Assignment
GeoIQ commissioned us to design a mobile app for US-based Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel. The app overlays mission-critical information onto shared maps and allows first responders to share new information.
The idea is that people could broadcast their whereabouts through social media, and they would appear on the responders’ mission map. Such broadcasting could be done with e.g. geo-tagged tweets or Facebook status messages.
GeoIQ is the corporate face of GeoCommons, which is an open-source platform for geo-information. The platform allows users to overlay quantitative and qualitative data on maps; our app is the mobile version.
Method
Our first task was to learn as much about SAR disaster response as we could. Our project team at GeoIQ furnished us with lots of helpful material and assistance. We got user profiles and a scenario walk-through to inform our design process.
With our client and stakeholders in the US, our Axure-built prototype played a crucial role in communication and feedback. Our iteration turnover was fast and frequent, and the prototype allowed us to stay on the same page while still remaining flexible.
Along with the prototype, we delivered detailed specification documents to ensure design continuity into the visual design and development process.
CLEVER°FRANKE, a Dutch design agency and our visual design partner, did the visual design for this project. We and GeoIQ are very happy with how they turned our interaction design into a beautiful interface.
Results
For now, a single Search and Rescue team in the US is trialling the app as a pilot study. If it is successful, more teams and agencies may adopt our app into their disaster response workflow.
So far, we have received positive feedback from GeoIQ, from other stakeholders, and most importantly from the first responders in the field. If we can help them save lives, then we can be proud.
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