FORMOSA

(Latin, Beauty)

Seamlessly integrated.
effortlessly streamlined.

The ethical guidepost for the beauty industry.

OVERVIEW

For my final year university project, I developed a software that aims to perfectly balance accurate pre-treatment visualizations with strict ethical standards, empowering users to make informed decisions for their wellbeing.

The software provides realistic, simulations of non-surgical treatments, offering users transparent previews of potential outcomes, thus reducing uncertainties and boosting confidence in their choices.

Additionally, the project addresses crucial ethical considerations within the beauty treatment industry, ensuring portrayals of treatment results are realistic and grounded. It emphasizes user safety and informed consent by incorporating educational content about the advantages and limitations of non-surgical procedures.
ROLE
UX & UI Design
DATE
October 2023 - March 2024

PROBLEM?

Individuals seeking non-invasive beauty treatments require methods to visualize post-treatment outcomes, but this raises ethical concerns regarding realistic expectations, consent, and emotional impacts.

CUSTOMER UNCERTAINTY

Users frequently have uncertainty regarding the effects of non-invasive cosmetic treatments due to a dearth of visualisation tools. This can result in dissatisfaction,hesitancy, and uninformed decision-making regarding their well-being

INFORMATION OVERLOAD

The abundance of contradictory information surrounding cosmetic treatments is a challenge for consumers when making decisions

PRIVACY CONCERNS

There is a growing worry about how personal data is being used and the lack of privacy in digital beauty solutions

LACK OF INTERGRATION

There is a need for integrated platforms that can provide both visualisation tools and management solutions designed specifically for non-invasive treatments

SOLUTION

Creating a software that balances pre-treatment visualization with ethical considerations and allowing clinics to run an efficient operation is essential for users & clinics to make informed decisions for their well-being

DESIGN PROCESS - DOUBLE DIAMOND

I used a User Centered process as it prioritises the user by including their requirements, preferences, and constraints into the design process. To understand potential users’ expectations and concerns about non-invasive beauty treatments, I will engage them through interviews, surveys, and usability testing. This approach is crucial for addressing ethical issues related to realistic outcomes and informed consent.

01 DISCOVER

SECONDARY RESEARCH

I started by conducting a thorough analysis of literature reviews, articles, blogs, and videos to immerse myself in the nuances of the non-invasive beauty treatment industry. This research was crucial for understanding the existing market dynamics, technological advancements, consumer expectations, and regulatory considerations. By examining a broad spectrum of sources, I was able to identify both opportunities and challenges within the sector, gain insights into the latest product innovations, and understand the technological capabilities driving the industry forward. To build something truly valuable, I knew I had to understand the needs of both the users seeking treatments and the clinics providing them. I conducted extensive research, including surveys and interviews, to uncover their pain points and desires:

Users: Wanted a way to visualize their treatment outcomes with realistic accuracy. They sought reassurance and clarity—something that most existing apps lacked.
Clinics: Needed an efficient platform to manage appointments, client records, and consent forms while adhering to privacy regulations.

Key Insight:I realized that Formosa had to be more than just a visualization tool. It needed to be a comprehensive solution, balancing user empowerment with clinical efficiency.

to sum it up...

competitors

There are plenty of programmes that predict your post-surgery appearance for surgical beauty treatments, but the same cannot be said for non-surgical procedures. For non-surgical treatments, there are only three apps that partially provide this service, however they are highly expensive and have numerous flaws.

The three existing apps are (A)BeautyFix, (B)EntityMed & (C)AEDIT, they use AI and 3D technology to allow users to see how they would look with fillers and injectables. A normative evaluation approach was employed to systematically compare these technologies and services, assessing their efficacy, applicability, potential impact in mitigating soil-related challenges and mainly human factors. Due to the market being untapped, these are the only competitors out there.
These applications were reviewed by me, friends, and supplied them to two clinics for utilisation and received feedback, which were:
Pros
- Simple to use
- EntityMed gives a free trial
- Has the most common treatments to try
- Quick results
- Clean interface
Cons
- Poor user interface
- Only 5 - 7 treatments available, very limited
- Expensive - Results are not consistent and not greatly accurate
- White label for clinics are limited in terms of customisation
- No information on the treatments

THE UX THEORIES I BELIEVE WOULD BE BEST

02 DEFINE

INTERVIEW & ONLINE ANONYMOUS SURVEY

I enriched my research on non-invasive cosmetic treatments by conducting five Zoom user interviews and three expert interviews with beauticians. User interviews helped gather insights on expectations and concerns about treatment result visualization, utilizing the geographical diversity and convenience of online platforms. Expert interviews validated the technical and medical accuracy of the app, ensuring it meets professional standards.

