The Beecology Project is a citizen science initiative that tracks pollinator populations and their interactions with native plants, providing crucial data for researchers and educators. While valuable, its web application struggled with usability, particularly on desktops, limiting accessibility and engagement. As the lead UI designer, I overhauled the interface and navigation to create a more scalable, intuitive experience for contributors and researchers.
The previous mobile-first design made desktop navigation cumbersome, while cluttered menus and an outdated Angular 8 framework added usability and security challenges. To address this, I began with research to understand user pain points. Through stakeholder interviews and usability testing, I identified key issues with navigation, accessibility, and layout scalability.
Using Figma, I created multiple prototypes, refining them through iterative testing to ensure clarity, ease of use, and accessibility. My focus was on structuring information hierarchically, simplifying workflows, and ensuring seamless transitions between different device types. I emphasized consistent visual language, readable typography, and clear interactive elements, making data submission and analysis more intuitive.
Once the design direction was validated with our sponsor, I worked on transitioning updates into production, implementing the new UI with Bulma for a cleaner, more responsive layout. One of the most significant changes with my new design was introducing a dynamic sidebar, replacing the restrictive mobile menu with a persistent navigation system that adapts across screen sizes. I also redesigned the homepage for clarity, integrated step-by-step tutorials, and made dozens of minor changes across the platform to improve accessibility and experience.
This project helped me strengthen skills in iterative design and user-focused problem solving, pushing me to refine how I structure information, simplify workflows, and design for accessibility. I quickly learned during the research phase of this project the true importance of retaining a user base in a crowdsourced app, especially in the realm of citizen science. Through collaboration and continuous iteration, I designed a version of Beecology that is not only functional but enjoyable to use across devices, ensuring that both new and returning users could seamlessly navigate the platform. By prioritizing accessibility and usability, this redesign strengthens the foundation for future improvements, making Beecology a more engaging and reliable tool for pollinator conservation.
https://digital.wpi.edu/concern/student_works/6682x803v?locale=en
