Project: Mobile App Creation
EventKit is a mobile application created to streamline access to instant map data for use in geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial visualizations.
Client: Maxar Technologies
Year: 2016-2018, UI Updates 2023
Skills: User Research, User Experience Design, UI Design
Technology: Balsamiq, Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma
STEP 1: USER ASSESSMENT AND PERSONAS
EventKit was created because government analysts, Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and public safety needed a way to get up-to-date maps and map data following events (such as natural disasters) to aid in rescue efforts, analysis, or for other associated needs.
Because of the nature of the project, I was not able to conduct the user interviews myself. Here is a link that illustrates the methodology I use to create user interview questions. Stakeholder and user interviews were conducted by Dr. Joshua Campbell, creator and project manager of EventKit.
STEP 2: PROJECT AND COMPETITOR ASSESSMENT
Below, Dr. Joshua Campbell, technology leads, and I began to break down requirements and MVP functionality.
OSM Hot Export was used as base inspiration for EventKit. A ‘Just-In-Time’ approach to Competitive Usability Assessments (Usability Tests, Content Assessments, and Competitor Assessments) from Lean UX methodologies was implemented because of tight release timelines.
The OSM Hot Export Tool
After our assessments, we finalized requirements and made the following updates:
- We streamlined the OSM Hot Export Workflow and cut it down to 3 steps.
- We added a 'DataPack Library' of exports so users could monitor export statuses or search exports from other users.
- We added personal accounts.
STEP 3: SITE MAP
The sitemap illustrates how we were able to significantly cut down on the size of EventKit when compared with the OSM Hot Export tool. This made the software perfect to use when readiness was a factor (i.e. during natural disasters or down range).
STEP 4: WIREFRAMES
Here is a selection of wireframes displaying the some of the main areas of EventKit.
STEP 5: HIGH-DEF DESIGN
I selected colors based on how I wanted users to feel when using the product. I wanted to put users in the optimal state of mind when stress and speed were a factor. The base colors included black, for security and confidence, and blue to help with increased productivity. I also wanted to include white space which increases comprehension and decreases the likelihood of human error.
We primarily utilized the Google Material design system for the style guide because of timeline and accessibility purposes.
STEP 6: PROTOTYPE
I created a rapid prototype in Figma in order to illustrate EventKit’s ability to render map data quickly and easily in only three steps.
Some features that aid with speed and readiness are SSO, simple map interactions, and pre-selected (recommended) map layer data.
