Ashley Bullard

Case Study

Climate Resources for
Health Education

Responsive website for peer-reviewed climate and health resources

Project Overview

Project Scope

Responsive Website and Branding

Tools

Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Zeplin

Stakeholders

Columbia University

Duration

7 weeks (280 hours)

Role

UX Designer

Project Scope

Tools

Stakeholders

Duration

Role

Responsive Website and Branding

Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Zeplin

Columbia University

7 weeks (280 hours)

UX Designer

Background

The Climate Resources for Health Education (CRHE) case study focuses on the UX design process undertaken to create a user-centered and responsive website for peer-reviewed climate and health resources. CRHE aims to provide educators and health professionals with easy access to reliable information and tools that integrate climate change and health education into their curricula and practice. The project began with a comprehensive understanding of the target audience, including educators, researchers, and professionals in the field of climate and health. Extensive research was conducted to identify their needs, frustrations, and motivations, which formed the foundation for developing user personas and empathy maps. These insights guided the design process, ensuring that the website addressed specific user goals and challenges.

The UX design process for CRHE involved various stages, including information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. A collaborative approach was adopted, involving stakeholders and subject matter experts to gather valuable input and ensure alignment with project objectives. Throughout the process, the design team prioritized accessibility, usability, and content reliability. Design decisions were informed by industry best practices and competitor analysis, with a focus on creating a visually appealing and intuitive interface that supported the seamless exploration and utilization of resources.

The resulting website offers a well-organized content hierarchy, clear task flows, and user-friendly features that facilitate resource discovery, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. The project showcases the importance of integrating user-centered design principles and research insights into the development of a comprehensive and impactful online platform. This case study delves into the UX design process for CRHE, highlighting the methodologies, tools, and strategies employed to create a user-centered solution. It demonstrates the value of applying a human-centric approach to design, emphasizing the significance of considering user needs, motivations, and frustrations to develop a successful digital product.

Challenges

Complex Content Organization: The website aims to provide evidence-based resources related to climate change and planetary health. The challenge lies in organizing and presenting this vast amount of complex information in a user-friendly and easily digestible manner. Careful consideration needs to be given to information architecture and navigation to ensure users can find the resources they need efficiently.

Targeting Diverse Audiences: The CRHE website caters to a wide range of audiences, including health professionals, educators, and students. Each group may have different levels of expertise and information needs. Designing a user experience that caters to this diverse audience while still providing a coherent and intuitive interface can be a challenge.

Accessibility: The website should be designed to be inclusive and accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Providing alternative text for images, ensuring proper color contrast, and adhering to accessibility guidelines are crucial considerations.

Multilingual Support: Since the initiative is global, there may be a need to provide multilingual support to reach a broader audience. This presents a challenge in terms of translating content, maintaining consistency across languages, and designing a scalable solution for future translations.

Integration of Cutting-Edge Science: The website aims to translate the latest scientific research into practical resources for health practice. Keeping up with the ever-evolving research and ensuring timely updates to the website can be challenging. The design should accommodate frequent content updates and provide a seamless experience to users.

Objectives

Design a responsive resource directory website for CRHE.
Develop and extend coherent branding that aligns with the CRHE target audience.

Design Process

From Concept to Creation

Hypothesis

Strategy

Build

Discover

Define

Develop

Deliver

Discover

Research Plan

Discover

Research allows me to understand users on a deeper level, considering their frustrations, hopes, fears, abilities, limitations, reasoning, and goals. It provides the necessary groundwork for effective solutions. To maintain research focus and guide responsive website design, I create a research plan at the beginning of each project. It includes research goals, questions, assumptions, methodologies, participants, and the project timeline.

Research Goals

Understand the information needs and preferences of the target audience for CRHE website.
Identify the usability challenges and pain points users may encounter when accessing and navigating a climate change and health education website.
Gain insights into how users perceive the credibility and trustworthiness of the CRHE initiative and the collaborating institutions.
Explore the expectations and preferences regarding brand identity and design aesthetics for a climate change and health education website.
Identify opportunities for innovation and gather feedback on potential features and functionalities for the CRHE website.

Research Questions

What specific information do health professionals, educators, and students seek regarding climate change and planetary health education resources?
What are the key usability challenges users face when accessing and navigating existing climate change and health education websites?
How do users perceive the credibility and trustworthiness of initiatives related to climate change and health education?
What are the expectations and preferences regarding brand identity and design aesthetics for a climate change and health education website?
What features and functionalities would users find most valuable and effective in a climate change and health education website?

Assumptions

The target audience for CRHE, including health professionals, educators, and students, are motivated to incorporate climate change and planetary health information into educational curricula.
Existing climate change and health education websites may have usability issues and may not fully meet the needs of the target audience.
Collaborating institutions (GCCHE, MGH, BWH, UCSF, and Emory University School of Medicine) lend credibility and authority to the CRHE initiative.
The brand identity and design aesthetics of the CRHE website should resonate with the target audience and align with their expectations and values.

Methodologies

Market Research: Conduct an analysis of the existing landscape of climate change and health education resources to identify trends, gaps, and potential opportunities.

Competitive Analysis: Evaluate similar websites or initiatives in the field of climate change and health education to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and innovative features.

User Interviews: Conduct qualitative interviews with health professionals, educators, and students to gather insights into their information needs, preferences, challenges, and perceptions related to climate change and health education resources.

