ROLE
UX/UI Designer & Product Lead
COMPANY
Aptamer Therapeutics
(Pre-seed startup)
TEAM
Lead Solution Architect / Full Stack Developer / Lead QA + Cyber Security Specialist
Problem
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Medication dosage depends on multiple personal factors like weight, age, and health conditions. Existing tools are often complex or require too much input, which increases confusion and risk for users.
BUSINESS GOAL
The startup’s goal was to validate its idea and attract early investor interest through a working MVP. This version of the product needed to demonstrate the potential for AI-driven dosage recommendations while providing a smooth, user-friendly experience for both patients and clinicians.
PRODUCT STRATEGY
To deliver within a 6-week timeline, I focused on a lean MVP.
I prioritized core flows (onboarding, dosage input, results, history) and designed the product as a repeat-use experience instead of a one-time calculator. Advanced features were intentionally scoped for future iterations.
Overview
COMPANY BRIEF
Aptamer Therapeutics is a pre-seed biotech startup developing an AI-powered platform for personalized drug delivery using microneedle patches and biosensor technology.
MY ROLE IN THIS FEATURE
I led the end-to-end design and product direction of the MVP. I defined core user flows, scoped features, and designed the full interface while working closely with developers to ensure feasibility and smooth handoff.
Solution Preview
New Patient Onboarding Experience
Dosage Recommendation Result Display
Daily Dosage Input Form
Results
RESULTS & IMPACT
Our success metrics focused on delivering a functional, developer-ready MVP that demonstrated the potential of AI driven dosage personalization. These metrics highlight how we balanced usability, technical feasibility, and delivery efficiency within a tight 6-week timeline:
Functional MVP Delivered
Delivered a functional MVP in 6 weeks, enabling stakeholders to validate the product direction and move toward investor discussions
Developer - Ready Assets
Created developer-ready designs and documentation
User Clarity
Simplified dosage input through guided UI and structured flows
Scalable Product Foundation
Designed the product to support future hardware integration (e.g., microneedle patch), enabling real-time dosage without redesigning core flows.
REFLECTION
This project strengthened my ability to balance UX design, product strategy, and real constraints in a startup environment.
I learned how to prioritize features based on impact, align with developers and stakeholders, and adapt quickly when product direction changed.
If I continued this project, I would focus on real user testing and accessibility improvements.
Process
Research
PRODUCT DESIGN PROCESS
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
I analyzed existing medication and health apps. Many relied on complex medical language or required too many inputs, which created friction and confusion.
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UX BENCHMARKING
I identified that most tools required too many inputs upfront, so I designed a guided, step-by-step flow to reduce drop-off and improve completion
KEY INSIGHTS
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Users need clarity and trust when interacting with medical tools.
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Simple language, guided inputs, and clean layouts increase confidence.
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Accessibility is often overlooked, especially for older users.
Define
PRODUCT DESIGN PROCESS
Key User Types
CORE FEATURES & BUSINESS GOAL
Build a functional MVP that personalizes medication dosage recommendations and supports future clinical workflows.
Core Feature 1: AI-driven dosage calculation
Build logic to generate personalized dosage suggestions
Core Feature 2: Patient app experience
Mobile-first UI, onboarding, daily flow, history
MVP SCOPE & CONSTRAINTS
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Ideation
PRODUCT DESIGN PROCESS
USER FLOW
I mapped key user journeys to reduce friction and guide users clearly through the product:
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New user onboarding → account creation → setup complete
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Daily dosage form → AI-powered dosage result
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View dosage history
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Edit profile + health info
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Future flow placeholders:
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Patch connection
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Accessibility settings
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Marketplace (future medication ordering)
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These flows helped guide the UI structure and made development handoff easier.
EARLY WIREFRAMES
I created low-fidelity wireframes to test layout ideas and simplify flows.
Focus areas:
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One question per screen
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Simple input patterns (radio buttons, dropdowns, toggles)
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Clear navigation (large buttons, etc)
Product Direction Shift
STAKEHOLDER ALIGNMENT
My initial concept was a one-time dosage calculator.
After aligning with developers and stakeholders, we realized the product needed to be a full app experience rather than a single-use tool. I adjusted the product direction by expanding flows to include onboarding, daily usage, and history while staying within the timeline.
This shift improved the product’s long-term usability and aligned it with stakeholder expectations.
Redesign
FINALIZE FEATURES
I expanded the product into a full app experience and finalized key features while aligning with development constraints. I redesigned the flows into a true product experience, added onboarding, login, history, dashboard, and profile screens. I then shared updated UI screens internally, aligned with dev constraints, and handed off final design files. The developers began implementing the design, and I supported them through feedback and adjustments.
The final UI is clean, medically-aligned, and scalable and reflects Aptamer’s product vision for personalized medication delivery.
PRODUCT OUTCOME
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Delivered a functional MVP within 6 weeks
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Enabled developer implementation with full design handoff
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Established a scalable foundation for future product expansion
Design Breakdown
New Patient Onboarding Experience
Problem
Users may feel overwhelmed entering sensitive health data, especially in a medical context.
Design Decisions
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One question per screen to reduce cognitive load
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Clear progress indicator to show completion
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“Why we ask this” tooltips to explain sensitive inputs
Why it Matters
This approach increases completion rates and builds trust early, which is critical for healthcare products.
Dosage Recommendation Result
Problem
Users need to quickly understand and trust a medical recommendation without confusion.
Design Decisions
Highlight dosage clearly at the top •
Use simple language instead of medical jargon •
Add safety messaging for responsible use •
Provide clear next actions (save, recalculate) •
Why it Matters
This improves user trust and ensures users can confidently act on the recommendation.
Daily Dosage Input Flow
Problem
Frequent users need a fast, repeatable way to input daily conditions.
Design Decisions
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Conversational input format (buttons, toggles)
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Progressive disclosure (only show more questions when needed)
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Minimal typing required
Why it Matters
This reduces friction and encourages consistent daily use, supporting long-term engagement.