Osteoboost.
A non-pharmaceutical alternative for bone loss.

Team

Chandlyr Jackson—Design Lead
Jeanette Numbers—Project Lead
Allison Linkugel—UX Designer
Sydney Lang—UX Designer
Bone Health Technologies—Client

2021—2023

Capabilities

UX Design
UI Design
Brand Identity

Learn more ↓

What if people living with Osteoporosis no longer needed to take medication?

Bone Health Technologies, a Bay Area startup developing a non-pharmaceutical alternative for people living with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis, came to Nova to design a connected experience, linking a wearable device with a mobile app.

The team at Bone Health Tech. identified that several patients dealing with bone loss were very eager to try an alternative solution that didn’t require them taking a medication, and were excited to develop a holistic solution that considered the wearable, daily activity, and daily calcium intake tracking.

So, what is Osteoboost?

Osteoboost is the first vibration belt specifically designed to reduce the decline in bone strength and bone density in post-menopausal women with osteopenia.

This technology leverages 15 years of published research (starting with NASA) proving that vibration at a precise amplitude and frequency stimulates bones. Osteoboost delivers the optimal therapeutic dose directly to the most vulnerable anatomy, the hips and lumbar spine.

Understanding Our Users

How can we meet the goals & needs of our core user groups?

With Bone Health’s guidance, we honed in on 3 core user groups that would be the majority of Osteoboost’s users. We considered factors such as age, tech familiarity, feature density and the need for community.

Product Roadmapping

What are the physical & digital points of interaction?

Taking into consideration user needs, physical and digital interaction, and feature sets, we were able to help the client paint a clearer vision of their short-term and long-term goals.

With that, we were able to identify the features that must be included within the app MVP.

Navigational Structure

How will users navigate the app?

We started the concept development process by first taking a look at the high-level navigational structure, focusing on two main directions:

1. Traditional bottom nav
2. Card navigation

Concept Development

What is the ideal feature hierarchy?

On a daily basis, users will be using their Osteoboost belt for 30 minutes per day, and on average of 5 to 7 days out of the week. In the early concept phase, we chose to place a high emphasis on the informational output of ‘device usage’ on the main screen.

Device Session screens—information hierarchy exploration

Concept bucket 1—”Set it & Forget it”

Concept bucket 2—"Convenience & Simplicity”

Concept bucket 3—"Connected & Invested”

Brand Identity Development

How might we develop an identity for a science-based, consumer-forward, connected experience?

Bone Health Technologies was in need of an identity for their product, Osteoboost. Before we went further into designing the app, we shifted our focus into designing its visual system. Ultimately, we knew that this would help guide and refine the user experience and user interface.

Because my team at Nova was working on both the physical and digital product experiences, it was important that the essence of connection and continuity were conveyed.

User Interface Development

Refining informational hierarchy & visual treatment

Chosen hierarchy direction—"Holistic Bone Health Overview”

The Bonehealth team decided to move forward with a modular card navigational structure because they felt that it was important to showcase a holistic approach to bone health beyond just completing device sessions.

Creating a moment of delight & motivation

As the user opens the app, they are greeted with a brief loading animation, showing them an overview of their daily progress as it relates to their exercise, calcium intake, device usage and any other medications that they are taking.

Development-ready screens

Fully-functional and ready for Beta mode

We partnered with an independent software development group, Township, to build the first functional version of the Osteoboost app throughout 2022 and 2023.

Onboarding—Device connection