FloodCare

MAY 2023 - JUL 2023

MY ROLE - UX DESIGNER + RESEARCHER

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conducting interviews, paper and digital wireframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, and iterating on designs.

THE PROJECT

The FloodCare app is a cross-platform experience tool designed to assist and empower new parents affected by urban flooding. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, it aims to provide crucial information, resources, and support during flood events. The app offers real-time flood alerts, helping parents stay informed about potential risks in their area and enabling them to take necessary precautions.

THE CHALLENGE

The problem that the FloodCare app aims to address is the lack of a dedicated and comprehensive tool to assist new parents who are affected by urban flooding. Existing resources may not specifically cater to the unique needs and challenges faced by parents in flood-prone areas, leaving them without proper guidance and support during such events.

THE GOAL

The goal of the FloodCare app project is to provide a cross-platform experience tool that helps new parents effectively navigate and cope with the impact of urban flooding.

RESEARCH & PLANNING

The research aimed to gather insights about the challenges faced by new parents during flood incidents and their expectations from a dedicated app. New parents expressed a strong need for reliable and up-to-date information regarding flood alerts, safety guidelines, evacuation routes, and nearby support services. They emphasized the importance of receiving accurate and timely information to make informed decisions for their families' well-being.

PERSONAS

Sarah is a proactive and safety-conscious parent who seeks reliable information and resources to protect her family during urban flooding events. However, she faces challenges in accessing localized and up-to-date information specific to her neighborhood.

Jennifer, a proactive and knowledgeable parent with a background in civil engineering, faces challenges in accessing comprehensive and reliable flood-related information online. She struggles to find user-friendly platforms that provide interactive maps and data visualizations, hindering her ability to make informed decisions.

The first step was to survey the target users to see what mobile apps they used the most. Then, I asked them to imagine an app that could be used in an emergency of urban flooding. I asked them what the app would look like and how they thought it should work.

The data I collected from my research helped me craft 2 personas embodying 2 different user archetypes in my target user group.

Many of my design decisions were made with Sarah in mind. If I could design an app with an engaging experience for proactive and safety-conscious parents like Sarah, they could easily access localized and up-to-date information about urban flooding events. By catering to busy parents like Sarah who strive to keep their families safe, I can ensure that they can have peace of mind during an emergency. This approach allows me to meet the needs of other users as well, creating a seamless and informative experience for all users, both old and new. In doing so, I aim to make the FloodSafe app a go-to choice for individuals like Sarah, offering them peace of mind and valuable information every time they need it.

DESIGNING THE SOLUTION

USER FLOWS & Early sketches

Based on my research, I focused on addressing the pain points of proactive and safety-conscious parents like Sarah when designing the FloodSafe app. To help Sarah stay informed about urban flooding events, I prioritized a clear and concise way to access localized and up-to-date information on the home screen. Additionally, I ensured that the app is equipped with assistive technologies to enhance accessibility, making it user-friendly for all.

Safety was another key concern for parents like Sarah, so I made sure to provide clear and concise instructions on how to stay safe during an urban flooding event. To address the lack of resources, I included access to a community forum where parents can share information and support each other.

By considering and addressing these pain points in the app's design, I aimed to create a seamless and informative experience for users like Sarah. With a user-friendly interface, accessible features, clear and concise instructions, and a community forum, the FloodSafe app becomes a go-to solution for parents looking to stay safe and informed during urban flooding events.

Lo-fi wireframes

Usability study: findings

I conducted a round of usability studies. Findings from the study helped guide the designs from wireframes to mockups.

Round 1 findings:

1. Users reported issues with the legibility of text and content on certain screens, particularly when using the app in bright outdoor environments.

2. Users expressed a desire for more personalized and localized flood alerts. based on their specific location and preferences.

3. Users encountered difficulties understanding the meaning of certain terminology used in the app, such as "flood risk level" or "floodplain.

Before usability studies

After usability studies

Based on the insights from the usability studies, I made design changes focused on enhancing the legibility of text. One of the key improvements was optimizing the font size and style to ensure clear and readable text across different screens.

mockups

CONCLUSION

KEY MOckups & HI-FI prototype

Key takeaways

Users expressed that the FloodCare app made the issue of urban flooding feel personal and empowered them to actively contribute to reducing its impact. A notable quote from peer feedback highlighted that "the FloodCare app brings the urgency of addressing urban flooding to a personal level, making it easy and engaging to take action."

Next steps

• I learned that even though the problem I was trying to solve was a big one, diligently going through each step of the design process and aligning with specific user needs helped me come up with solutions that were both feasible and useful.

Before usability studies

After usability studies

LET’S CHAT.

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