Emotions on diabetes: a design case of user mock-ups by young people living with diabetes

Abstract

This paper reports a design research case on mobile learning technology for children and teenagers living with the chronic illness diabetes. A central focus in the design process was to understand the young people's perspective on their chronic illness and on mobile technology support. Towards this end, a design workshop was facilitated to promote the articulation of their emotions towards design. This presentation outlines this design activity and discusses the results of 12 mock-ups created by a group of young people living with diabetes. The analysis and reflections of the user mock-ups highlight three aspects related to their identity of self, the burden of being young with a chronic illness, and the need to feel connected and safe in a society generally unaware of or uninformed about their illness.