DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
ZLAHL : COCO is grounded in the principle of compassionate technology. The idea emerged from observing the anxiety and confusion older adults face when navigating health-related decisions. Inspired by the warmth of pet companionship, COCO blends AI with a comforting presence to support users emotionally and cognitively.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
ZLAHL : The core focus was to humanize AI interactions for older adults, making health knowledge accessible and emotionally resonant. I aimed to reduce information overwhelm and increase confidence in managing chronic conditions, like diabetes, through gentle guidance and visual empathy.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
ZLAHL : I plan to continue refining COCO with user testing, particularly within senior communities. The long-term vision includes releasing it as a standalone mobile assistant with expanded features and applying for funding or partnerships for clinical validation.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
ZLAHL : The initial concept, research, design, branding, and first prototype took approximately 3 months. This included user interviews, accessibility testing, and multiple visual iterations.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
ZLAHL : This was an independent passion project born from personal inspiration. I witnessed firsthand how older relatives struggled with digital health tools. I pursued COCO to fill that emotional and usability gap.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
ZLAHL : COCO is not yet developed. While I am open to licensing or partnerships, I intend to maintain creative control to preserve its vision and integrity.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
ZLAHL : My background in accessible design and interest in elder tech led me to focus on this underserved group. There is a notable lack of emotionally supportive, well-designed health tools for people aged 50 and above.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
ZLAHL : Yes, the emotional storytelling in apps like Duolingo and the approachable tone of Totoro-like mascots inspired COCO’s friendly interface. I also drew from healthcare UI patterns but softened their tone for emotional approachability.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
ZLAHL : COCO is designed for newly diagnosed diabetic adults aged 50+, especially those who feel intimidated by traditional medical apps and are seeking emotional reassurance alongside practical guidance.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
ZLAHL : Most health apps focus on tracking or clinical metrics. COCO focuses on emotional trust, combining AI explanations with visual storytelling and a mascot that feels like a caring companion.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
ZLAHL : “COCO” is short, soft, and easy to remember—designed for ease of pronunciation among older users. It evokes the warmth of a pet’s name while also being abstract enough to feel brandable and tech-friendly.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
ZLAHL : I used Figma for UX/UI.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
ZLAHL : The fusion of AI explanations with emotion support. It’s not just a tool — it becomes a relationship.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
ZLAHL : This was a solo project, though I consulted informally with a gerontologist and two seniors with diabetes to ensure empathy and clarity in the experience.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
ZLAHL : Technology powers the AI health assistant that offers real-time food and recipe feedback. But it’s intentionally masked by a friendly interface to make it less intimidating.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
ZLAHL : Yes, I conducted secondary research on diabetes self-management and health literacy in older populations. I also synthesized insights from interviews and accessibility guidelines for aging users.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
ZLAHL : The biggest challenge was balancing clarity with emotional tone. Medical information needed to be accurate yet feel caring — finding the right voice took multiple iterations.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
ZLAHL : I believe COCO’s mission aligns with global design values — inclusive, empowering, and empathetic. Sharing it on an international stage can spark conversations about aging, health, and emotional design.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
ZLAHL : This project deepened my understanding of inclusive design, not just in physical accessibility but emotional usability. It also sharpened my storytelling skills across branding and interface design.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ZLAHL : Only that COCO isn’t just a product — it’s a belief that older adults deserve technology that cares, comforts, and champions them. It’s a gentle rebellion against cold, clinical design.
