Crux Awarded iF Design Award for Dengue At-Home Test Kit

We’re thrilled to share that our Dengue At-Home Test Kit has been recognised with an iF Design Award. This project is especially close to our hearts and is rooted in meaningful, human-centred design.

It represents the efforts of our design team and reflects Crux’s recent ethnographic research expeditions to Colombia and India, which were undertaken to better understand the everyday habits and behaviours that influence how people perceive and access medical products, particularly during epidemic and pandemic scenarios.

Why Dengue? Why Now?

Dengue is spreading rapidly due to climate change, with mosquito populations reaching regions that have never experienced outbreaks before. Forecasts indicate that up to 60 percent of the global population could be at risk of contracting the virus by 2080. This growing threat makes it increasingly urgent to explore new approaches to accessible diagnostics.

Current Barriers to Testing

Despite being called “rapid,” most diagnostic tests still require healthcare professionals, specialised training, and controlled environments. These are often unavailable in regions most affected by dengue. This creates delays in diagnosis at times when quick action is critical to controlling outbreaks.

Our Design Strategy

Our aim was to create a truly independent testing experience. We wanted to ensure that anyone, anywhere, could use the kit safely, without requiring medical training or a high level of literacy. This meant removing unnecessary complexity and designing every detail with clarity and accessibility in mind.

Key Innovations

The final concept features a blister-based patch with integrated microneedles that collect a small blood sample and automatically release it into a buffer channel. This eliminates the need for manual sample collection tools. To support intuitive use, the instructions are clearly marked with large, bold numbers. The design accommodates users from diverse backgrounds and language groups, helping to ensure accurate self-use across a wide population.

Environmental Responsibility

Unlike traditional plastic test kits, this concept uses a minimal, low-waste format that significantly reduces plastic use. This is a critical consideration when distributing diagnostics at scale during an epidemic. The environmental benefit becomes even more meaningful when we consider the broader application of this approach. While developed in response to dengue, the same system could be adapted to test for other infections with epidemic potential.

Celebrating With the Design Community

Crux had the great pleasure of attending the iF Design Award in Berlin. It’s always a fantastic moment to celebrate outstanding design talent. We’re honoured to receive this recognition from the iF Design Award and remain committed to advancing responsible, accessible design in healthcare. This kit is a clear example of how thoughtful, user-focused innovation can help meet urgent global health needs.