Prototype Testing: Develop interactive prototypes or wireframes of the CRHE website and conduct user testing sessions to gather feedback on usability, design aesthetics, and features.

Expert Evaluation: Engage domain experts in climate change, health education, and user experience to evaluate the content, structure, and design of the CRHE website.

Participants

Participants for the research activities can include:

Health professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, public health experts)
Educators (e.g., teachers, professors, curriculum developers)
Students (from various educational levels, including medical and health-related disciplines)
Domain experts in climate change and health education

Project Timeline

Tasks

Timeframe

Market Research, Competitive Analysis, and Provisional Personas

16 hours

User Interviews, Empathy Map, and User Personas

16 hours

Statements and Questions, Brainstorming Sessions, Project Goals, Product Roadmap, and Sitemap

24 hours

Task Flow Analysis, User Flow Development, Wireframes and UI Requirements

64 hours

Mid-fidelity Prototype and Usability Testing

80 hours

Mood Board, Logo and Icon, Style Tile, UI Kit, and High-Fidelity Wireframe and Prototype

80 hours

Market Research

Discover

Conducting market research is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market landscape, including audience demographics, knowledge gaps, emerging trends, and recent news. These insights inform the creation of provisional personas and guide the formulation of meaningful questions for primary research.

Market Trends

Increasing Global Awareness: There is a growing recognition of the impact of climate change on human health and the need for education and resources to address this issue effectively.
Source: American Public Health Association

Digital Transformation: The use of digital platforms for education, collaboration, and knowledge sharing has become more prevalent, enabling wider access to resources, and fostering global connections.
Source: Harvard Business Review

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: There is a trend towards interdisciplinary collaboration among health professionals, educators, researchers, policymakers, and communities to address the complex challenges of climate change and health. Source: The Lancet

Demographics

Broad Target Audience: The target audience for CRHE includes health professionals, educators, students, policymakers, and community members interested in climate change and health education.

Global Reach: CRHE aims to have a global impact, engaging individuals and organizations from diverse geographic locations and cultural backgrounds.

Trends and Considerations

Accessibility: Ensuring the website is accessible to all users, considering factors such as usability, inclusivity, and support for assistive technologies. Source: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

User Engagement and Motivation: Design strategies should be employed to encourage active user engagement, such as gamification elements, incentives, and personalized experiences, to foster sustained participation and contributions.

Consumer Behavior

Knowledge Sharing and Learning: Users are driven by the desire to access up-to-date resources, collaborate, and gain knowledge from subject matter experts and researchers to make informed decisions and act. Source: Forbes

Collaboration and Networking: Users value opportunities to engage in collaborative projects, propose initiatives, connect with like-minded individuals, and build networks to drive positive change. Source: Asana

Emphasis on Impact: Users are motivated by the opportunity to contribute to tangible improvements in health, environment, and climate outcomes, aligning with their personal values and goals.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Competitive Analysis

Discover

It is important to research other website in the climate resources space in an effort to gather insights about their strengths and weaknesses. These insights also help me identify any gaps in features that the Hub might address. I analyzed 3 direct competitors as shown below, who provide similar climate and health resources.

EnviroHealth Solutions

EnviroHealth Solutions is a leading platform that provides a comprehensive directory of evidence-based resources on climate change and health education. Their focus is on offering in-depth research papers, case studies, and policy guidelines to support professionals in incorporating climate change considerations into health curricula.

EcoExchange

EcoExchange is an online community-driven platform dedicated to climate change and health education. It provides a range of resources, including interactive modules, webinars, and discussion forums, aiming to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among health professionals, educators, and students.

EcoMed Academy

EcoMed Academy is an innovative online learning platform that combines climate change and health education through immersive technology. They offer virtual reality simulations, interactive courses, and data visualizations to provide engaging and impactful learning experiences for health professionals and students.

Strengths

Extensive Resource Library: EnviroHealth Solutions offers a vast collection of up-to-date resources across various disciplines, ensuring a comprehensive coverage of climate change and health topics.

Global Collaborative Network: They have established partnerships with renowned universities, research institutions, and international organizations, enabling them to provide diverse perspectives and expertise.

User-Friendly Interface: EnviroHealth Solutions prioritizes a seamless user experience with intuitive navigation, advanced search filters, and personalized recommendations for easy resource discovery.

Strengths

Engaged Online Community: EcoExchange has fostered a vibrant and active community of users who actively contribute resources, engage in discussions, and share best practices.

User-Centric Design: Their website focuses on user-friendliness, ensuring a seamless experience for users to access and navigate resources, join discussions, and participate in educational programs.

Customizable Learning Paths: EcoExchange offers personalized learning paths based on users’ interests and expertise, allowing them to access tailored content that aligns with their specific needs.

Strengths

Cutting-Edge Technology Solutions: EcoMed Academy leverages virtual reality, interactive simulations, and data visualizations to enhance learning experiences and provide a deeper understanding of the connections between climate change and health.

Strong Thought Leadership: They are recognized as a leading authority in the field, actively contributing to research, conducting studies, and publishing thought leadership content.

Targeted Content for Different Audiences: EcoMed Academy delivers customized content for diverse user groups, catering to the specific needs and interests of health professionals, educators, and students.

Weaknesses

Limited Outreach to Non-Health Professionals: Their platform primarily targets health professionals and educators, potentially limiting engagement from other stakeholders, such as policymakers or community members.

