UX for Data visualization and research professionals
Building a public data platform for audience of 3 expertise levels
Client
The Khalifa Ihler Institute
Expertise
UX Research
UI Prototyping
Data Visualisation
Timeline
4 months
Designed on Figma, Brought to life with ✨Figma Make✨
TL;DR
I led UX strategy for a complex public data platform
Research, IA, and end-to-end concept design
The problem is conflicting needs
Three user types (casual visitors, researchers, community advocates) with conflicting information needs on one platform.
I solved it with layered Information Architecture
Each user type gets their own section while sharing a coherent visual and navigational language.
My re-design was key for funding
5-page proof of concept and research-backed strategy validated by 6 user interviews and competitive analysis of 5 platforms.
The problem
We had to present complex data to casual users, expert researchers, and the communities represented in the data
We collaborated with Bjørn Ihler, co-founder of the Khalifa Ihler Institute, on Hatemap.io, a public data platform that tracks and visualizes hate crimes worldwide through interactive maps and dynamic data displays. Bjørn wanted to build a space that educates casual users, provides necessary data to professionals, and enables collaboration among affected communities. But those requirements clash with each other.
The original site wasn't catering to either target users…
🙎♂️ Casual Users
🕵️♂️ Researchers
👥 Community
Research
Research kept returning to the same tension: casual visitors need a story, researchers need the data behind it.
Solution
The result is a multi-layered data visualization, and space for tools and resources
The goal of this project was to strike a balance between simplicity, exploration, and community.
Quick information -> Click -> Detailed information
🙎♂️🕵️♂️👥 Built for all user types
The data visualization is designed with a gradual reveal of detailed information, so that those who are curious can explore, while the rest can leave with the information they need.
Bite-sized information
🕵️♂️ Built for Casual users
Researchers want to dig around and play with data - make comparisons and connect dots. The Trend Finder tool helps them do just that.
Data Exploration and literacy tools
🕵️♂️ Built for Researchers
Researchers want to dig around and play with data - make comparisons and connect dots. The Trend Finder tool helps them do just that.
Advocacy & Outreach Tools
👥 Built for community members
Articles that tell stories, and resources for those who need, and a discord server built by the founder provide help and companionship to anyone that needs it.
Future scope
Optimisations and implementations down the lane.
While our timeframe was short, we thought farther into the future of Hatemap.io, in order to optimize it for users with different needs and circumstances, plans to make the implementation of this design more effective, and expanding on our product without roadblocks.
Mobile-first design for a global a global accessibility (not everyone has computers)
While researchers tend to work on desktop, community advocates and casual users are predominantly mobile. Designing for mobile meant prioritizing quick access to resources and community spaces, not the full data exploration toolkit.
The mobile optimization plan puts more of an emphasis on the community spaces and resources, so users can find help or connect with communities efficiently.
A research-backed prototype used to pitch for implementation funding
Bjorn took the prototype to funding conversations as a proof of concept for what Hatemap.io could become. The original site has since gone offline, the redesign hasn't been implemented yet, and funding is still pending.
But that's the reality of early-stage design work. Timelines don't always match the pace of implementation.
Meet the team (after we wrapped up our hand over)
Check out our blogpost to dive deeper!
Check out some of my other work…
