Background
Sasaki’s strategies team work on spatial technology products and experiences that inform decision-making for the built environment.
When I joined the team, my primary objective was to enhance the usability of the Needlemovers web platform—an analytical tool designed to evaluate the impact on and potential for outdoor thermal comfort based on regional weather data. My role involved developing innovative UI/UX solutions to simplify a complex onboarding process. The goal was to significantly reduce the cognitive load required to understand and use the tool, eliminating the need for users to watch a lengthy two-hour tutorial before getting started.
Breakdown of Issues
Key issues were located after a thorough review of the previous experience:
No sense of visual hierarchy on the interface
Users found it hard to understand the most important functions of the web database.
The message is not delivered through
The web board does not reflect the market advantages of NeedleMovers on its recommendation for design strategy. The mission and function seem vague from the current UIUX design.
Disjoined data visualisation
The UI text and colour choices do not complement each other, preventing the data graphics from delivering clear insights. The legends for temperature and strategy are conflated, combining factual data with action-oriented elements.
Complicated workflows
The web board was originally designed to work in conjunction with Grasshopper plug-ins, online tutorials, and locally downloaded files to function.
My Role
I was part of a design team consisting of three people, with the other two focusing more specifically on data visualisation. Together, we collaborated on refining the legend in NeedleMovers, including revising the text and selecting colours. Additionally, I led the research and redesign of the user experience for the web data board.
The team reported to the senior design technologist and the director of research and development, while getting feedbacks from other members working in software engineering, data analysis, and product design. Most of the validations of my ideas were through 1:1 meetings, design critique sessions and team presentations which were attended by main stakeholders.
Research and Development Process
To make the NeedleMovers website more intuitive, I focused on simplifying the current user experience. Using a "simplification-verification-execution" approach, I progressed through multiple rounds of iterations to refine the design.
Steps Taken
Identifying Product Priorities:
Through interviews with the previous project developers and a heuristic review, I compiled a detailed list of product functions and user tasks.
Mapping the Journey:
The experience review enabled us to create a detailed user journey map and identify opportunities to improve workflows.
People-Centric Storytelling:
Guided by my focus on accessibility and simplification, I introduced a human-centric perspective to the existing web interface. Graphics were added to help users navigate complex datasets, and a human figure was incorporated into the onboarding process. This approach made it easier for users to understand how comfort strategies benefit environmentally-conscious space planning.
Dashboard:
We also redesigned the data dashboard. The design prototype emphasised the relationships between the four diagram types from the old website, allowing users to explore NeedleMovers' functionalities while maintaining a clear focus on data presentation. It also aligns with the updated design principles of the Sasaki Strategies team.
Key Improvements
Simplified visual hierarchy
Map-based search function
Personalised, Interactive Onboarding Experience
Selective legends
Results and Reflections
The redesigned onboarding experience fostered a broader discussion among team members about integrating tutorials, settings and interactive elements into a cohesive experience. The design has matched the goal of reducing the cognitive load of the platform by incorporating visuals and interactions, replacing lengthy verbal explainations.
The next step is to further develop the dashboard design, ensuring it aligns with the design language introduced in the onboarding experience. The team plans to conduct additional user research, testing, and iterative improvements to data visualisations.