Their mission is to preserve habitat and biodiversity while advancing ecological research and education. At the time of this project, they were expanding their research partnerships and needed better ways to share ecosystem modeling data with both professional researchers and broader educational audiences.
Researchers relied on prototypes to run experiments on how small environmental changes ripple through ecosystems, but the interface was fragmented and difficult to extend. Educators and students also struggled to parse the data without clear visual cues. The challenge was to unify design approaches into a consistent system that could serve multiple audiences and make complex ecological data more intuitive.
Working as Senior Visual Designer with Stamen Design, I developed a library of UI components, consolidated interaction patterns, and translated research workflows into approachable user flows. I introduced slope graphs to highlight changes in ecosystem variables at a glance and shifted complex radial diagrams into more readable vertical layouts. By working in high fidelity with real data, I ensured that researchers and educators could provide realistic feedback throughout the process.
The component library established a foundation for future tools, while the visual designs clarified research workflows and made results easier to share with students and educators. By shaping the prototype into a consistent interface system, I helped MPG Ranch communicate the interconnectedness of ecosystems in ways that were both scientifically rigorous and broadly accessible.
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