Insulin Patch Pump System Labelling
PharmaSens
niia essential
Background
Recognising the limitations of existing insulin pumps on the market, PharmaSens were in development of their niia essential Insulin Patch Pump System. It’s designed to offer a significantly more user-friendly experience for people with diabetes.
As part of our support across the entire device development ecosystem for niia essential, we led the strategy for their product labelling to facilitate a seamless onboarding experience. This included architecting and implementing comprehensive user support materials, such as detailed Instructions for Use (IFU), quick reference guides, structured training resources, and instructional videos.
Throughout the process we worked closely with the core team at PharmaSens, in parallel with human factors and regulatory specialists, to develop a user-friendly and evidence-based training platform that supported their FDA approval application. With this document as the single source of truth, we worked in parallel with technical copywriting to craft structured, clear and effective copy.
Value Delivered
- Refinement of brand identity and design patterns to ensure multi-channel consistency
- Architecture of product labelling, spanning instructions for use, quick reference guides and user manual for all aspects of the Patch Pump system.
- Thorough training strategy, training materials and educational demonstration videos
- Structured and informative out-of-box experience (OOBE) to support onboarding
- Supported a validation study by training study facilitators and medical device trainers
Project Scope
Industrial Design Prototyping, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience (UX) Design, Graphic Design, Instructions for Use (IFU), Packaging Design, Human Factors, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Testing, Design for Manufacture, Design Transfer, Production Support
Capability Focus
Onboarding
Labelling
Instructions for Use (IFU)
Project Scope
Industrial Design
Prototyping
User Interface (UI) Design
User Experience (UX) Design
Graphic Design
Packaging Design
Human Factors
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Testing
Design for Manufacture
Design Transfer
Production Support
“Working on the onboarding process with Shore was a real pleasure – we see them as our teammates. Their expertise in product labelling, training materials, and out-of-box experience was invaluable. They helped us map critical use steps, refine content through prototyping, and streamline documentation via collaborative cloud review”
Nicole Bernini, Head of Marketing, PharmaSens
Journey mapping to identify critical use steps
Collaborative journey mapping workshops were held to plot out the entire user journey, step by step, from initial device unboxing and setup to safe product disposal and reuse. This helped us to identify all the individual tasks during use of the Insulin Patch Pump System, such as configuring the Pump settings using the App, filling the insulin reservoir or identifying a suitable application site. These tasks were to align with the functionality of the product as designed by PharmaSens engineers. This process facilitated a mutual understanding of the critical information required and provided a backbone for development of labelling materials.
Thoroughly understanding the technical aspects of the system was critical in translating them into a streamlined onboarding experience.
Crafting a structured content strategy and plan
Quality content is the foundation of any packaging, print or digital experience. Using insights gained from the journey mapping process, we worked closely with technical , marketing, regulatory and human factors experts at PharmaSens to identify all additional required content. Our UX team then developed information architecture for the multi-channel experience, culminating in a content plan to provide structure to the content development process. With this document as the single source of truth, we worked in parallel with technical copywriting to craft structured, clear and effective copy.
Improving user engagement with graphic design
A solid brand identity serves as the foundation for delivering a consistent and engaging multi-channel product experience. With this in mind, we developed a scalable system of graphic styles, typography, and illustrations that seamlessly integrates across all touchpoints, from printed instructional material all the way down to the Configuration App.
Consistency in design not only improves visual appeal but also contributes to the overall usability of critical documentation. Employing a standardised set of visual elements allows to create materials that are clear, familiar and universally understandable, regardless of the user’s prior experience or technical knowledge. This is especially critical in the context of medical devices, where clear, effective labelling and instructions can directly impact patient safety.
Developing informative, recognisable illustrations
Illustrations provide a universal method of communication, reducing reliance on language and minimising the risk of misinterpretation. Therefore, users often anchor to visuals because they act as quick reference points, allowing them to grasp key information without needing to read lengthy descriptions.
Collaboratively with a human factors consultancy, and the marketing team at PharmaSens, tasks were broken into digestible steps. Working within the brand aesthetic, we developed illustrations to represent the device and its use. We thoroughly tested these in usability studies to ensure they conveyed the intended information clearly, particularly focusing on presenting the device UI states in an intuitive and accessible manner.
While clear descriptive text is essential for regulatory compliance, these illustrations aim to break up and organise information, ultimately making instructions more engaging and user-friendly. Developing visuals and content in parallel helped ensure a consistent style and tone of voice across all print, packaging and digital content.
Aligning stakeholders through collaborative cloud review
As there were many stakeholders involved, traditional document review processes for five documents (including a 200-page user guide) presented a challenge. We employed a cloud solution that enabled reviewers access to all printed materials from any location and on any device – with the ability to comment directly on the content adding their expertise. This provided a shared single point of truth and visibility of key stakeholders’ input, reducing the need for email conversations and streamlining collaboration across time zones.
Creating an informative out of box experience
Wearable medical devices are not just tools; they become a part of the user’s daily life – physically and psychologically which is why niia essential was designed to be sleek and discreet. To complement the device, we styled the packaging with a premium but minimalist aesthetic, akin to a consumer product.
Understanding that first impressions are critical in earning trust, we developed a thoughtful out-of-box experience (OOBE) centred around building user confidence, and satisfaction from the first interaction. On opening the packaging, the user is presented initially with the User Guide and niia Pump, with additional components hidden from view. This gradual introduction of components, supported by clear, engaging training and instruction, prevents the user from becoming overwhelmed, revealing each component only as it is needed, and reinforcing each components relation to one another.
Prototyping to inform evidence-based iterative development
Throughout the entire project we produced development prototypes of the packaging and instructional materials to support internal and external formative studies.
These studies, including those with healthcare professionals (HCPs) along with sector experienced and naïve users in the US, allowed us to assess and enhance the user-friendliness of niia essential’s labelling by iteratively improving content based on user-informed evidence. This hands-on approach highlighted the importance of practical testing and iterative development in ensuring optimal user experience.
“Our multi-stream support of PharmaSens during their product development spanned engineering, user experience, labelling and project management. Working in parallel as the product developed enabled us to obtain a deep understanding of the workings of the device and user experience and put us in a perfect position to effectively communicate the critical aspects of use steps. This helped accelerate the path to their FDA approval application allowing PharmaSens to focus on meeting critical deadlines”
Scott Martin, Project Lead Designer, Shore
If your project would benefit from optimised product onboarding, we’d love to work with you.
