Mapping Platform
UX Research, user interviews, stakeholder engagement, styleguides, interface design, low/high fidelity mockups and wireframes, design decision discussions.
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A version of the mapping platform existed when I joined the effort. The goals of the new platform were to:
1. Allow the user to more easily view and dissect pertinent information
2. Design for data type extensibility
3. Intersect variable types within the map to allow for county/state categorizations
4. View county/state specific metrics based on user selection
5. Incorporate a variety of views of the map incorporating various overlays and filtering mechanisms
User development was an iterative process based on the stage of development. The personas included data scientist, policymaker, and health researcher. I co-led user interviews and then synthesized the data collected. The users needs, as well as the stakeholders' priority users informed design decisions, the platforms user experience, and flow of importance. Due to the variety of user groups, it was a challenge to accomadate every feature for all groups, and one or two took priority.
*Image blurred for privacy
The platform layout was created based on the hierarchy of user needs. The control panel and map were placed in the main area of the screen, as those are the primary interactive elements. The anaylsis of data for selected areas (the "Details Panel") was placed to the left of the primary area to allow the user to view selected area information and the map concurrently. Additional information was placed below the map, as that is less directly tied to the users selections, and scrolling would be nessecary.
To accomodate for various user groups, the user can manually drag the divider between the map and the details. Data scientists preffered more screen space for viewing details, rather than viewing the map. Policymakers preffered more screen space for the map, focusing on areas of interest within the map.
Three color pallettes were nessecary for different views offerred on the map. The color choosing process included 508 compliance testing and color contrast testing for all colors within each pallette, as well as for outlines, overlays, and text that would touch the colors.
Ultimately the stakeholder decided to stick with previous color pallette genres of blue and purple sequential colors and multicolor qualitative colors, regardless of the design teams reccomendations. We worked to ensure the exact shades would meet 508 compliance testing and sufficient color contrasts.
Multiple filter and overlay mechanisms were designed and implemented, each with the intent of increasing map customization for the user.
One noteworthy inclusion was the categorization filter, which allows the user to filter out all areas that do not fall into within user specified variable data thresholds. Data scientists and researchers expressed interest in manipulating data to better understand it.
Additionally, the isolate geography feature allows the user to view the selected area with limited views of the areas around it, based on selection. Policymakers expressed interest in focusing on one area and delving into the data and trends there.
Some examples of area-specific data were demographic and variable information. The displays went through stages of development to ultimatley ensure readability, diffrentialbility, and clarity to the user.
(Images to the right depict original designs vs final designs.)
Full page examples can be viewed below.
