UI / UX Design
New Needle
Tackling an urban public health hazard: discarded syringes causing injuries and potential reuse.
Year :
2019
Industry :
Medical Tech
Client :
Freelance
Project Duration :
3 Weeks
Problem: Publicly discarded syringes are causing injuries and possible reuse
My Focus
Leveraged design skills and public health insights to understand the opioid epidemic’s root causes.
Evolution
What began as a safer‑syringe concept became a deep‑dive research project into America’s opioid addiction crisis.
What are opioids?
What are the origins of the current opioid epidemic?
Causality Map Results
1990s Misstep
Pharma companies downplayed opioid addiction risks, triggering widespread misuse.Shift to Heroin
As prescriptions tightened, many turned to cheaper, more accessible heroin.Public Health Hazard
Increased homelessness among users led to public drug use and discarded syringes.Disease Risk
Exposed needles raised the threat of blood‑borne infections in the community.
Opioid Epidemic Causality Map
Design Ideation & Prototyping
Design Ideation & Prototyping
POC 3D Rendering
What is next?
Redesigning syringes can reduce immediate harm, but it won’t solve the root problem.
Short‑Term Fix
Safer syringes can curb public needle risks.Long‑Term Shift
Real change requires overhauling healthcare and welfare systems.Broad Impact
Only systemic reforms will truly support those affected by the opioid crisis.
More Projects
UI / UX Design
New Needle
Tackling an urban public health hazard: discarded syringes causing injuries and potential reuse.
Year :
2019
Industry :
Medical Tech
Client :
Freelance
Project Duration :
3 Weeks
Problem: Publicly discarded syringes are causing injuries and possible reuse
My Focus
Leveraged design skills and public health insights to understand the opioid epidemic’s root causes.
Evolution
What began as a safer‑syringe concept became a deep‑dive research project into America’s opioid addiction crisis.
What are opioids?
What are the origins of the current opioid epidemic?
Causality Map Results
1990s Misstep
Pharma companies downplayed opioid addiction risks, triggering widespread misuse.Shift to Heroin
As prescriptions tightened, many turned to cheaper, more accessible heroin.Public Health Hazard
Increased homelessness among users led to public drug use and discarded syringes.Disease Risk
Exposed needles raised the threat of blood‑borne infections in the community.
Opioid Epidemic Causality Map
Design Ideation & Prototyping
Design Ideation & Prototyping
POC 3D Rendering
What is next?
Redesigning syringes can reduce immediate harm, but it won’t solve the root problem.
Short‑Term Fix
Safer syringes can curb public needle risks.Long‑Term Shift
Real change requires overhauling healthcare and welfare systems.Broad Impact
Only systemic reforms will truly support those affected by the opioid crisis.
More Projects
UI / UX Design
New Needle
Tackling an urban public health hazard: discarded syringes causing injuries and potential reuse.
Year :
2019
Industry :
Medical Tech
Client :
Freelance
Project Duration :
3 Weeks
Problem: Publicly discarded syringes are causing injuries and possible reuse
My Focus
Leveraged design skills and public health insights to understand the opioid epidemic’s root causes.
Evolution
What began as a safer‑syringe concept became a deep‑dive research project into America’s opioid addiction crisis.
What are opioids?
What are the origins of the current opioid epidemic?
Causality Map Results
1990s Misstep
Pharma companies downplayed opioid addiction risks, triggering widespread misuse.Shift to Heroin
As prescriptions tightened, many turned to cheaper, more accessible heroin.Public Health Hazard
Increased homelessness among users led to public drug use and discarded syringes.Disease Risk
Exposed needles raised the threat of blood‑borne infections in the community.
Opioid Epidemic Causality Map
Design Ideation & Prototyping
Design Ideation & Prototyping
POC 3D Rendering
What is next?
Redesigning syringes can reduce immediate harm, but it won’t solve the root problem.
Short‑Term Fix
Safer syringes can curb public needle risks.Long‑Term Shift
Real change requires overhauling healthcare and welfare systems.Broad Impact
Only systemic reforms will truly support those affected by the opioid crisis.