Designing an AI Training Tool That Convinced a Business to Invest in a Full Product Build

Product & UX by John-Luke Ward

Completed
May 2026
Category
Product & UX
Location
Christchurch
Role
Digital Designer

About this project

Niche Care wanted to explore whether AI-led scenario training could replace the compliance driven tick-box training most care workers are used to. The concept was novel: an AI that roleplays as a difficult service user, putting carers through realistic, emotionally charged conversations to build confidence before facing them for real.

The challenge was designing training realistic enough to be useful without triggering the people it was trying to support. I led brand direction and product design across the full process, from discovery and brand workshops through to a tested, dev-ready prototype.

The brand direction came out of a workshop that surfaced something nobody had raised before: the risk of visual triggers for carers. That conversation shaped everything. Soft illustration style, warm sage green, therapeutic visual language aligned with mental health platforms rather than corporate training tools.

Usability testing with five Niche Care staff confirmed the concept landed. Every participant said the scenario approach was preferable to their current training. The research gave the business enough confidence to move forward with a funded development contract.

John-Luke Ward

Digital Designer

Location
Christchurch