Additionally, an anonymous survey via Google Forms captured user motivations and expectations, enhancing the app’s feature set to better align with user needs. These efforts collectively informed the app development, ensuring it addresses both user expectations and professional standards effectively.

the fun part! THEMATIC ANALYSIS findings

CUSTOMISATION

  1. Whole app needs to be tailored for each user.
  2. Personalised follow ups using notifications and emails.
  3. Clinics using different brands.
  • Allowing users to control the intensity level of selected treatment.

INFLUENCES

  1. Biggest influence for users is social media such as Instagram & TikTok.
  2. Influencers who promote their sponsors and share their opinion on these social media platforms.
  3. Family & friends
  • Personal insecurities

CLIENT EXPECTATIONS

  1. Users wants to see before and after pictures that look like them (could use AI).
  2. Tailoring service
  3. Consistent communication throughout the app
  • Honesty

ETHICAL FEATURES

  1. Seeing the simulation of the whole process is demanded, from swelling stage all the way to final healed results (could implement an level bar for users to control the simulation).
  2. Promote healthy/wellness treatments apps in the treatment selection screen (visually highlight the healthy treatments to catch users eyes first).
  3. User wants to control the intensity level of a treatment, for example how much ml is being used for Botox (implement the same level bar for users to control).
  • Highlighting clinics using organic & vegan products.
  • Only show clinics with licensed practitioners.

an unexpected issue

However, integrating these features was not straightforward. Ensuring accuracy while providing a high degree of customization required advanced AI algorithms and careful design to avoid creating unrealistic expectations. Moreover, users wanted to see only licensed practitioners and clinics using organic and vegan products, which added another layer of complexity to the platform’s design and data management.

Adapting to Feedback:
I rethought the app’s architecture to include a detailed simulation tool that allows users to control treatment intensity and see realistic outcomes over time. I also ensured the app prioritized transparency by highlighting ethical clinics and treatments, building trust and aligning with user values. This approach not only enhanced user satisfaction but also upheld the app’s commitment to ethical standards.

USER PERSONAS

Name: Elizabeth
Age: 43
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Married
Bio: Brittany is a mother of 3, a hardworking interior designer. She is actively a part of her local fitness club and design community. Her family and participation of her communities is everything to her.
Occupation: Design Director
Location: London, UK
Roles: Sister, Mother, Design Director
Qualifications: Bachelor’s of Arts, Interior DesignSkills: Organisation, Creativity, Discipline, Coordination
Hobbies: Socialising, Designing, Rock Climbing

Goals and Needs:
Elizabeth, as a design director, needs technologies that speed project management, client contact, and design visualisation in order to efficiently manage several projects. She is looking for ways to combine her hard business and family life, with the goal of spending quality time with her children while also attending their school and extracurricular activities. Elizabeth values continual professional growth and finds opportunities to keep up with the newest developments in interior design and management methods. She requires methods to manage her family’s schedule, which includes school events, medical visits, and extracurricular activities.

Pain Points:
Time constraints: She struggles to find enough time to adequately complete both her career and family commitments.

Stress Management: She experiences stress as a result of the pressure of constantly multitasking and fulfilling high expectations in both her professional and personal lives.

Technology Integration: Has difficulty integrating technology that fulfils her professional and personal demands without becoming overpowering or disruptive.

Resource Allocation: Struggles to delegate chores at work and at home, frequently feeling the need to personally oversee every aspect.

Relevant Patterns of Behaviour:
Delegation: Has a tendency to micromanage, yet understands the importance of delegating duties to preserve efficiency.

Digital Usage: Heavily reliant on digital tools for organisation, but favours user-friendly solutions with minimal learning curve.

