The Owl Conservation Project
Project Overview
This project aimed to redesign a website to cater to the needs of wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, and professors interested in burrowing owls. By crafting a seamless user experience that offers guided tours, educational content, and streamlined event booking, the project aimed to bridge the gap between users' passion for wildlife and accessible, enriching digital interactions.
Tools
Figma
Miro
Google Suite
Team
5 Team Members
My Role
UX Research
UI Design
Timeline
Overall: 3 Months
Discovery and Research: 6 weeks
Design and Testing: 4 weeks
Target Audience
The project catered to wildlife researchers, professors, and bird enthusiasts interested in burrowing owls. These users sought educational experiences, guided tours, and opportunities for observation, research, and conservation efforts.
Challenge
The redesigned UI/UX portfolio for the owl application needed to effectively spotlight the "Wild at Heart" NGO's burrowing owl relocation efforts, but users grappled with navigating ASU Polytechnic Campus and locating owl habitats. Cumbersome booking and preparation processes, alongside an unintuitive user flow, compounded the challenge.
Redesign
Results
The UI/UX portfolio focused on user-centric design for an NGO, simplifying habitat discovery and booking while enhancing the user flow. The redesign provided an engaging experience for burrowing owl conservation, introducing guided tours for education. Optimized processes, reminders, and checklists improved overall user engagement.
User Research Plan
Understanding Users
We engaged 6 potential users who were either professors or researchers from ASU and bird conservationists to form our focus group. The wo main research methods used: Contextual inquiry and Semi-structured interviews.
Aligning user needs with business goals
Defining who we are designing for- User Personas
These personas represent a collective synthesis of user feedback and research insights, driving the curation for this project. Derived from a comprehensive analysis of user data, they ensure a presentation that resonates with the diverse needs and aspirations identified during the project's development.
Concept Story
Jake, a bird enthusiast and researcher, found ASU Poly's owl conservation site, enjoyed a guided tour despite campus navigation challenges, and appreciated the helpful checklist reminder. Spotting several owls left them inspired and appreciative of ASU Poly's conservation efforts. Jake now sees the website as a valuable resource for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers.
Ideation and Sketches
The website redesign, including the Burrowing Owls guided tour, leverages user data and stories for multiple advantages. The guided tour educates first-timers about owl location and precautions. The streamlined booking process and detailed tour information simplify planning. User feedback will validate enhancements, ensuring a successful and enriching experience for all users.
UI Design
Design Choices in UI Design
Validation of design
Reviewing with the help of heat map, comparing original design with my design for the landing Page.
Next steps
The project's success lies in continued user engagement and the positive impact on burrowing owl conservation. Regular updates, user feedback loops, and continuous iteration will ensure the website remains a valuable resource for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike. The project serves as an exemplar of user-centered design's potential to drive positive change in both user experiences and conservation efforts.
Sneak peak of how the Owls were relocated
Wildlife Conservation Volunteering:
Building Homes for Burrowing Owls My fulfilling journey with Wild at Heart, under Prof. Andrew Mara's guidance, was dedicated to relocating burrowing owls at ASU's Polytechnic campus. Building burrows and overseeing owls' acclimation in tents over a six-week period showcased the rewarding impact of our efforts, reinforcing the importance of wildlife preservation and collaboration.
