with conducting interviews with ID students from Ghana and Nigeria. These interviews provided valuable firsthand insights into the healthcare systems in their respective countries, allowing us to understand the challenges and opportunities that Neopenda could address through its innovations.

By engaging with these ID students, we gained a deeper understanding of the specific healthcare needs and preferences of users in African communities. Their perspectives and experiences, along with our secondary research helped us create detailed user personas and journey maps, which served as essential tools in identifying potential areas for Neopenda's interventions.

Following the interviews, we delved into researching common diseases prevalent in Africa, taking into account the insights shared by the ID students. We also looked into wearable health devices and relevant technologies that Neopenda could explore to enhance their offerings, where we gained valuable insights into the latest innovations and successful strategies within the region's healthcare landscape. Combining this information with the data from healthcare startups and wearable health device case studies, we developed a comprehensive view of the current healthcare landscape in the region.

This research approach allowed us to bridge the gap between theory and real-world experiences, enabling us to design solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also culturally relevant and user-centered. With these crucial research findings, we laid the groundwork for Neopenda's future initiatives, aiming to create meaningful and sustainable impacts on healthcare accessibility and patient monitoring throughout Africa.

During the ideation phase, countless design drafts were presented and thoroughly discussed, as we sought to conceptualize a product that would effectively address the healthcare needs of users in Africa. Collaborating with the Neopenda team, we leveraged their extensive expertise in the healthcare industry.

With a multitude of design concepts on the table, we worked to refine and consolidate our ideas. Through brainstorming sessions, sketches, and discussions, we narrowed down the options to the most promising concepts that aligned with Neopenda's mission and user requirements. Each design was carefully evaluated based on its feasibility, usability, affordability, and potential impact on patient monitoring and healthcare accessibility.

Once the key concepts were identified, the next step involved transforming these ideas into tangible prototypes. Utilizing readily available materials such as felt and foam sheets, we created physical representations of the proposed designs. These prototypes served as invaluable tools for testing usability and gathering feedback from potential users and healthcare professionals.

Through hands-on testing and user feedback, we refined and iterated on the prototypes, fine-tuning the design to optimize its functionality, comfort, and ease of use. This iterative approach ensured that the final product would meet the needs and preferences of its target users effectively.