Scheduling: Uses online calendars and scheduling software extensively to manage her time and family obligations.

Networking: Actively engages with other professionals through social media and industry events to stay current on trends and opportunities.

Personality:
Driven: She is highly motivated and committed to achieving greatness in both her professional and personal life.

Organised: She is exceptionally skilled at organising places and schedules, a skill that she applies in both her professional and personal lives.

Detail-Oriented: Pays considerable attention to details, which is important in her role as an interior design director.

Adaptable: Capable of adapting to new situations and obstacles while maintaining resilience and a gentle touch when dealing with family and clients.

user journey

CONCEPTS

I began with initial sketches and wireframes, aiming to create a simple and intuitive interface. However, the first versions felt too cluttered and lacked focus. I was a bit frustrated but knew I needed to refine my approach.

Pivot Moment: I decided to strip back the design to its core—focusing on simplicity and usability. I introduced features like a personalized dashboard for clinics to manage patient data seamlessly. This shift helped me align the app more closely with user needs.

  • S2 dual-core processor
  • Built-in GPS and GLONASS
  • Water resistant 50 meters
  • Ion-X glass
  • 2x brighter OLED Retina display with Force Touch (1000 nits)
  • Ceramic Back
  • Digital Crown
  • Heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Direct fire speaker and microphone
  • Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz)
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • Up to 18 hours of battery life
  • watchOS 3

App with multiple integrations

This concept does not completely incorporate the pre-treatment tool into the clinic’s apps. Instead, it grants the user the freedom to initially select whichever section of the app they wish to explore. The pre-treatment section provides a pre-visualization scan and a treatment centre that enables users to access comprehensive information on the therapy, including customer ratings, benefits, and precautions.

Live scan/filter/AR

This proposal demonstrates to the user their real-time appearance after undergoing a treatment, with the same scanning technology as the previous concept. However, it specifically focuses on the treatment area rather than scanning the entire face unnecessarily. Utilising augmented reality and filter technology, the software will apply the treatment to your face, allowing for comprehensive viewing and assessment from all angles.

Smart Mirrors with AR

Mirrors that are integrated with augmented reality (AR) technology. The intelligent mirror has the capability to display to users their appearance following different beauty treatments.  Users have the ability to experiment with various appearances, such as post-facial treatments, simulated botox effects, or virtual cosmetics applications, in real-time.

Mask Analyser

While LED light therapy masks already exists, these can be advanced with highly accurate 3D scanning technology. Users can scan their face then upload it to their device, customizing their non-surgical treatments at home.

Face Sculptor

This device, which bears a resemblance to a facial roller, has a sleek and modern design. It is equipped with sophisticated sensors and a compact screen display that allows the user to select the purpose of the scan. Users perform a facial scan by delicately rolling over their face. The device utilises advanced technology to accurately record intricate facial characteristics and contours, enabling the creation of a precise 3D model that can be transferred to another device. Finally, the user has the option to incorporate any non-invasive treatment into the 3D model scan for previsualization on an external device.

Scan 3D Machine

Similar to a skin analyzer machine, this AI-powered physical device examines and evaluates the state of an individual’s facial complexion. AI-powered systems may include sophisticated algorithms and image analysis techniques to get a more thorough review, while the physical machine relies on sensors, 3D, and imaging technology to do similar assessments. Both endeavours strive to enhance individuals’ comprehension of their facial anatomy and characteristics.

PUGH ANALYSIS

To enhance concept 1, AI functionality from Concept 2 was integrated to use historical data for improving the accuracy of treatment visualizations. This merger combines Concept 1’s user-centric design with Concept 2’s AI precision, significantly boosting the app’s value by providing precise, personalized visual feedback. This strategic integration ensures the final design not only facilitates a seamless user experience but also maintains high reliability and user satisfaction, blending user-friendliness with advanced technology effectively.

03 DEVELOP

mapping

IA CARD SORTING

POPULAR PLACEMENTS MATRIX

THE RESULTS MATRIX

I conducted closed-ended card sorting for my Information architecture with 5 participants. The card sorting exercise was crucial in refining the app’s structure, revealing users’ intuitive reasoning that differed from initial assumptions.