Resource Updates: While they maintain a strong library, occasional delays in updating resources may result in some outdated content.

Minimal Interactive Features: EnviroHealth Solutions’ platform currently lacks interactive features or community-driven elements that could foster more engagement and collaboration among users.

Weaknesses

Limited Resource Variety: While they provide a valuable collection of resources, EcoExchange may have gaps in certain specialized areas or lack in-depth coverage on specific topics.

Integration Challenges: Their platform currently faces integration challenges with external educational platforms, potentially limiting seamless user experiences and collaborations with other institutions.

Inconsistent Updates: EcoExchange occasionally experiences delays in updating content and resources, leading to potential gaps in availability of the latest information.

Weaknesses

High Resource Requirements: Utilizing virtual reality and interactive simulations may require users to have access to specific hardware or devices, limiting the accessibility for individuals who do not have the necessary equipment or resources.

Cost Considerations: Due to the implementation of advanced technology solutions, EcoMed Academy has subscription fees and additional costs associated with accessing certain immersive experiences or specialized courses, potentially limiting access for users with limited budgets or financial resources.

Provisional Personas

Discover

Using the data from market research, I created provisional personas to represent potential users of CRHE. These personas, based on statistical knowledge, will assist me in identifying suitable individuals for interviews and understanding their needs.

Name

Public Health Powerhouse

Description

Public Health Professional

Age Range

30-39

Lifestyle

Leads a busy life, juggling work commitments, community engagements, and personal interests.
Highly motivated, constantly seeking opportunities to expand their knowledge and contribute to positive change.

Goals

Incorporate Climate Change in Curricula: They want to find evidence-based resources that can help integrate climate change and planetary health information into educational curricula, especially for schools and community programs.

Stay Up to Date: Their goal is to stay informed about the latest research, policies, and best practices in climate change and health education to enhance their professional expertise and effectiveness.

Pains

Time Constraints: They struggle with limited time to conduct comprehensive research and identify trustworthy resources, often feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information available.

Lack of Centralized Platform: They find it challenging to navigate through various websites, databases, and publications to find relevant resources, wishing for a centralized platform that offers curated and reliable content.

Name

Health Whiz

Description

Medical Student

Age Range

20-29

Lifestyle

Full-time student, balancing academics, clinical rotations, and extracurricular activities.
Tech-savvy, always connected to the latest digital tools and platforms to enhance their learning experience.

Goals

Accessible Learning Resources: They seek easily accessible and user-friendly resources that provide practical insights on incorporating climate change considerations into medical practice and patient care.

Networking and Collaboration: They want to connect with other students, educators, and practitioners who share their passion for climate change and health to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and initiate local initiatives.

Pains

Overwhelmed by Information: They often feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of information available on climate change and health, struggling to identify reliable sources and resources that align with their specific needs and interests.

Limited Integration in Medical Curriculum: They face challenges in finding resources that directly integrate climate change and planetary health into their medical curriculum, feeling a lack of emphasis on these critical topics.

Name

Learning Luminary

Description

Medical Education Specialist

Age Range

35-45

Lifestyle

They are a dedicated educator working in a medical or health-related field.
They hold a leadership position in a medical school or health institution and are responsible for curriculum development and instructional design.
They lead a busy life, balancing teaching responsibilities, administrative tasks, and engaging in professional development activities.

Goals

Integrating Climate Change in Medical Education: They aim to incorporate climate change and planetary health topics into the medical curriculum to educate future healthcare professionals about the intersection of climate change and human health.

Engaging and Effective Teaching: They strive to create engaging and effective educational experiences for their students by incorporating interactive learning activities, case studies, and evidence-based resources related to climate change and health.

Pains

Limited Time and Resources: They face time constraints in developing and updating the curriculum, and they may have limited access to specialized resources and training related to climate change and health education.

Resistance to Change: They may encounter resistance from other faculty members or institutional barriers when trying to introduce new topics or revise the curriculum to include climate change and planetary health.

Keeping Up with Evolving Science: They find it challenging to stay updated with the latest research and best practices in the field of climate change and health, as the knowledge base is rapidly evolving.

User Interviews

Discover

To truly understand our users and gain direct insights, I conducted user interviews as part of primary research. I asked participants 13 open-ended questions, encouraging them to share their experiences and stories. This helped establish a real connection with our users and gather valuable insights.

There was a total of 6 participants from a variety of backgrounds were interviewed.

Interview Questions

Could you please tell me a bit about your background and your role in the field of health or education?

What sparked your interest in climate change and its impact on health?

How do you currently incorporate climate change and planetary health topics into your educational curricula or programs?

What resources or tools do you typically use to teach about climate change and health?

Could you describe any challenges or barriers you face when trying to integrate climate change and health topics into your educational activities?

What types of resources or information related to climate change and health would you find most valuable for your educational purposes?

How do you prefer to access and consume educational resources? (e.g., online platforms, printed materials, interactive tools)

Are there any specific features or functionalities you would like to see in an online platform dedicated to climate change and health education?

Can you share any positive experiences you’ve had when using online educational platforms or resources in general?

10.

Have you encountered any frustrations or difficulties while using similar platforms or resources? If yes, could you elaborate on those?

11.

How important is collaboration and networking with other educators or professionals in the field of climate change and health education to you? Could you share any experiences or examples of successful collaborations?

12.

