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Innovation in Citizen Services

How oTTers got into TraceTogether

25 April 2022

Otters as inspiration for redesigning the TraceTogether app

Ok, the most obvious question first is, how do you feel about TraceTogether standing down?

The second most obvious question, of all animals, how did you arrive at featuring a swimming otter? Was it a brainstorming session? Was there a vote? Was it close? Were others considered? There’s a tweet suggesting a merlion squirting gallons of water from its mouth, for example.

Cuteness overload aside, was there any other practical reason for featuring an animated otter on that page?

The latest version has been a hit but the internet being what it is, there are inevitably some naysayers, such as some who don’t want cute otters to be associated with the TT app. As designers, how do you deal with negative feedback, especially those where there’s really not much you can act on?

As a designer, what’s the nicest feedback and the meanest feedback you’ve ever received?

Feedback from MOH on how TraceTogether is helping them in their Covid-19 management efforts
Positive and heartwarming feedback from a member of the public for the TraceTogether team
Positive and heartwarming feedback from citizen for the TraceTogether team

Speaking of feedback, how does the design team gather user feedback, and are there any changes that have come about from feedback?

The TT app has come a long way from merely being a Bluetooth contact tracing tool to enabling check-ins and displaying vaccination and test statuses. What was the process like adding more and more features? Did you ever feel – oh no this is gonna screw up my beautiful minimalist design!

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