Notably, participants expected the calendar on the home screen, not in “My Clinic.” Based on this feedback, I redesigned the app’s information architecture to align with user expectations, creating a more intuitive and enjoyable experience.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE - CLINIC SIDE

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE - USER SIDE

wireframes

human data interaction

user & expert evaluations

Throughout the app development process, four evaluations were conducted—two with users and two with experts. A comprehensive evaluation strategy focusing on usability, content, and efficacy was implemented. To ensure the app meets the high standards required for an immersive and effective experience, user testing was conducted with seven individuals using the Figma prototype feature, allowing for real-time feedback and iterative improvements.

first user evaluation

I initially conducted user testing with individuals who have experienced or are considering undergoing beauty treatments. For usability testing, I employed heuristic evaluation. Additionally, I utilized a Likert scale to gauge content quality and efficacy, complemented by the “thinking out loud” technique to capture real-time, in-depth user feedback.

first expert evaluation

For expert testing, I engaged professionals who are experienced in the field of beauty treatments such as clinic owners and beauticians.

final set of evaluations

A final set of evaluations ensured the app's design was top-notch and engaging. To test the app's usability and functioning, I tested it with many users and experts. This allowed me to alter the user experience depending on immediate feedback.

View full evaluations via FigJam.

04 DELIVER

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storyboard

SOCIAL ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS.

Access to Non-Invasive Beauty Treatments: The app makes previously unaffordable non-invasive beauty treatment alternatives more accessible to consumers from a wider range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

Body Image Perception: The app may have an impact on how society views beauty and how each person views themselves by visualising the results of therapy, which could raise expectations for outward appearance.

Privacy Issues: The app must balance its social duty to protect user privacy with the collecting of personal data for personalised treatment recommendations.

Social Pressure: If the app's visualisations skew towards idealised results, there's a chance that it will unintentionally exacerbate social pressure to adhere to particular beauty standards.

Ethical Implications

Informed Consent: The app has an ethical obligation to make sure users are fully informed about the therapies they are thinking about, including the risks, restrictions, and likely results.

Data Ethics: Consent, security, and user rights are among the ethical duties associated with the gathering, using, and storing of sensitive user data, particularly photos and private health information.

Marketing Ethics: The application must avoid inflating benefits or downplaying concerns in order to strike a balance between business objectives and moral marketing principles.

Equity and Inclusion: It's critical to make sure the app is accessible to people with disabilities and inclusive, serving a diverse user base free from bias in its algorithms and design.

In addition to adhering to legal requirements, the app's design and functionality has given careful consideration to these social and ethical considerations in order to prevent dark patterns, preserve user welfare, and trust.

TRY OUT PROTOTYPE

Best optimised for Figma app.

OUTCOMES
The project achieved significant outcomes by enhancing the visualization capabilities of the app, which now provides realistic previews of potential cosmetic treatment outcomes, helping users set accurate expectations. The iterative design process, enriched by continuous feedback from both users and experts, refined the app to meet rigorous user needs and industry standards. Technological innovations, particularly the integration of AI and 3D scanning technologies, have significantly improved user experiences and showcased the potential for future advancements in the beauty industry.

This project effectively set a new standard for the visualization of non-invasive cosmetic treatments, evolving from a concept to a sophisticated app through rigorous research, user-focused design, and ethical deliberation. Influenced significantly by expert and user feedback, the app underscores an iterative, human-centered design approach, enhancing user empowerment and decision-making while adhering to strict privacy and ethical standards
TAKEAWAYS
Key takeaways from the project include a strong commitment to ethical considerations, notably in maintaining user privacy and data security, which underscores the project’s dedication to responsible innovation. The app has empowered users by offering detailed, customizable visualizations and comprehensive treatment information, enabling informed decision-making. Plans for future development include the integration of community features and loyalty programs to foster a supportive beauty culture and enhance user engagement. Additionally, the project demonstrated a viable and scalable business model that benefits both clinics and end-users, positioning the app as a leader in merging technology with beauty treatment solutions.

Future developments will continue to integrate community elements and loyalty programs, aiming to create not just an app but a comprehensive platform that fosters a positive beauty culture. This blend of technology and user-centric principles illustrates the potential for technology to enrich user experiences without compromising individual welfare or societal values.

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