In your opinion, what are some of the potential positive impacts of incorporating climate change and health education into curricula?

13.

Can you share any stories or examples of how climate change and health education have influenced your students or participants positively?

Assumptions Validated

After conducting interviews with 6 participants, several assumptions related to CRHE were validated. The findings from the interviews provide insights into the users’ perspectives and experiences. While these findings are based on a limited sample size and should be further validated with a larger user group, they offer valuable initial insights. The key assumptions validated are as follows:

Assumption

Validation

Importance of Integrating Climate Change

Participants expressed a strong belief in the importance of integrating climate change and planetary health topics into educational curricula. They highlighted the need to raise awareness, promote sustainable practices, and prepare future healthcare professionals to address the health impacts of climate change.

Challenges in Curriculum Integration

Participants shared challenges they faced in integrating climate change and health topics into their curricula. These challenges included limited time, lack of appropriate resources, and the need for support in aligning the content with existing curriculum requirements.

Desire for Engaging and Practical Resources

Participants expressed a preference for engaging and practical resources that can effectively convey the complex concepts of climate change and health. They highlighted the need for interactive tools, case studies, and real-world examples to enhance learning experiences.

Collaboration and Networking Opportunities

Participants emphasized the importance of collaboration and networking with other educators, professionals, and students in the field of climate change and health education. They expressed a desire for a platform that facilitates connections, knowledge sharing, and collaborative projects.

Accessibility and Usability

Participants highlighted the importance of accessibility and usability in educational resources. They emphasized the need for user-friendly platforms with intuitive navigation, clear organization of content, and options for customization based on different educational settings and target audiences.

Need for Credible and Up-to-Date Information

Participants expressed the need for reliable, evidence-based information that reflects the latest research and best practices in climate change and health. They emphasized the importance of having access to accurate data, credible sources, and resources that are regularly updated.

Empathy Map

Discover

To analyze user interview data, I used an empathy map. It helped me identify patterns, gain insights, and understand user needs more deeply.

Insight

Need

Participants express concerns about the lack of emphasis on climate change and planetary health in current educational curricula.

Participants need easily accessible and user-friendly resources that provide practical insights on integrating climate change into curricula.

Participants feel motivated and passionate about incorporating climate change and health education into their teaching.

Participants express a need for platforms that facilitate collaboration and networking with other educators and professionals in the field.

Participants express frustration and overwhelm due to limited time, resources, and support available for curriculum integration.

Participants desire resources that can be customized to align with different educational settings and target audiences.

Participants believe that integrating climate change topics can help create a more comprehensive understanding of health and prepare future professionals to address related challenges.

Participants emphasize the importance of having access to accurate, evidence-based information that reflects the latest research and best practices.

User Personas

Discover

Understanding the audience is a crucial aspect of the UX design process for CRHE. By gathering extensive knowledge about the audience, including their goals and needs, user personas were created to represent key audience segments. These personas serve as fictional yet realistic representations of the target users, enabling the design team to focus on addressing the most important problems and fulfilling the major needs of the most significant user groups.

Name

Sophia Chen

Age

Occupation

High School Science Teacher

Marital Status

Married

Location

Boston, Massachusetts

Archetype

Educator Advocate

Sophia leads a busy life, juggling work commitments, community engagements, and personal interests. As a passionate educator, she spends time researching and developing innovative teaching approaches. She attends workshops and conferences related to climate change education to enhance her professional knowledge and network with like-minded individuals. Sophia also enjoys outdoor activities and actively participates in local environmental initiatives.

Goals

Incorporate Climate Change in Curricula: Sophia wants to find evidence-based resources that can help integrate climate change and planetary health information into educational curricula, especially for schools and community programs.

Stay Up-to-Date: Sophia’s goal is to stay informed about the latest research, policies, and best practices in climate change and health education to enhance her teaching effectiveness.

Frustrations

Limited Time: Sophia faces time constraints due to her teaching responsibilities, making it challenging to research and develop comprehensive curriculum materials.

Lack of Centralized Platform: Sophia finds it difficult to navigate through various websites, databases, and publications to find relevant and reliable resources.

Needs

Accessible Resources: Sophia needs easily accessible and user-friendly resources that provide practical insights on incorporating climate change into curricula.

Collaboration Opportunities: Sophia seeks platforms that facilitate collaboration and networking with other educators and professionals in the field.

Motivations

Making a positive impact on students’ understanding of climate change and health
Shaping environmentally conscious individuals
Contributing to a sustainable future

Name

Linda Hamilton

Age

Occupation

Community Health Educator

Marital Status

Divorced

Location

Seattle, Washington

Archetype

Change Agent

Linda is dedicated to her role as a community health educator, actively involved in developing curriculum materials, conducting research, and organizing field trips to enrich her students’ learning experiences. She frequently attends conferences and workshops to stay updated on the latest advancements in climate change and health education. In her free time, Linda enjoys outdoor activities and volunteers for local environmental organizations.

Goals

Engaging Educational Resources: Linda seeks engaging, age-appropriate, and scientifically accurate resources to teach her students about the impact of climate change on health and inspire them to act.

Collaboration Opportunities: Linda wishes to connect with other educators, researchers, and professionals to exchange ideas, share lesson plans, and collaborate on developing innovative teaching approaches.

Frustrations

Limited Time for Resource Development: Linda faces time constraints in developing comprehensive teaching materials that incorporate climate change and health topics, often relying on fragmented or outdated resources.

