Colorado Data Locator

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Overview

Shift Research Lab approached Code for Denver looking to update the UI for their Geocoding Tool. The tool is a resource available to non-profit groups within Colorado to use Geocoding API for their workflow. As the sole visual/UI designer at the time, I worked alongside the project manager for Shift Research Lab to (1) create a new visual identity and (2) design the UI for the project.

Process

Research

The goals for the project are:

• What is the typical workflow of the user?
• How to create an interface that can be accessible to a wide range of users (highly trained geocoding users vs. everyday non-profit workers)
• How to create a simple visual identity system with minimal effort
• Deliver MVP within a 4 months timeline

Method

• Stakeholder interviews
• Users interviews
• Whiteboarding session

Results

• Workflow map
• Identifiable project requirements for tech scoping

Analysis

Due to the limited resources and timeframe of the project, I had to work very quickly to achieve the MVP launch date. The UI design was based on Google Material Symbols. Using open-sourced material library was also preferred by the tech team.

For the reiterative testing phase of the project: because the product's end users would be non-profit groups working in the same industry, we are able to use other Code for Denver members (who are not involved in the project) and Shift Research Lab members as testers.

Data wishlist

Because I was not able to do a full UX design process from start to finish, here are some data points I would have loved to be able to get my hands on:

• What was the average time a user spent on the old workflow vs. the redesigned workflow?
• What are some of the typical use cases for the product?
• How many users does the product have?
• For non-technical users, what is the drop-out rate going through the workflow?
• What are the impacts of the product on the funding cycle for non-profit groups?