Fern Health: A compassionate design system for chronic pain management.
Empathy-Driven Design for Real People
Leading the creation of a design system for healing.
Leading with Compassion
Chronic pain affects every aspect of life, and too often, people feel unseen or misunderstood in their journey to find relief. I led a team to create the design system driven by a shared commitment to understanding and addressing the real human experience of living with pain.
Acknowledging the Human Experience
Our design system was intentionally built with empathy and compassion at its core, aiming to provide a safe, warm, and supportive environment for users navigating their most vulnerable moments.
Consistency and Clarity for Empowerment
Together, we structured the system to acknowledge the emotional and physical uncertainty that comes with chronic pain, ensuring that every interaction reflected the human experience. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about creating an atmosphere that makes users feel heard, valued, and empowered in their pursuit of better health.
Fern as a Compassionate Companion
By aligning our design principles with development efficiencies, we were able to ensure consistency across components while optimizing performance and scalability. For users, this means a seamless, intuitive experience that guides them with clarity and ease, empowering them to take control of their pain management journey.
Through this work, Fern became more than just a tool—it’s a compassionate companion that supports users every step of the way.
Fern’s Design Principles
Principles that not only drove our team but shaped the design, voice, and interactions for a cohesive and empathetic user experience.
Empathy and Compassion
Every interaction should reflect understanding, care, and genuine support for users experiencing chronic pain.
Inclusive
Design solutions that are accessible and resonate with diverse users, considering a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and health conditions.
Human Experience
Focus on the lived experiences of users, ensuring the product resonates deeply with their emotional and physical needs.
Transparency & Trust
Build trust through transparency in the way data is handled, communicated, and used, creating a safe space for users.
Clarity & Simplicity
Prioritize simplicity in design, making interactions intuitive and easy to navigate, especially during challenging moments.
Support & Growth
Ensure the design fosters motivation and encouragement, helping users feel empowered to take control of their health journey.
Through this work, Fern became more than just a tool—it’s a compassionate companion that supports users every step of the way.
By aligning our design principles with development efficiencies, we were able to ensure consistency across components while optimizing performance and scalability. For users, this means a seamless, intuitive experience that guides them with clarity and ease, empowering them to take control of their pain management journey.
