Citizens of
The Great Barrier Reef
A new kind of conservation organisation. Engaging people, scientists, innovators and communities from around the world in the future of the Reef. A tech platform to bring the world’s most inspiring ideas and conservation actions to life. Connecting people behind a common purpose.
✏️ Role
Lead product designer. I crafted the identity of the Great Reef Census project. Then consolidated the work in the form of a design system and communications protocol. I collaborated with the Tech Lead Som Meaden and CEO Andy Ridley to define the strategy and ecosystem. I designed the platforms user experience and interface. I conducted qualitative user testing sessions. Work closely with fascinating stakeholders like marine scientists, conservationists and divers to launch a world first climate action initiative.
🚀 Output
Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef Brand Guidelines.
The Great Reef Census site, Case study below. Survey submission tool, Image analyser tool; Citizen scientist dashboard; Detailed reporting tool, Fundraising page. Citizens GBR site updates.
All supported by PR, Social & fundraising strategies.
Case study
The Great Reef Census
The initiative: The Great Reef Census is a world-first citizen science effort to survey the Great Barrier Reef.
Why: Spanning 2,300km in length and comprising over 3,000 individual reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most incredible natural icons, but only 5-10% is regularly surveyed.
As the impacts of climate change become more advanced, scientists and managers need up-to-date information on individual reefs to better target their resources. The Great Reef Census is trialling new ways of using citizen science to help understand how the system is changing year-on-year.
The Great Reef Census: Platform
We crafted a diverse ecosystem which enabled us to collaborate with people all around the world: from scientists, divers and skippers; to people in the reef snorkelling and anyone from wherever they might be. All together behind a common cause.
From a Reef Conservation perspective the main objective was to trial a world first citizen science effort. Mobilise people around the world to be part of the future of the reef. Gather data on the reef and contribute to the analysis of the data collected.
From a user perspective, we needed to make something very complex like environmental science and reef management very easy to understand, engage and ultimately take part of.
Our key components were: The Great Reef Census site, Survey submission tool, Image analyser tool; Citizen scientist dashboard; Detailed reporting tool, Fundraising page. All supported by PR, Social & fundraising strategies.
Great Reef Census. Campaign Launch reel.
Ways of working
I follow the double diamond creative process. The whole process is guided by customer activity, pain points and feedback. Agile methodologies. Research, Design, Learn, Repeat.
Inception phase: question and inform the product brief, set requirements, business objectives and get backing from the business to kickstart the initiative.
Research & discovery: Diverging. Testing strategy. Quantitive & Qualitative. Continue to refine data findings to support design thinking.
Concept: Draft hypothesis and validate with customers. Test, iterate, test, etc.
Define: Consolidate learnings, enhance designs. Play back to business. Get ready to roadmap.
Development: Technical Design for development. Build, test, iterate.