UX/UI DESIGN • VISUAL DESIGN • SERVICE DESIGN
Designing for Choice When Buying Period Products
Rethinking how we try menstrual products
Role
UX/UI Designer
Duration
8 Weeks
Team
2 UX Designers
2 Service Designers
Challenge
My Role
End Goal
Choosing period products is often trial-and-error, minus the trial. So, we built an experience that puts users in control, letting them explore, experiment, and finally find what works.
How might we turn period product shopping into a process of discovery, not guesswork?
I led UX/UI design and branding for the digital & physical experience. This included wireframes, onboarding flows, and product tracking.
A physical & digital service experience
I created a high-fidelity prototype for the companion digital app and a physical prototype for the in-store sampling process
100% of users expressed willingness to try products through this experience
💸
PROBLEM
Trying menstrual products is like a shot in the dark
We can sample lipstick, try on jeans, even return a half-eaten sandwich. But when it comes to period products? You're expected to buy a whole box (that’s ~36 tampons or 40 pads) just to see if they work for you.
How might we turn period product shopping into a process of discovery, not guesswork?
~$18,000
Lifetime spend of period products
(National Organization for Women)
🧍
1 in 3 Adults
In the US struggle to afford period products
(UN Women)
GENERATIVE RESEARCH
45 Survey Responses, 6 Generative Interviews
82%
Of menstruators said they purchased a product they didn’t end up using
🌍
~500-800 years
Decomposition rate of period products
(Global Citizen)
54%
Of those threw the product away or left it unused
“Trying new things is always a bit risky for me. I’ve been thinking about using a cup for like three years, but I’ve always been worried about how it would feel and whether I might be allergic :,(“
-P2
METAPHORICAL DESIGN
Opportunity: What if buying period products was like trying makeup?
From our desk research and generative interviews, we uncovered a gap in the market: there’s little to no way to sample menstrual products before committing to a full purchase.
Taking inspiration from trying makeup at beauty retail stores we wanted o design an experience that was: tactile, low-commitment, and user-driven.
IDEATION
Bodystorming, storyboarding, and journey mapping
We kicked off ideation with bodystorming to bring the physical and digital journey to life. Then we built a storyboard to anchor the experience in a real user’s perspective. Finally, we mapped the full journey to capture key moments, stakeholders, and touchpoints.
PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE
Bags
NFC-tagged to facilitate interaction with dispensers
In-Store Collateral
Instructional signage & shelf-talkers
Dispensers
With NFC readers that dispenses products when tapped
Pricing & Check Out
Each bag has a barcode that is scannable during check out
In-Store Sampling Prototype
I consulted with service designers to imagine the physical experience.
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE
Leading the UX/UI Design & Evaluative Testing
As the service designers were evaluating the physical experience, I designed lo-fi wireframes based on our research and ideation.
I also explored mid-fi wireframes for the retail flow but excluded it from the final product to focus on a seamless tracking experience.
Evaluative Testing 1: Lo-Fidelity (n=2)
BEFORE
Users were confused about the ranking systems and where these numbers came from.
Evaluative Testing 2: High-Fidelity (n=3)
BEFORE
Users expressed that the questionnaire was too long and felt sterile.
AFTER
Reduced the questionnaire to 4 simple, reflective, fun questions.
AFTER
Our research showed that many menstruators have unused, unopened products that are often thrown away, while others lack access.
I designed lo-fi wireframes of a donation feature to bridge this gap. Given our time and scope, I chose to focus on delivering a strong tracking experience and refining the physical to digital flow.
Replaced sliders quick with a quick yes and no.
BEFORE
Product pages felt overly commercial.
AFTER
Reworking the product page to feel more like a personalized diary.
VISUAL DESIGN & BRANDING
Creating Own
I led the end-to-end visual design for Own, from naming to design system to illustration. The name reflects personal agency, encouraging users to take control of their period without relying on cliché or overly feminine tropes.
I wanted the brand to encompass an uplifting color palette and strong design system that makes the experience feel confident and unapologetic.
FINAL OUTCOMES: MOBILE APP
UX/UI Design & Prototyping
NEXT STEPS
Moving Forward
Retention
Investigate engagement and retention, especially for long-term users.
Retail
Develop a fully-fleshed out retail ecosystem that helps users avoid the Pink Tax.
Refine Dispenser
Build a more interactive, high-fidelity prototype.
Expand Access
Consider building donation features to better serve underserved communities.