TiY (tag-it-yourself)

In this paper, we present TiY (tag-it-yourself), an adaptable iPhone application for self-management of type 1 diabetes. The application allows users to record and track blood sugar levels, insulin injections, and other data relevant for managing their condition. The key feature is that the users can extend the records with their own categories for data and make links between all types of entries through attachments. This is meant to facilitate sense making and is further augmented with the ability to attach written notes and photos. The aim is that the tool will be adapted through actual usage, rather than specified by preconceptions and abstractions of user needs. A discussion of the key principles informing our design and how we have realized it in the application is the main contribution of our paper. We also present our design process and discuss empirical insights that lay behind our assumptions about user needs as well as our specific design decisions.