Redefining UI Design Through Illness
Joanne Lopez
How Illness Changed the Way I See UI Design
— by Joanne
🌡️ The Moment That Sparked It All
This was just one of those days where even reaching for my phone felt like a chore. My energy was low, my focus scattered. I wasn’t looking for beauty or novelty. I was simply trying to get through the day.
As I tapped around my phone, I noticed something: I was only using the most essential apps, and even those sometimes felt overwhelming.
And it got me thinking:
How functional must a UI be for it to truly be called good?
🤔 Design for the Real World — Not the Ideal One
When we’re healthy, alert, and energized, it’s easy to appreciate:
Slick animations
Beautiful gradients
Well-crafted micro-interactions
But when you're sick, tired, or stressed, those same elements can become:
Distracting
Slow
Or even confusing
In that state, I didn’t care if the button was perfectly rounded or if the font was cutting-edge.
I just needed clarity. Speed. Ease.
🎯 The Real Goal of Good UI
A good UI isn’t just about how it looks.
It’s about how it works, especially when people aren’t at their best.
It should be intuitive
Effortless
Supportive in real-life situations, not just ideal ones
This experience reminded me:
Design isn’t here to impress. It’s here to serve.
💡 An Idea Was Born
While in that reflective, foggy state, I thought:
What would a truly helpful healthcare experience look like—especially when you're unwell?
I imagined an app with a simple AI assistant:
No complicated navigation
No endless forms
Just one thing: Speak to it, and it finds the care you need
Talk. Get help. Done.
🔁 The Takeaway
This little moment of illness gave me a big reminder:
Design should make life easier—not just prettier.
If someone needs help, your interface shouldn’t get in the way.
It should be the help.
🙌 Let’s Build What Matters
If you're passionate about building products that serve real human needs—even when users are at their lowest—I’d love to connect.
💡 I design UI that’s not just functional, but human-centered.
Like this project
Posted May 28, 2025
The result is a concept for a voice-first healthcare app that helps users find and book a doctor instantly, with no confusion, and no cognitive overload.
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