Legacy
Legacy
STI Test results
In early 2022, Legacy wanted to expand its test offerings by starting with STI testing—both to offer a more comprehensive suite of products and also because STI testing is required by law in many US states before freezing sperm.
Designing detection test results is tricky. Since STI test results are binary, my natural instinct was to use familiar colors and shapes with semantic values (green/red and checkmarks/crosses), but I very quickly ran into a problem.
Testing positive for an STI is, technically positive… but it’s not good news.
In any other case, ✅ = 😀. However, in this case, it’s very much a ☹️.
In early 2022, Legacy wanted to expand its test offerings by starting with STI testing—both to offer a more comprehensive suite of products and also because STI testing is required by law in many US states before freezing sperm.
Designing detection test results is tricky. Since STI test results are binary, my natural instinct was to use familiar colors and shapes with semantic values (green/red and checkmarks/crosses), but I very quickly ran into a problem.
Testing positive for an STI is, technically positive… but it’s not good news.
In any other case, ✅ = 😀. However, in this case, it’s very much a ☹️.
Hypothesis
Associating positive semantic visuals with a negative emotion creates confusion.
Hypothesis
Associating positive semantic visuals with a negative emotion creates confusion.
The process
I tested a few iterations of the test results (some examples below) and reception was indeed poor.
The process
I tested a few iterations of the test results (some examples below) and reception was indeed poor.
Going back to the drawing board, I talked with our resident healthcare experts and did additional research. Traditional test results are plain and simple and simply list the test performed and the result using text.
Going back to the drawing board, I talked with our resident healthcare experts and did additional research. Traditional test results are plain and simple and simply list the test performed and the result using text.
Results
I ended up with a final version that, while at first glance might seem harder to read, is closer to what a result sheet looks like in a traditional healthcare facility. It ends up being more familiar to both clinicians and patients, while also being legible and available online for all parties.
Results
I ended up with a final version that, while at first glance might seem harder to read, is closer to what a result sheet looks like in a traditional healthcare facility. It ends up being more familiar to both clinicians and patients, while also being legible and available online for all parties.