Keeping Up with Evolving Science: Linda struggles to stay up to date with the rapidly evolving research and best practices in climate change and health education.

Needs

Accessible Resources: Linda needs resources that are easily accessible and provide engaging, age-appropriate content on the impact of climate change on health.

Collaboration Tools: Linda seeks platforms that facilitate collaboration and networking with other educators and professionals in the field of climate change and health education.

Motivations

Linda’s passion for empowering individuals and communities drives her to make a positive impact on their health and the environment.
She believes that education is a powerful tool for fostering positive behavioral changes and addressing climate-related health challenges.
Linda is motivated by the opportunity to inspire her students and instill in them a sense of responsibility towards their own well-being and the planet.

Name

James Kingsford

Age

Occupation

Public Health Officer

Marital Status

Married

Location

New York City, New York

Archetype

Visionary Leader

Goals

Policy Development: James aims to influence public health policies and initiatives that address the health impacts of climate change and promote sustainable practices.

Advocacy and Awareness: James seeks to raise awareness about the connections between climate change and health among policymakers, community leaders, and the public.

Frustrations

Limited Buy-in: James faces challenges in getting stakeholders to recognize the urgency and importance of integrating climate change considerations into public health policies and practices.

Resistance to Change: James encounters resistance from individuals and organizations who are hesitant to embrace sustainable practices or allocate resources to address climate-related health issues.

Needs

Research and Evidence: James requires access to research and evidence that demonstrates the health impacts of climate change, as well as the effectiveness of interventions and policies.

Collaboration and Networking: James seeks opportunities to collaborate and network with other public health officials, researchers, and policymakers working on climate change and health-related initiatives.

Motivations

James is driven by his vision of a healthier and more sustainable future.
He strongly believes that addressing climate change is essential for protecting public health and creating resilient communities.
James is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to positive change by promoting awareness, education, and action on climate change and its impact on health.
He is passionate about advocating for policies and practices that prioritize the well-being of both individuals and the planet.

Statements and Questions

Define

To define the problem and generate solutions, I create goal-oriented Point-of-View (POV) Statements and frame them as How-Might-We (HMW) Questions. These statements and questions are based on the insights and needs gathered from the Empathy Map, guiding the ideation process in the brainstorming sessions.

Insight

Need

POV Statement

HMW Question

Participants express concerns about the lack of emphasis on climate change and planetary health in current educational curricula

Participants need easily accessible and user-friendly resources that provide practical insights on integrating climate change into curricula

Educators and health professionals seek an integrated platform that addresses the knowledge gaps in existing curricula and provides easy access to evidence-based resources on climate change and planetary health.

How might we create a centralized and user-friendly platform that offers educators and health professionals practical resources to seamlessly integrate climate change topics into their curricula?

Participants feel motivated and passionate about incorporating climate change and health education into their teaching

Participants express a need for platforms that facilitate collaboration and networking with other educators and professionals in the field

Educators and health professionals are eager to connect with like-minded individuals and share knowledge, seeking a collaborative platform that fosters networking and resource-sharing opportunities.

How might we develop a networking and collaboration feature that enables educators and health professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and share best practices in integrating climate change education into their teaching?

Participants express frustration and overwhelm due to limited time, resources, and support available for curriculum integration

Participants desire resources that can be customized to align with different educational settings and target audiences

Educators and health professionals face challenges in integrating climate change education due to time constraints and varying educational contexts, requiring flexible and customizable resources.

How might we design adaptive and customizable resources that cater to diverse educational settings and allow educators and health professionals to tailor content based on their specific audience needs and available resources?

Participants believe that integrating climate change topics can help create a more comprehensive understanding of health and prepare future professionals to address related challenges

Participants emphasize the importance of having access to accurate, evidence-based information that reflects the latest research and best practices

Educators and health professionals value evidence-based information and seek a reliable platform that offers the latest research and best practices on climate change and its impact on health.

How might we curate and verify content on the platform to ensure educators and health professionals have access to accurate, peer-reviewed, and up-to-date information that aligns with the latest research in climate and health?

Brainstorming Sessions

Define

During the brainstorming process, I focused on addressing the How-Might-We (HMW) questions derived from the insights and needs identified in the empathy map for CRHE. To ensure a structured and time-efficient brainstorming session, I allocated 3 minutes to each HMW question. After the first round, I moved on to the next question, aiming to generate as many diverse and creative solutions as possible. In the second round, I revisited each HMW question, building upon the initial ideas and exploring new perspectives to further enrich the brainstorming results. The iterative nature of the process allowed me to refine and improve the solutions based on the insights gained during the first round.

HMW Question 1

How might we create a centralized and user-friendly platform that offers educators and health professionals practical resources to seamlessly integrate climate change topics into their curricula?

Session 1

Session 2

Create a searchable database of peer-reviewed articles, lesson plans, and teaching materials on climate change and health.
Collaborate with subject matter experts and educators to curate a collection of climate change case studies and real-world applications for classroom use.
Develop interactive multimedia content, such as videos and simulations, to engage students in climate change education.
Offer professional development webinars and workshops for educators to enhance their knowledge and teaching strategies on climate change topics.
Introduce a gamification element to incentivize educators and health professionals to explore and use various resources.

