Zac Can’t Have Peanuts!

problem & research focus

The primary problem we identified was the lack of accurate and empowering representation of chronic illness in children’s media. This gap often leads to stigma and misunderstanding among peers. Our research question was: "How might children’s media reduce stigma and build empathy around food allergies?"
We grounded our approach in findings from a literature review on several key topics:

• Gamified Learning: We found that research consistently shows that gamified, story-based learning improves knowledge and recall in children. This insight led us to integrate interactive elements and a game-like format into the narrative.
• Narrative as an Educational Tool: Studies on children’s media highlight the power of narrative and storytelling to communicate complex topics. By building a relatable story around a character named Zac, we could make the allergy experience understandable and relatable, promoting empathy without resorting to fear-based messaging.
• The Specificity of Peanut Allergies: We chose to focus on peanut allergies because they are a common and serious health concern, making effective education crucial for safety and inclusion.

wireframing

Our design process began by translating our research findings into a clear, actionable plan. We worked to combine narrative design with accessible UI/UX principles. Storyboarding: We storyboarded Zac’s journey through everyday scenarios where food allergies are a factor, such as a birthday party or snack time at school. This process helped us map the narrative flow and ensure that each scene had a clear learning objective, guiding children on how to safely interact with a peer who has an allergy. UI/UX and Wireframes: We created accessible layouts with large tap targets and high-contrast typography in Figma and Photoshop. The wireframes focused on a simple, intuitive user flow that allowed children to easily navigate the story and interact with different elements without confusion.

design goals

• Education — communicate allergy basics in age-appropriate ways.
• Empathy — help peers understand allergy experiences.
• Engagement — keep attention through interactivity and narrative.

process

• Narrative — storyboarded Zac’s everyday allergy scenarios.
• UI — accessible layouts, large tap targets, high-contrast type.
• Prototype — early Unity build to test interaction pacing.
• Research integration — mapped literature findings to design patterns.

outcome

A playable, illustrated storybook where kids learn about allergies through interactive choices. Early tests indicated the approach can explain concepts and build empathy without fear-based messaging.

reflection & next steps

• Polish prototypes for moderated usability testing with caregivers/educators.
• Broaden content to additional chronic conditions and accessibility topics.
• Explore partnerships with pediatric orgs for pilot deployment.