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Article published In:
Information Visualization
Edited by Isabel Meirelles, Marian Dörk and Yanni Loukissas
[Information Design Journal 27:1] 2022
► pp. 126–139

Instructions for COVID-19 self-tests

What parts of the test are the most difficult to get right and how can information design help?

ORCID logo | University of Reading
ORCID logo | University of Reading
| University of Reading
ORCID logo | University of Reading
ORCID logo | University of Reading

This paper summarises a cross-disciplinary project that explored ways of making instructions, funded as part of the UK COVID-19 rapid-response initiative. The project explored ways of making instructions for COVID-19 Lateral Flow Tests easy for lay people to use. Our method comprised rapid design decision making, where we used existing research, good practice in information design and consultation with diagnostic experts as part of the design process. Iterative review by a panel of users informed the development of prototype instructions: small studies investigated user preference for diagrams, and gathered feedback on the graphic articulation of the procedural steps involved in carrying out the test.

Keywords: COVID-19, information design, user instructions, self-test
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Instructions for point-of-use home diagnostic testing kits
  • 3.Design approach
    • 3.1Review of research about writing and designing instructions
    • 3.2Stakeholder engagement
      • 3.2.1User panel
      • 3.2.2Industry expertise and engagement
    • 3.3Applying information design research and practice
      • 3.3.1Preliminary study: Learning from designing instructions for 3-D printed test kits
      • 3.3.2Review of COVID-19 LFTs
      • 3.3.3Eliciting feedback about representing actions
      • 3.3.4Prototype and next steps
  • 4.Overview and concluding remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at [email protected].

Published online: 25 October 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.22011.wal
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