ACADEMIC PROJECT // CASE STUDY
Numa
Numa minimizes subjectivity in organ assessment, improves organ utilization rates, and expedites transplant decision-making.
TIMELINE
Sep 2024 - Mar 2025
20 weeks
TEAM
1 Project Lead, 1 UX Researcher, 2 Product
Designer
ROLE
Product Designer
TOOL
Figma, Fig jam, Rhino,
Adobe CC
CURRENT STATUS QUO
17 people die each day waiting for live-saving organs.
Every 8 minutes another person is added to the transplant waiting list, while viable organs go
unused which is a critical organ shortage crisis.
FIG 2. Comparison of waitlist and wasted organs
Despite of it, over 28,000 viable organs are wasted each year.
The current organ procurement and transplantation system faces critical inefficiencies, with a 1 in 5 chance that a viable organ won’t reach its recipient.
MY ROLE AT A GLANCE
In this case study, I supported the user interviews and secondary research to tackle the problem, work on and mainly focused on creating user flow, user interface design (visual elements) and validation of the Numa mobile platform.
THUS I ASKED
But why is it happening?
What is the root cause of the organ shortage crisis?
To find a root cause, we uncovered the deeper problem behind these organ shortage crisis issues.
PROBLEM
Inefficient logistics and delayed communication in organ procurement are leading to missed transplant opportunities, resulting in wasted organs and lost chances to save lives.
Current organ transplantation system
Organ recovery steps
SOLUTION
Creating a mobile platform and physical device to increase organ utilization
Collaborative digital platform
Imaging device
How it works together
Nailing the primary action in organ procurement
Simplifying the stakeholder communication
As well as keep the real time tracking going when organs are being handled.
*Note that the organ image is generated through Mid journey, but it will be
THE PROCESS
Our design process was far from linear, and that helped us to discover insights…
I started from dedicating over 12 hours to learn from Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and transplant surgeons, learning about their pain points, workflows and challenges.
*Click to the right to view the process!
First, we explored a wide range of solutions using ideation techniques like Crazy Eights, encouraging ourselves to think creatively and challenge the status quo. During this phase, we experimented with various concepts, ranging from digital tools to physical prototypes, such as wearables, cameras, and mobile attachments.
And explored visuals, interaction and competitors, UI interaction at the same time.
First, we explored a wide range of solutions using ideation techniques like Crazy Eights, encouraging ourselves to think creatively and challenge the status quo. During this phase, we experimented with various concepts,
AND WHAT IF
What if we could design a product that streamlines decision-making and strengthens collaboration between stakeholders throughout the organ procurement process?
MY DESIGN DECISIONS
We were tasked to design a product that leverages AI and emerging technologies.
First, we explored a wide range of solutions using ideation techniques like Crazy Eights, encouraging ourselves to think creatively and challenge the status quo. During this phase, we experimented with various concepts, ranging from digital tools to physical prototypes, such as wearables, cameras, and mobile attachments.
The key challenges I identified in the organ procurement process were…
Inconsistent organ evaluation due to unclear photos, leading to hesitation in accepting offers.
2. The key challenges we identified in the organ procurement process were…
Inconsistent organ evaluation due to unclear photos, leading to hesitation in accepting offers.
Communication breakdowns cause errors, delays, and burnout among OPOs,transplant teams.
3. The key challenges we identified in the organ procurement process were…
Inconsistent organ evaluation due to unclear photos, leading to hesitation in accepting offers.
IMPACT
To validate the product, we met with UNOS Labs, whose feedback offered invaluable insights. Their perspective highlighted considerations we hadn’t initially accounted for, leading to thoughtful refinements in both the design and information architecture.
Devin, from UNOS, he positioned our solution as a decision-aid tool, emphasizing its role in bridging the gap between provisional acceptance and the final organ transplant.
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Labs validated our concept.
“I recently talked to an OPO, and they expressed a need for an app very similar to this. It touches on an unmet need currently.”
-Devin from UNOS
Multiple collaboration sessions with UNOS Labs played a critical role in validating the solution, finalizing design, and aligning it with both stakeholders' needs and organizational goals. At the end, I handed off the mobile prototype design files to OPOs to keep validate our deliverables and our team will be picthing Numa to UNOs.
REFLECTION
Prototyping for humanity
These meetings and feedback loops with UNOS Labs were essential in validating my solution, refining the design, and ensuring its alignment with user needs and business goals.
Through this collaboration, I ensured that my product was not only user-friendly and efficient but also met the high standards of the organ transplant community.
