Introduction
ROLE
Lead Product Designer - Master's Thesis, Georgia Tech
TEAM
Jordan Brown, Lead UX Researcher
Dr. Andrea Parker, Advisor (Wellness Technology Lab)
Vanessa Oguamanam, Advisor (Wellness Technology Lab)
Collaborated with HCI and public health experts
IMPACT
• Created a culturally relevant prototype grounded in real mom and dad needs
• Used in ongoing grant conversations for Black maternal health initiatives
Why This Work Mattered
Black moms are 3–4x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. Many face mental health struggles in silence. Too many digital tools ignore their emotional and cultural realities, and center babies, not moms.
Our Question:
How might we design a digital product that supports the emotional and social needs of Black perinatal mothers?
What We Learned
To ground the design in real needs, we engaged:
• 34 Black perinatal moms (focus groups & co-design)
• 4 Black moms and 2 Black dads (3 Design Sprints)
• HCI & public health experts (walkthroughs + validation)
• 34 Black perinatal moms (focus groups & co-design)
• 4 Black moms and 2 Black dads (3 Design Sprints)
• HCI & public health experts (walkthroughs + validation)
The following themes emerged:
Design Sprint 1: Broad Vision
Solution: A wearable + mobile app with:
• Task-sharing
• Emotional check-ins
• Event discovery
• Community donations
Problem: It was too much. Moms liked the idea, but said they needed support, not features.
Lesson: Social connection was the real gap.
Design Sprint 2: With Dads
We brought in Black fathers.
They wanted to support their partners, but felt unsure how.
We added:
• Shared calendars
• Virtual events for dads
• Gender-neutral tones
Lesson: Dads don’t need access; they need onboarding.
Design Sprint 3: Refinement + Evaluation
Methods: Cognitive walkthroughs with moms and HCI experts
We learned:
• Childcare finder needed ratings
• Request flows were too nested
• Donations needed flexible amounts
We made those changes, then moved into high-fidelity.
Final Design Features
• Voice-first access
• Social connection tools
• Flexible for different income levels
• Inclusive of dads
• Social connection tools
• Flexible for different income levels
• Inclusive of dads
Key Features:
• Your Village: Home hub with reminders, events, and check-ins
• Gatherings: RSVP to events and invite your circle
• Pass It On: Donate items, funds, or time — anonymously
Final Takeaway
This project taught us to slow down and co-create.
Designing for Black maternal health is about listening. Co-creating. And honoring real needs.
"Giving birth should never be a death sentence."
— Focus group participant
This project was one step toward ensuring it never is.
