SATELlIGENCE
Designing a data-driven platform to combat deforestation
Satelligence is a remote-sensing company that uses satellite data to observe (changes in) natural capital. They provided their clients with a large amount of actionable insights from this geo-data through PDF format, but lacked a way of interacting with the data.
GOAL
Design an interactive platform that helps Satelligence’s clients interpret and act on the vast amount of data provided.
OUTCOME
A risk analysis platform that provides users with personalized and actionable data, supporting sustainability managers in their daily actions.
my role
Lead UX, UX design, User research, Concept design, Data-design, Product strategy, Client management
COMPANY
CLEVER°FRANKE
The project
Satelligence tracks geodata received via satellites from various data sources. From this data, they distill accessible information to aid clients in monitoring their areas of investment. So far, they provided this information via extensive, but passive, PDF documents. This project focussed on providing this information in a digital and interactive way, allowing users to easily digest the information.
I was the lead UX designer in this project, and worked closely together with a visual designer and UX consultant. We explored Satelligence’s business, target audiences and data extensively. I led many interactive sessions with the client, and together with the UX consultant I helped define and shape their product strategy. This included allowing customers to ‘build’ their own product by choosing data building blocks relevant to their specific needs.
Data model
The main focus of this project was to understand and create focus in the vast amount of data provided by Satelligence. I explored the available data points and translated them into a clear data structure. Relevant data points were grouped according to topics that related to the overall user goal; determining if their areas of investment are at risk of being exposed to deforestation. This was aimed at providing a story behind the data and driving value for customers of Satelligence.
Design research
Unfortunately, it was not possible to speak to users at the start of this project. Instead, I explored the various target users for this system together with Satelligence. We investigated the main user goals and needs for each target user and mapped them in relation to the available data.
The main user for this concept was the Sustainability manager. This audience gains the most value from the dashboard, as they are responsible for making sure their company lives up to the current sustainability regulations. The main user tasks included: getting a quick impression of the current situation, easy investigation of critical areas and reporting on specific areas of interest.
Design process
Together with a visual designer and UX consultant, I explored various concept directions providing different options for presenting the data.
As the lead interaction designer for the project, I created the primary user flows for the concept to specify the most important user tasks. I made priority guides and quick sketches of the main pages, focussing on the required content and story-telling through the data. The visual designer who designed the visual concept used these as input for the design of the various pages.
During the project, I was able to conduct several user tests to better grasp user needs and first impressions of the concept. Their feedback was integrated into the final concept.
The result
The final concept provides an explorative and actionable risk-overview based on the available data structures. It focusses on highlighting what is most important in an informative way, allowing the user to investigate the various underlying data points. in this way, it allows users to explore the data more easily and guide them in their daily tasks.
My activities
- Helping define business & product strategy
- Analyzing & reframing the data model
- Defining concept story, directions & principles
- Designing user experience and interactions
- Conducting user research
- Leading workshops and presentations for the client