Leveraging AI to Protect Animal Migration Patterns
with the NatureNet concept
Innovation Concept
Senior UX/UI
3 Month Duration
Leveraging AI to Protect Animal Migration Patterns
with the NatureNet concept
Innovation Concept
Senior UX/UI
3 Month Duration
Leveraging AI to Protect Animal Migration Patterns
with the NatureNet concept
Innovation Concept
Senior UX/UI
3 Month Duration
Leveraging AI to Protect Animal Migration Patterns
with the NatureNet concept
Innovation Concept
Senior UX/UI
3 Month Duration
Overview
Overview
I was the designer on an internal project focused on sustainability innovation, utilizing generative AI to protect animal migration patterns in developing countries where the adverse effects of human development are more pronounced.
I was the designer on an internal project focused on sustainability innovation, utilizing generative AI to protect animal migration patterns in developing countries where the adverse effects of human development are more pronounced.
Problem
Problem
The ongoing encroachment of human activities into the natural habitats of species across all major ecosystems on the planet is increasingly disrupting animal migration patterns. Such disruptions have profound implications for agriculture and food security, the tourism industry, biodiversity and ecosystem services, fisheries, public health, cultural practices, and climate change dynamics.
The ongoing encroachment of human activities into the natural habitats of species across all major ecosystems on the planet is increasingly disrupting animal migration patterns. Such disruptions have profound implications for agriculture and food security, the tourism industry, biodiversity and ecosystem services, fisheries, public health, cultural practices, and climate change dynamics.
Vision
Vision
The team that I was part of envisioned a new desktop-oriented web app that would provide detailed insights into animal migration patterns, endangered species information, species density, and specific conservation recommendations (e.g. wildlife overpasses) and monitoring tools for stakeholders interested in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The team that I was part of envisioned a new desktop-oriented web app that would provide detailed insights into animal migration patterns, endangered species information, species density, and specific conservation recommendations (e.g. wildlife overpasses) and monitoring tools for stakeholders interested in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
A Few Details
A Few Details
Intended Audience
The potential user base for this exciting application is extensive and diverse, targeting a broad spectrum of potential users including:
Government Agencies (Primary)
Urban and Regional Planners (Primary)
Conservationists and Wildlife Researchers
Environmental NGOs and Advocacy Groups
Educational Institutions, Educators, and Students
Eco-Tourism Operators
Farmers
Indigenous Groups
Environmental Consultancy Services
These groups stand to benefit greatly from the app's features, positioning it as a valuable tool for fostering sustainable human-nature interactions. We prioritized users involved in urban planning and driving economic growth in developing nations across both private and public sectors.
The potential user base for this exciting application is extensive and diverse, targeting a broad spectrum of potential users including:
Government Agencies (Primary)
Urban and Regional Planners (Primary)
Conservationists and Wildlife Researchers
Environmental NGOs and Advocacy Groups
Educational Institutions, Educators, and Students
Eco-Tourism Operators
Farmers
Indigenous Groups
Environmental Consultancy Services
These groups stand to benefit greatly from the app's features, positioning it as a valuable tool for fostering sustainable human-nature interactions. We prioritized users involved in urban planning and driving economic growth in developing nations across both private and public sectors.
My Role
Branding
Research
UI/UX Design
User Testing
Branding
Research
UI/UX Design
User Testing
Scope & Constraints
Our aim was to develop a prototype to attract further investment. There were many unknown factors, such as what custom datasets would be needed, how that information would be acquired, and how they would integrate with various LLM APIs that are available.
To keep the scope manageable, the app was designed as a desktop-only product, which is also the expected context of use for most of our users.
Our aim was to develop a prototype to attract further investment. There were many unknown factors, such as what custom datasets would be needed, how that information would be acquired, and how they would integrate with various LLM APIs that are available.
To keep the scope manageable, the app was designed as a desktop-only product, which is also the expected context of use for most of our users.
Process
Process
Working on a blue-sky design concept with limited resources, I adopted a nimble design process for efficiency. "Scrappy" or "guerilla-style" design processes can be pretty exciting compared to large, lumbering programs with dozens of designers. In this case, it was a welcome change for me.
Working on a blue-sky design concept with limited resources, I adopted a nimble design process for efficiency. "Scrappy" or "guerilla-style" design processes can be pretty exciting compared to large, lumbering programs with dozens of designers. In this case, it was a welcome change for me.
Process
Process
01
A quick rundown of who we're designing for
The team and I categorized our personas based on their roles in the public and private sectors, drawing on four team members' sustainable development expertise to understand these groups' core needs and challenges. Additionally, interviews with two private-sector planners facing the task of reducing human impacts on animal migrations and climate change highlighted the tool's urgent necessity. While personas were not explicitly created, the foundational effort to identify the tool's target users shed valuable light onto how to solve the problem.