Implement a user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation to easily access and filter resources based on subjects and grade levels.
Provide a personalized dashboard for educators and health professionals to save and organize their favorite resources and share them with their networks.
Integrate a discussion forum or community chat feature to encourage peer support and knowledge exchange among users.
Include a feature that allows users to track their progress and receive recommendations for further resources based on their interests.
Implement a feedback mechanism for users to rate and review resources, ensuring quality and relevance.

HMW Question 2

Session 1

Session 2

Create a user profile with a portfolio of educators’ achievements, expertise, and interests in climate change education.
Integrate a messaging system that facilitates direct communication between users for knowledge exchange and resource sharing.
Develop a resource-sharing platform where educators can upload and share their lesson plans, teaching materials, and success stories related to climate change education.
Enable users to create and join virtual events, workshops, and networking opportunities for professional development in climate and health education.
Implement a recognition system that acknowledges and celebrates exemplary contributions to climate change education within the community.

Incorporate a group creation feature, allowing educators and health professionals to form communities based on shared interests or locations.
Implement a live webinar or conference feature for real-time discussions and presentations on climate change topics.
Introduce a mentorship program that pairs experienced educators with those seeking guidance and support in integrating climate change topics.
Offer a collaboration space for users to co-create and collaborate on innovative climate change educational projects.
Provide integration with existing professional networks and organizations to expand networking opportunities for users.

HMW Question 3

Session 1

Session 2

Create a resource customization tool that allows users to modify the content, format, and language of resources to suit different educational settings.
Offer resources in various formats, such as downloadable PDFs, interactive websites, and slide decks, to accommodate different teaching preferences.
Develop a feedback mechanism that enables users to suggest improvements or adaptations to existing resources.
Include a resource rating system based on user feedback to identify the most effective and adaptable resources.
Implement a localization feature that allows educators to translate resources into different languages for global accessibility.

Integrate a curriculum mapping feature that aligns climate change resources with existing educational standards and frameworks.
Provide a content recommendation engine that suggests personalized resources based on user preferences and past usage.
Implement an offline mode for accessing resources in regions with limited internet connectivity or access to digital devices.
Collaborate with educators from diverse backgrounds to co-create culturally relevant and inclusive resources.
Provide guidance and toolkits on how to adapt resources for specific educational levels, subject areas, and target audiences.

HMW Question 4

Session 1

Session 2

Collaborate with reputable academic institutions and organizations to ensure content verification and peer review.
Implement a content moderation feature that allows users to report and flag questionable or outdated resources.
Establish a content review committee comprising subject matter experts to assess and validate resources regularly.
Offer a content accreditation system that highlights resources from reputable sources and peer-reviewed journals.

Integrate an automated content verification system that checks for accuracy and relevance based on established criteria.
Offer a resource update notification system to alert users when new research or information becomes available.
Provide transparency on the content curation process and the criteria used for selecting resources.
Utilize AI-driven algorithms to identify potential misinformation and ensure content quality.

Project Goals

Define

I developed project goals using the HMW questions and brainstormed solutions to assist in determining what features to include on the website. The user goals were summarized from the user personas and empathy map, and the business goals were summarized from the stakeholder input and research.

Business Goals

User Goals

Aligned Goals

Increase awareness and adoption of CRHE’s platform and resources among educators and health professionals.
Establish CRHE as a trusted authority in climate change and health education.
Foster collaboration and networking opportunities among educators, researchers, and professionals in the field.
Continuously improve and expand CRHE’s platform and resources based on user feedback and emerging trends.

Incorporate climate change and health education into curricula to empower students and promote environmental awareness.
Access easily accessible and user-friendly resources that provide practical insights on integrating climate change into curricula.
Connect with other educators and professionals to exchange ideas, share lesson plans, and collaborate on innovative teaching approaches.
Customize resources to align with different educational settings and target audiences for seamless curriculum integration.
Have access to accurate, evidence-based information on the link between climate change and health.

Promote the importance of climate change and planetary health education among educators and health professionals.
Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing within the community to enhance the quality and effectiveness of climate change and health education.
Provide accessible, reliable, and customizable resources that align with educators’ needs and enhance student learning experiences.
Continuously update and improve the platform and resources to reflect the latest research, best practices, and emerging topics in climate change and health education.

Product Roadmap

Define

To create a comprehensive product roadmap, I categorized the brainstormed solutions into four priority levels: Must-have (P1), Nice-to-Have (P2), Surprising and Delightful (P3), and Can-come-later (P4) features. This prioritization aligns with the business goals and user goals we identified. It ensures that we focus on the most essential features during the development cycle and effectively integrate our project goals into the product.

