Upstream’s design innovation featured on TV’s “America by Design”

America by Design is a network television program about “American innovation, ingenuity and design excellence.” A Featured Innovation and Finalist on the program, the Dexcom G6 system is widely recognized as an essential technology in managing Type 1 diabetes, and proven to improve key metrics for people with Type 2.

Upstream was essential to the design of the Dexcom G6 app, the first FDA-approved app for continuous glucose monitoring. In collaboration with Dexcom, Upstream led the Human-Centered Design process, including foundational customer research, Customer Journey Mapping, and Personas development. This body of work uncovered unmet needs and motivations of people with diabetes. After establishing a framework to focus innovation efforts, Upstream co-created the iconic and award-winning app design alongside people with diabetes, clinicians, and the Dexcom team.

As featured in the video, the discreet and approachable design addresses not only functional needs of people with diabetes, such as keeping blood sugar in a healthy range, but critical emotional and social needs as well, such as avoiding stigma and unwanted attention.

“Beautiful example of what design should always do: simplify people’s lives.” 

- Mauro Porcini, SVP + Chief Design Officer, PepsicCo and America by Design juror

Dexcom’s annual revenue grew by 43% after G6 launched, producing stunning stock market performance.

“Upstream’s process opened our minds to new ways of addressing our users’ needs and approaches for our products to cross from early adopters to the majority.”

- Vice President, Product at Dexcom

See Dexcom G6 featured in the Season 1 Episode 6 on YouTube.