- Turn
Turn is a tactile task-management tool designed for new family caregivers who work from home.
It helps reduce the mental strain of caregiving by making tasks visible and structured — so caregivers can switch between care and work with more confidence and less stress.
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- How it began
When my Mum first started caring for my grandmother, I noticed how overwhelming it was to remember everything: meals, medications, diaper changes.
Even when we tried lists or alarms, things slipped through. I realized this wasn’t just my Mum’s struggle. Many caregivers, especially those working from home, feel constantly torn between two demanding roles.
- Understanding Caregivers
Through interviews and observations, I found that caregivers didn’t just want reminders — they wanted clarity and reassurance.
- Apps got drowned out by work notifications.
- Sticky notes went missing.
- Mental checklists only created more stress.
What they needed was something visible, simple, and non-intrusive. A tool that eased their mental load instead of adding to it.
- How It Works
- Each face of the cube represents a task.
- Caregivers rotate it to mark what’s next or complete.
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The cube stays present in the caregiving space, a constant and tangible reminder of their role.
The act of turning isn’t just functional — it gives caregivers a moment of closure. A signal that the task is done, and they can move forward with confidence.
- Impact on Caregivers
Gaining Confidence & Control
Turning the tasks helped caregivers manage their time with confidence, creating clearer structure and reducing the feeling of being scattered.
Reactive To Proactive Care
Caregivers became calmer and more proactive, which helped care receivers feel more comfortable and cared for.
A Quiet Symbol of Care
Turn is more than just a tool — it’s a symbol. Each turn of the cube marks not just a completed task, but a moment of presence.
It reflects the transition into the caregiving role, grounding caregivers in the care they give.
In a small, quiet way, Turn affirms their identity as a caregiver. Not as just someone who gets things done, but as someone who shows up consistently, with intention.
Other Iterations
Turn didn’t appear overnight. It was shaped by a series of prototypes:
- The Clock Dashboard tested whether visual time anchors could guide routines.
- The Light Alert explored how tasks could be signaled to multiple caregivers.
- Task Cue Cards and Sliding Checklists simplified routines into tangible prompts.
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The Task Tower and Flipping Cards experimented with modular, sequential design.
Each of these revealed insights, and Turn became a combination of their strongest elements: tactile interaction, visibility, and clarity in one compact form.
For more information, please take a look at the pdf files below:
- Reflection
- Designing for Care
Through Turn, I learned that designing for caregivers isn’t about adding efficiency — it’s about giving relief. Caregivers already juggle enough. What they need are tools that reduce the invisible mental weight they carry every day.
Turn is a reminder that sometimes the simplest, most tactile designs can create a big impact.
To learn more about the process of Turn, you can watch this video!
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