Embryology is one of the foundational, yet challenging subjects in medical education, often hindered by abstract concepts and complex morphogenetic processes that are difficult to visualise. This thesis presents the co-design and development of Foetal Beat, an interactive 3D storyboard application designed to enhance student understanding of human cardiogenesis. Recognizing gaps in existing digital tools, this project employed a four-step co-design process: an online survey, preliminary storyboard development, focus group evaluation, and refined storyboard.
The large-scale survey identified student and educator dissatisfaction with static, text-heavy resources and revealed a strong demand for dynamic, visually rich educational tools. These insights guided the creation of an initial storyboard design focused on temporal navigation, anatomical accuracy, and intuitive design. The design was subsequently evaluated in a focus group comprising students and educators, whose feedback validated key design decisions while revealing areas for improvement such as usability, visual density, and motivational appeal.
This thesis contributes to medical education research by demonstrating the value of participatory design in creating more responsive, inclusive, and pedagogically grounded learning tools. It also highlights the potential of interactive media to support conceptual clarity and learner engagement in visually complex topics. Limitations include the narrow institutional context of the focus group and the absence of a built prototype of the designed storyboard. Future research should involve broader testing and iterative refinement to fully realize Foetal Beat’s educational potential.