Priority

Goals

Confidence %

Effort

Feature

Homepage

Increase awareness and adoption of CRHE platform

90%

High

Clear value proposition and call-to-action

Resource Library

Provide easily accessible and user-friendly resources

95%

High

Well-organized categories, search functionality, and filters

Collaboration Hub

Foster collaboration among educators and professionals

80%

Medium

Discussion forums, chat functionality, and networking features

Customization

Customize resources for different educational settings

85%

Medium

Ability to personalize content and adapt for specific audiences

Curriculum Guides

Incorporate climate change topics into curricula

75%

Medium

Step-by-step guides and lesson plans for various subjects

User Profiles

Connect educators and professionals for networking purposes

80%

Low

User profiles with interests, expertise, and contact details

News and Updates

Provide latest research, policies, and best practices

90%

Low

Regularly updated news section and curated content

Gamification

Delight users with interactive elements and achievement rewards

70%

Medium

Badges, progress tracking, and challenges

Interactive Quizzes

Engage users with interactive quizzes on climate change and health

75%

Low

Fun and educational quizzes with immediate feedback

Community Showcase

Highlight success stories and projects by educators and professionals

65%

Medium

Platform to share and showcase innovative teaching approaches

Mobile App

Extend accessibility and reach with a mobile application

60%

High

Cross-platform mobile app with offline access

Advanced Analytics

Provide insights on user engagement and resource utilization

55%

Medium

Analytics dashboard for administrators and educators

Language Localization

Expand platform reach by offering multiple language options

50%

Low

Language settings for localized content and translations

Sitemap

Define

Once the product goals and features were established, the next step was to create a sitemap for CRHE. The sitemap serves as a visual representation of the website’s structure, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of content hierarchy and the relationships between different pages. This ensures a well-organized and user-friendly website that aligns with the goals and features identified. During the sitemap creation process, I actively collaborated with stakeholders to gather their valuable input. Their perspectives and priorities were taken into consideration when selecting the features to include in the sitemap. This collaborative approach ensured that the sitemap accurately reflected the desired functionality and content of CRHE. By involving stakeholders in the decision-making process, a sense of ownership and engagement was fostered, promoting a shared vision for the platform.

Task Flow Analysis

Develop

To ensure a clear design process, I conducted an analysis of the primary user journey for task completion on CRHE. By focusing on essential functions and prioritizing specific pages, I gained a deeper understanding of the user experience and could effectively address their needs.

User Flow Development

Develop

Building upon the task flow analysis, I created user flows that align with the identified tasks. Decision trees were incorporated to anticipate user actions based on their interactions and sentiments, enabling me to enhance the user experience and guide their journey effectively.

Wireframes

Develop

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

I began by hand-sketching low-fidelity wireframes. The flexibility and adaptability of this approach allowed me to quickly capture my initial ideas. As I progressed through the preceding stages of design, I was able to assess and improve my concepts.

Mid-Fidelity Wireframes

After establishing the visual direction of the layout, I transformed the low-fidelity wireframes into mid-fidelity wireframes. This phase focused on enhancing visual consistency and hierarchy before applying styles. The wireframes incorporated proven design patterns observed on competitor websites and addressed users’ goals, needs, frustrations, and motivations. Responsive wireframes were also developed to ensure a consistent experience across different devices. Once the essential task-oriented page designs were completed, I created a mid-fidelity prototype in Figma for usability testing. Testing the prototype at this stage helped identify information architecture and flow issues early on, saving time in the detailed design phase.

Usability Testing

Develop

Usability Test Plan

To prepare for usability testing, I developed a testing plan that outlined objectives, methodology, tasks, and evaluation criteria. This plan ensured that the testing phase was focused and aligned with the project goals. During the tests, I aimed for a 100% completion rate on the tasks, as they represented typical actions users would take on the website. However, I anticipated a 90% error rate due to the prototype’s limited functionality, understanding that users might resort to alternative approaches.

Conducting Usability Testing

I conducted remote usability testing sessions with 6 participants, observing their interactions with the prototype and creating transcripts to document their experiences. These transcripts captured any mistakes, slips, and expressed confusions, providing valuable insights into user behavior, and informing design iterations.

Affinity Map

To summarize the usability testing results, I employed an affinity map. By assigning a unique color to each participant, I categorized observations into success, patterns, and frustrations. I focused on patterns shared by most participants and derived insights and recommendations from identified frustrations. These recommendations were ranked based on priority, allowing me to address key functions and enhance brand recognition for our website and customers.

Observation Patterns

Insight

Recommendation

Participants found the account creation process quick and straightforward.

The user interface for profile creation is intuitively designed. The layout and instructions are clear and user-friendly. the website effectively guides users through the initial setup process, which is essential for encouraging users to create profiles and engage with the platform.

Continue optimizing and simplifying the profile creation process, ensuring that it remains intuitive for users with various levels of digital literacy. Additionally, consider providing helpful tooltips or guidance during the profile setup to enhance the user experience further.

Participants successfully located and downloaded the curriculum resources they needed without encountering issues.

The resource discovery and download process on the CRHE website is highly effective. The website’s organization and labeling of resources are intuitive, and the download functionality is user-friendly.

Maintain the current organization and labeling of resources, ensuring that it remains user-centric. Additionally, continue to prioritize user-friendly download options to enhance the overall user experience and make it even more efficient for users to access educational materials.

Participants successfully signed up as a contributor with ease.

The website’s process for individuals to become contributors is effective and straightforward, which is crucial for encouraging user-generated content and community engagement.

Continue refining and expanding the contributor resources, such as guides and videos, to provide even more support for users interested in contributing content. Additionally, consider ways to promote and encourage user contributions to further enrich the platform’s content offerings.

UPDATES TO WIREFRAMES

In response to valuable user feedback and the insights derived from the affinity map, adding additional information on the resource listings has been proposed to improve the user experience and address specific user needs. These updates will be reflected in the wireframe design to make the CRHE platform even more user-friendly and efficient.

Before

After

Mood Board

Deliver

To gather inspiration for CRHE, I created a mood board in Adobe Illustrator. I curated a selection of images that encapsulate the key attributes identified from our product goals and features. The goal was to keep the number of attributes minimal, ensuring that CRHE’s brand stands out distinctly.

