Timeline:

January 2023 - May 2023

Software Used:

Figma

Role:

UX Designer

Goal:

Create a streamlined, accessible hub for the Rizal center to reinforce community ties and support through a complete redesign of their original website, overall reconnecting people to the space of the Rizal Center.

Context

The Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS) is a federal tool that helps scientists and educators track invasive species threatening one of North America's most vital ecosystems. While its data was critical, its website was not—users struggled with outdated visuals, inaccessible language, and unclear navigation.

My challenge was to redesign the homepage and Species Generator List in a way that was not only functional for experts, but approachable for students, teachers, and community members who also rely on the tool.

The Problem

GLANSIS’ content was trustworthy, but its interface was not. The homepage overwhelmed users with dense text, unclear pathways, and inconsistent hierarchy. On mobile, the site became nearly unusable, and the Species Generator—a key feature—was hard to find and harder to use.

We heard the same things again and again:

• “I don’t know where to start.”
• “This feels like reading a spreadsheet.”
• “Why is this so hard to use on my phone?”

Mobile Home Page

Mobile Species Page

Desktop Home Page

Desktop Species Page

Objectives

I set out to create a more accessible, approachable platform without sacrificing scientific integrity. My goals were to:

• Reorganize the homepage around top user needs
• Improve discoverability of the Species Generator List
• Simplify scientific jargon into user-friendly language