Terra² App

Terra² is a ground-breaking app that puts objective data about our entire planet into the palm of your hands, giving access to reliable and complete environmental and scientific information on your journey to net zero.

My Role

UX/UI design, user research

3 months

Time

Tools

Project goals

In today’s world, climate action is urgent. To achieve our decarbonization targets, we believe digital technologies and data are the keys. With the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 coming, our company got the valuable chance to present our sustainability effort at the conference. We want to create a mobile app that provides instance access to objective data about our entire planet, such as air pollutants and carbon emissions, on the palm of people’s hands. The app will provide insights for government and public sectors to help shape policy-making and planning. Also engage and educate citizens on climate pollution, their effects on our health and the environment, and actions to reduce them. We believe achieving net to zero is not only an individual effort, it needs partnership between citizens, governments, public agencies, supply chains and communities to drive for a cleaner and sustainable future.

Our method

We followed the Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodology to ensure the app meets user needs effectively. By iterating through each stage, we want to create an app that is both functional and user-centric.

Research & Discovery

In order to understand the needs, behaviors, and expectations of both government stakeholders and public users, I conducted interviews with multiple SMEs and stakeholders related to environmental data and sustainability. These research provided invaluable insights into the nuanced requirements for environmental data accessibility, usability preferences, and the desire for actionable insights. It was pivotal in shaping Terra2 design and functionality to effectively serve both strategic decision-makers and environmentally conscious individuals alike.

Persona

Ideation & Conceptualization

Based on the insights gathered during the research phase, we moved into the ideation and conceptualization phase, focusing on generating and refining ideas to create a user-centric and impactful app.

Define the vision

Centralized access to validated data sources

To address the challenge of navigating through numerous disparate data sources, we aim to provide users with centralized access to validated and reliable environmental data in the app. With intuitive and user friendly UX design, we want to ensure that users have a single, trustworthy platform for all their environmental information needs.

Engaging and educational experience

Understanding the importance of making environmental data accessible and engaging, we want to design the app to offer a fun and interactive user experience. Through gamification elements, interactive infographics, and educational modules, the app aims to educate users about various pollutants and environmental metrics. This feature is designed to appeal to citizens who seek to learn more about environmental issues in an engaging manner, making it easier for them to understand complex information and take actionable steps toward sustainability.

Community with shared value

Recognizing the power of collective action in addressing climate change, we want to include a community-building feature that connects users with like-minded individuals around the world. By fostering a global community of environmentally conscious individuals, it will not only encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration but also amplifies the impact of individual actions in the fight against climate change.

Sitemap and user flow chart

Then we moved into the conceptualization phase where we developed the sitemap and user flow chart through multiple iterations. We focused on building the blueprint for the app’s structure, organizing the content and features into a logical and user-friendly flow. 

Design & Deliver

The final design phase was the culmination of extensive user research, ideation, and iterative wireframing. Based on feedback and insights gathered during earlier stages, we created a polished, high-fidelity prototype that features a cohesive visual style, intuitive navigation, and seamless interactions that meets the goals we defined.

Wireframe

I designed the wireframe for the Terra² app using Figma, progressing from low-fidelity to mid-fidelity while keeping in mind the vision for the final interface and user experience. This wireframe was developed iteratively, incorporating user feedback at each stage to refine and enhance the design.

Low-fi wireframe

Mid-fi wireframe

Design system

The design system is created based on the branding guidelines of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is the context of creating the Terra² app, to ensure consistency and efficiency throughout the design process. This design system included detailed visual guidelines, such as color schemes, typography, and iconography, along with a library of reusable components like buttons, forms, and navigation elements. Additionally, we defined interaction patterns and animations to create a cohesive and intuitive user experience. This robust design system served as a foundation, streamlining the creation of the high-fidelity prototype and ensuring a unified look and feel across the app.

Final design

For the final prototype design of the Terra² app, I created a fully interactive and clickable prototype in Figma. To enhance the user experience, I utilized InVision Studio to incorporate animated interactions and visual effects. The combination of the tools ensured that the prototype not only looked polished but also demonstrated how users would interact with the app, enabling comprehensive user testing and feedback.

Interactive 3D globe

At the core of the app is the interactive 3D globe, an engaging and intuitive feature that provides users with a dynamic way to explore climate data. Users can effortlessly pinch, zoom, and rotate to select specific locations and view detailed environmental data. To come up with the best solution for a fun and engaging experience accessing and viewing data, we have conducted competitive analysis of several existing popular UX design of “interactive globe” concept on the market and also spent a great amount of time accessing technical feasibilities and availability of data.

Flexibility to access and read data

The app provides robust data analysis and visualization capabilities, designed to empower users with comprehensive insights into global environmental metrics. Leveraging validated data sources, users can apply filters and metrics to specific regions on the interactive globe, accessing both current and historical data trends. This flexible capability not only facilitates detailed data analysis but also supports policy makers in gaining in-depth insights crucial for informed decision-making. We prioritized simplicity and clarity in the interface design, ensuring that complex environmental data is presented in a straightforward and understandable manner.

Fun and engaging learning experience

Whether you're a concerned citizen or an environmental enthusiast, the app provides detailed information and interactive educational content that simplifies complex climate data and illustrates its real-world implications. Users can explore topics ranging from pollutant effects to sustainable practices, learning actionable steps to make a positive impact in their daily lives. In the context of COP26, the app is a perfect platform for public citizens to get engaged and be a part of this global event by viewing it’s agenda and content, learning about all the detailed topics, accessing verified data sources, and participate initiatives at fingertips. Terra² allows users worldwide connect in the app to collaborate and contribute to collective efforts towards achieving net-zero emissions.

Stay Together for Net Zero

It’s our collective responsibility to transform the globe for a better future. Get empowered by Terra² with its various environmental data and stay together for net zero.