Nature and Environment: Include images and visuals that evoke a sense of nature, sustainability, and the environment. This can include landscapes, plants, animals, and natural elements.

Health and Wellness: Incorporate visuals that represent health, well-being, and the connection between the environment and human health. This can include images of people engaged in physical activities, healthy food, and scenes that promote a sense of well-being.

Education and Learning: Include visuals that reflect the educational aspect of CRHE. This can include images of classrooms, students, books, learning materials, and educational settings.

Collaboration and Community: Incorporate visuals that represent collaboration, networking, and community engagement. This can include images of people working together, group discussions, hands joining, and diverse communities.

Technology and Innovation: Include visuals that showcase the use of technology and innovation in the context of climate change and health. This can include images of digital devices, data visualization, futuristic concepts, and cutting-edge solutions.

Empathy and Compassion: Incorporate visuals that evoke empathy, care, and compassion for others and the environment. This can include images of people helping each other, acts of kindness, and moments of connection.

Colors and Typography: Consider the color palette and typography that align with the brand identity of CRHE. Choose colors and fonts that convey the desired mood and tone, such as calming and earthy tones for nature-related themes, and clear and legible typography for educational content.

Logo and Icon

Deliver

CRHE decided to retain their existing logo. I created a complementary icon in Adobe Illustrator that aligned with the logo’s style and visual language. The icon was designed to enhance the overall brand identity and maintain consistency across the user interface.

Style Tile

Deliver

I refined CRHE’s visual style through a style tile. This comprehensive document brings together brand ideas and inspirations, featuring elements such as logo design, color palette, typography, and imagery. The style tile serves as a foundation for guiding the UI design process.

UI Kit

Deliver

High-Fidelity Wireframe and Prototype

Deliver

High-Fidelity Wireframe

I designed high-fidelity wireframes by applying established styles, creating responsive UIs. This allowed me to assess the website’s overall aesthetic and visual balance, ensuring a cohesive and appealing user experience. To summarize the usability testing results, I employed an affinity map. By assigning a unique color to each participant, I categorized observations into success, patterns, and frustrations. I focused on patterns shared by most participants and derived insights and recommendations from identified frustrations. These recommendations were ranked based on priority, allowing me to address key functions and enhance brand recognition for our website and customers.

Final Thoughts

Reflections and Beyond

Working on the project for Climate Resources for Health Education (CRHE) has been a rewarding experience. Our goal was to create a responsive website that provides educators and health professionals with easy access to peer-reviewed climate and health resources. Through in-depth research, user interviews, and iterative design, we have developed a user-centered solution that aligns with the needs and goals of our target audience. The final design emphasizes usability, accessibility, and reliable information, ensuring that CRHE becomes a valuable tool in the field of climate and health education.

Next Steps

With the completion of the project, it is crucial to consider the next steps for CRHE. Here are some recommended actions:

Content Expansion: Continuously curate and expand the collection of peer-reviewed resources to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date repository of climate and health information. This can involve partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and subject matter experts.

User Engagement: Implement features that encourage user engagement and interaction, such as discussion forums, user-generated content, and community-driven initiatives. This fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking among educators and health professionals.

Analytics and Feedback: Incorporate analytics tools to gather user data and insights. Analyze user behavior, preferences, and feedback to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions for enhancing the website’s functionality and content.

Outreach and Partnerships: Develop a marketing and outreach strategy to increase awareness and adoption of CRHE. Collaborate with relevant organizations, attend conferences and events, and leverage social media platforms to reach a broader audience of educators and health professionals.

Maintenance

To ensure the long-term success of CRHE, ongoing maintenance is crucial. This includes:

Regular Updates and Bug Fixes: Monitor the website for any issues, bugs, or broken links, and promptly address them to maintain a seamless user experience. Regularly update software and security measures to ensure data protection.

Content Review and Quality Assurance: Conduct periodic reviews of the resources to ensure they meet rigorous quality standards and reflect the latest research and best practices in the field of climate and health.

Accessibility Compliance: Regularly assess and enhance the website’s accessibility to ensure it meets or exceeds accessibility standards, enabling users with disabilities to access and navigate the content effectively.

User Support and Communication: Establish channels for user support, such as a dedicated support email or chat, to address inquiries, aid, and gather feedback. Actively communicate updates, new features, and relevant information through newsletters or blog posts.

By prioritizing these next steps and implementing effective maintenance practices, CRHE can continue to evolve as a trusted and valuable resource for educators and health professionals, contributing to the advancement of climate and health education.

Creative Driector

ASHLEY BULLARD

Other Case Studies

AGAPE ACTS

This case study case study focuses on the UX design process of creating an innovative and empowering mobile application, designed to celebrate and recognize acts of kindness and generosity in our world.

HEALTH AND CLIMATE HUB

This case study focuses on the UX design process to create an engaging and user-friendly platform that provides a directory and encourages active involvement in health and environmental initiatives.

DURATION

Project Scope

18 weeks (720 hours)

Application and Branding

DURATION

Project Scope

8 weeks (328 hours)

Website and Branding

AGAPE ACTS

DURATION

18 weeks
(720 hours)

Project Scope

Application, Website, and Branding

HEALTH AND CLIMATE HUB

This case study focuses on the UX design process to create an engaging and user-friendly platform that provides a directory and encourages active involvement in health and environmental initiatives.