Fast and easy first aid via app for families with critically ill children

The app extends the help offered by the non-profit organisation Stiftung Ambulantes Kinderhospiz München (AKM) to the smartphone. The iOS and Android app offers affected families orientation after diagnosis and condenses relevant knowledge for their exceptional situation. The immediate help is available around the clock as a contact point in crisis situations. With the app, AKM is realizing its vision of being a support for families throughout Germany.

The Challenge

The personal consulting approach needed to be translated into the digital context. The right tone and level of detail had to be identified. Complex issues had to be simplified and sensitive topics had to be presented in a way that was appropriate for the target group. The structure of the app had to be easy to grasp, while at the same time offering flexibility for future expansions.

The Result

The app supports affected families in crisis situations and makes the non-profit organisation’s knowledge and network available throughout Germany. The app offers an extensive knowledge database, a search function for experts in the area, a help hotline for guidance and immediate help, a 24 hours chat with experts (for adults, teenagers and kids). A designated Kids Zone explains illness in a child-friendly way, in order to offer support to affected children themselves as well as their siblings.

Our Approach

The team of DieProduktMacher designed and implemented the app in close cooperation with AKM. Together we developed the appropriate tonality, the app name (“Mut - In Illness and Crisis”) and the launch communication.

1. Kickoff workshop:
In the joint kickoff, the strategic goals, the target groups of the app and the project phases were discussed.

2. UX conception:
In an iterative process, the areas of the app were elaborated and visualised as a wireframe. On this basis, the app vision became tangible for the client for the first time.

3. Lean branding:
Within the framework of our workshop format “Lean Branding”, the design language, the tone of voice and content guidelines as well as the app name “Courage - in illness and crisis” were developed.

4. User tests:
A prototype and the design language were tested with affected families. In addition, expert feedback was obtained from AKM staff who are in daily contact with the families. This ensured that user needs were properly prioritised in the concept.

5. UI design:
The design language should be appropriate to the theme and at the same time have a positive mood. Colours, fonts and the illustration style were defined. In addition to a pattern library, the central screens were visualised.

6. Copywriting and low barriers:
The overriding goal is low-threshold access to all information. For this reason, the app was designed to be multilingual and all content was translated into easy-to-use language. The content is also available as a web version.

7. Agile development:
The tools and frameworks used were selected with regard to the Foundation’s non-profit activities. The development took place in several agile sprints.

8. Training:
The responsible staff members of the AKM were trained on the new CMS. The technical contact persons were enabled to make changes and deployments independently.

9. Marketing and go live: A marketing concept was developed to accompany the introduction of the app in terms of communication. Finally, the app was published in the stores with optimised texts and appealing preview images.