Zenith
Overview
A disaster management relief platform
Climate change is
challenging disaster response efforts
85% population of the world that is
affected by climate change. Natural disasters cause an estimated $223.8 billion in global economic losses each year.
Information clutter without meaningful application
In talks with the NASA team, we acknowledged the challenge of making their information more  applicable. Ensuring resilience during natural disasters requires collective effort, hence the importance of making data accessible to everyone.
As a Digital Product Lead
I oversaw the entire digital product design process, from wireframes to final execution, ensuring seamless integration of design elements. Collaboration with the physical product team ensured consistency in design language across digital and physical components.
My role
UI design
Interaction design
User testing
Team
Leah Jones
Gabriel Mataleo
Celine Pyun
Courtney Hull
A better communication approach is needed to address trust and transparency issues
"I don't care,
I won't evacuate again"
5 out of 8 interviewees highlighted traffic as the main issue when returning home after a voluntary evacuation. Additionally, interviewees admitted being unprepared for future hurricanes and expressed distrust in their local government's evacuation response.
"We need days to process the data, which leads to delays in public announcements."
The aftermath of such a significant storm requires several days to analyze the data. Despite its availability, the challenge lies in using it effectively. Much of the data remains untapped, as its potential for meaningful action is often unrealized due to a lack of guidance on how to utilize it.
Zenith is designed to be an evacuation dream team
The mobile app provides guidance for the general public
Our public-facing mobile application is optimized for evacuation travel, assisting users in planning and navigating during emergencies while also allowing them to remotely monitor their houses.
Camera
Go Camera
serves as an obstacle reporting device
Our physical device reports road obstacles, featuring built-in LoRaWAN for reliable coverage. Also adaptable for property monitoring.
Desktop app
The desktop portal offers a GIS Platform for operators
Our desktop portal is tailor-made for operation centers, offering a highly effective dashboard to manage reports and facilitate team collaboration specifically tailored for handling hazards.
As Zenith users increase, connectivity strengthens
The LoRaWAN protocol,
a Low Power Wide Area Networking (LPWAN)
It enables long-range communication and extended battery life. Integrated into Zenith Go, it forms a distributed network of devices ensuring continuous connectivity throughout the Zenith Ecosystem for emergency operations.
Zenith Mobile provides instant data updates and enables user contributions to the network
Upfront benefits promote planning and preparation
The majority of people we interviewed were unaware of their evacuation zone, with many admitting that this lack of knowledge had cost them both time and money during evacuations. To address this, we streamlined the questionnaire to be quick and easy while emphasizing the upfront benefits, aiming to encourage greater participation.
On-the-way suggestions ensure a safe and convenient evacuation journey
In addition to guiding users along evacuation routes, it's essential to address their concerns about accessing gas stations and available supplies. During emergencies having access to fuel and essential supplies can significantly alleviate hazards and ensure a smoother evacuation journey.
Hazard detection enables monitoring and connects to first responders as needed
In the future, many individuals may hesitate to evacuate due to fears of property damage. However, having the ability to monitor their houses remotely provides them with peace of mind. This assurance encourages them to evacuate, knowing that first responders can handle any detected hazards in their absence.
Connection eases stress
The majority of users express concern for their friends and family during evacuation. Not knowing if their family is safe creates higher stress levels. Feeling connected to loved ones can alleviate stress, as knowing that you have support and understanding from others provides comfort and reassurance during challenging times.
Emergency activation is relevant for daily use
Zenith is ever-ready to assist during emergencies. With a long press, activate an emergency request, and a first responder will swiftly provide assistance. This safety feature ensures security not only during disasters but in everyday life as well.
Hazard detection & resilient connectivity
Automatic detection
combined with manual button trigger
Zenith Go's distribution facilitates a Mesh network, it ensures connectivity without the need for internet, while generating reports to local agencies if hazards are detected.
A multi-view dashboard optimizes resource allocation and facilitates comparison for decision-making
Interactive components allow access to thousands of data points
Multiple views in dashboard allows operators to consider different resources simultaneously for enhanced decision-making capabilities.
Full-size display for optimal visibility
Every view within the Zenith Portal can be displayed in full size for optimal visibility. For instance, in the map view, hazard reports are represented by icon bubbles, allowing operators to grasp the big picture at a glance.
Insight summaries, with detailed data, aid quick understanding
Operators have access to concise information about each case, including images, time, and location, enabling quick and effective dispatch of the team to address the hazard.
Mobile components
Desktop components
Usability testing highlighted a priority for emergency situations
Side navigation bar received positive feedback
Users prefer a left-side navigation bar for optimal driving experience. A left-handed individuals recommend a customizable navigation bar for enhanced usability.
Unregistered mode is essential
An unregistered mode optimizes emergency response. Allowing users explore the app without signing up reassures privacy concerns and also encourage app usage.
Non-distracted color scheme empowers decision making
Colors coded data points prompts necessary actions, while supporting data analysis with a relatively smooth learning curve.
It was challenging to design
without a detailed information architecture
The data presented in the design was formulated based on assumptions
The stringent data security measures within departments added complexity, restricting access to an official data inventory. However, we proceeded by analyzing insights from research and interviews. This enabled us to draft an overarching sitemap primarily derived from the needs of the general public users, laying the foundation for designing the operational desktop application to meet those needs.
The principles we established are grounded in the pain points experienced by operators
Operators expressed a need for a comprehensive platform with cohesive datasets, allowing them to focus on critical data. Therefore, Zenith was designed with clear data hierarchy and multiple access points to essential information, prioritizing usability and minimizing cognitive strain.
