Mother Map
A reflective activity that facilitates self-assessment and communication for postpartum women.
Role
Industrial Designer
Skills
User Research
Product Design
User Testing
Prototyping
Duration
2 Semesters
Year
2023
Thesis Project for Master’s Degree in Industrial Design
Thesis Book Preview on ProQuest
Tools: Mixed Methods Research, User Testing, Fusion 360, Illustrator, InDesign, Miro, Figma, Woodworking, CNC, Laser Cutting
DESIGN CHALLENGE
How might we help postpartum women process and communicate how they are feeling in the postpartum period and beyond?
SOLUTION
Mother Map is an interactive object facilitating a reflective activity that captures the physical and psychological status of the postpartum woman. Inspired by the form of the Montessori stacking activity, each component allows the postpartum woman to assign a status to a facet of well-being, creating a snapshot of how she’s doing.
HOW IT WORKS
ABSTRACT
Postpartum women in the U.S. experience a wide range of cultural pressures and expectations, regarding both their bodies as well as their performance of motherhood. Few institutional services are available to support any of these challenges, leaving the postpartum woman largely to her own devices to navigate this difficult experience. This thesis supports the well-being of the postpartum woman by offering her a tool for assessment and reflection. The object is a body mapping figure that externalizes and records the physical and psychological well-being of the postpartum woman.
THE PROBLEM
Postpartum women face a wide range of physical and psychological challenges.
Despite this, they are neglected both institutionally and culturally. Busy caring for their new babies, they often neglect themselves as well.
RESEARCH OVERVIEW
A Mixed Methods Approach
Qualitative and quantitative primary research with experts and target users served to identify the problem, get feedback on potential solutions, and test the final product.
Secondary research across disciplines established the cultural context of the problem, outlined the complex factors influencing the problem, and inspired potential solutions.
8 Experts Interviewed
Secondary Research Landscape
15 Mothers Interviewed, 116 Mothers Surveyed
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Primary Research Conducted in Each Design Phase
Exploration
4 Exploratory interviews with new mothers,1-2 hours
4 Semi-structured interviews with 2 midwives and 2 doulas, 30 minutes
1 open online survey of 94 mothers on postpartum clothing
Ideation
6 Semi-structured interviews around body image with new mothers, 30 minutes
1 Semi-structured interview with an obstetric nurse, 30 minutes
Development
1 targeted online survey of 10 mothers regarding form and color preferences
3 Semi-structured interviews around body image with new mothers, 40-60 minutes
Validation
8 User Tests with new mothers, 20-40 minutes
3 Expert feedback sessions with 2 psychiatrists and 1 doula, 30 minutes
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
Issues surrounding the postpartum body touch every aspect of a woman’s well-being after birth, from her medical recovery to her lactation experience to her emotional well-being to her willingness to socialize.
While in many ways a time of joy, the postpartum period is also a time of grief and loss as the woman adjusts to her new identity and her new body.
Therapeutic strategies from grief psychology could be relevant to postpartum women, encouraging reflection and self-observation.
Mapping Postpartum Pain Points from Exploratory Interviews
Identifying Common Challenges from Exploratory Interviews
Defining Nonfinite Loss to Cross-Pollinate with Grief Therapy
Viewing Postpartum Experience Through the Lens of Loss to Cross Pollinate with Grief Therapy
Core Research Question One and Resulting Hypothesis
Core Research Question Two and Resulting Hypothesis
Stakeholder Map
'Body Image' Word Map
'Identity' Word Map
'Mother' Word Map
PRECEDENTS + INSPIRATION
Children’s Stacking Activities, various
Toys that encourage motor skill development and problem-solving
CONCEPT DIRECTION
Form + Color Ideation
I ideated three potential directions for form and color and surveyed 10 mothers on their preferences to land on the final direction of soft, curvilinear forms in bright, bold colors.
Final Form + Color Direction
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
FINAL PROTOTYPE
EVALUATION + FEEDBACK
User Feedback
Expert Feedback