The team and I categorized our personas based on their roles in the public and private sectors, drawing on four team members' sustainable development expertise to understand these groups' core needs and challenges. Additionally, interviews with two private-sector planners facing the task of reducing human impacts on animal migrations and climate change highlighted the tool's urgent necessity. While personas were not explicitly created, the foundational effort to identify the tool's target users shed valuable light onto how to solve the problem.
02
What's the skeleton of this app?
My colleagues on the team collectively provided insights into the capabilities of this blue-sky effort. We held collaborative meetings to discuss how the product would meet the needs of our target audience. We ultimately decided to build the necessary screens to support quick guerilla-style usability testing while also supporting our storytelling efforts.
My colleagues on the team collectively provided insights into the capabilities of this blue-sky effort. We held collaborative meetings to discuss how the product would meet the needs of our target audience. We ultimately decided to build the necessary screens to support quick guerilla-style usability testing while also supporting our storytelling efforts.
03
What part of this app is AI-driven, and what is not?
Before transitioning our concepts into screen designs, the team engaged in brainstorming sessions to delineate the application's GenAI functionalities from those driven merely by data or algorithms. It was determined that GenAI would be utilized to communicate the contributing factors behind a project's Risk Value (e.g., High, Medium, Low) and to generate wildlife corridor options recommended for mitigating the impact of human development projects. Furthermore, as part of ongoing project performance monitoring, Risk Factors would be dynamically updated, accompanied by AI-generated explanations.
Before transitioning our concepts into screen designs, the team engaged in brainstorming sessions to delineate the application's GenAI functionalities from those driven merely by data or algorithms. It was determined that GenAI would be utilized to communicate the contributing factors behind a project's Risk Value (e.g., High, Medium, Low) and to generate wildlife corridor options recommended for mitigating the impact of human development projects. Furthermore, as part of ongoing project performance monitoring, Risk Factors would be dynamically updated, accompanied by AI-generated explanations.
04
Is this something you'd like to have, dear user?
I developed a prototype illustrating a project's lifecycle, from setup and initial assessment to AI-driven mitigation recommendations and monitoring tools. Despite its simplicity, it served effectively for soliciting feedback from our test audience.
Next, I conducted informal feedback sessions with our target audience to gauge their reactions to the designed capabilities and their effectiveness in addressing their needs and pain points. These user walkthroughs proved invaluable for refining the design. Initially, the application was conceptualized with distinct screens for each function. However, user feedback suggested integrating multiple screens to enhance value significantly. This insight shifted our perspective towards considering "layers" of information rather than isolated screens, indicating a need for further development in interaction methods and UI design. It's not clear if the buttons across the top of the map are single or multi-select, for example.
I developed a prototype illustrating a project's lifecycle, from setup and initial assessment to AI-driven mitigation recommendations and monitoring tools. Despite its simplicity, it served effectively for soliciting feedback from our test audience.
Next, I conducted informal feedback sessions with our target audience to gauge their reactions to the designed capabilities and their effectiveness in addressing their needs and pain points. These user walkthroughs proved invaluable for refining the design. Initially, the application was conceptualized with distinct screens for each function. However, user feedback suggested integrating multiple screens to enhance value significantly. This insight shifted our perspective towards considering "layers" of information rather than isolated screens, indicating a need for further development in interaction methods and UI design. It's not clear if the buttons across the top of the map are single or multi-select, for example.
05
Let's spruce it up a little bit
I created higher fidelity mockups to bring the project to life even further. In addition to bringing additional fidelity to the prototype, I also added a few new features, including search and the ability to maintain multiple organizations with the same account.
I created higher fidelity mockups to bring the project to life even further. In addition to bringing additional fidelity to the prototype, I also added a few new features, including search and the ability to maintain multiple organizations with the same account.
Challenges
Challenges
The primary challenges of this project revolved around the feasibility of constructing the tool, contingent upon data availability and the uncertain interaction with existing LLMs to generate the desired results. Anticipating a complex integration process, we also considered the need for customization and fine-tuning, as well as concerns regarding data privacy and security, particularly with proprietary information.
The primary challenges of this project revolved around the feasibility of constructing the tool, contingent upon data availability and the uncertain interaction with existing LLMs to generate the desired results. Anticipating a complex integration process, we also considered the need for customization and fine-tuning, as well as concerns regarding data privacy and security, particularly with proprietary information.
Next Steps
Next Steps
The presentation of this project to stakeholders successfully generated significant internal interest and excitement, leading to the procurement of additional funding for the application's continued development. Future efforts will focus on refining the UI and responsive design, interaction patterns, technical solutions, data acquisition and security, along with other standard considerations inherent to the product development cycle.
The presentation of this project to stakeholders successfully generated significant internal interest and excitement, leading to the procurement of additional funding for the application's continued development. Future efforts will focus on refining the UI and responsive design, interaction patterns, technical solutions, data acquisition and security, along with other standard considerations inherent to the product development cycle.