New method of data collection for on-field researchers.
New method of data collection for on-field researchers.
deep data capture
Role
Lead UX Designer
UX Researcher
1 month
Duration
Team
James Yab (Team Lead)
Daan Eeltik (App Developer)
Abi Mekuriya (Programmer)
Role
Lead UX Designer
UX Researcher
1 month
Duration
Team
James Yab (Team Lead)
Daan Eeltik (App Developer)
Abi Mekuriya (Programmer)
During my internship at Kashmir World Foundation, I led UX design for the Bioacoustics & AI team. Our mission evolved from creating a bird identification app to developing a specialized platform for field researchers to capture animal behavioral data. Working under a tight one-month timeline, I designed a solution that streamlined qualitative data collection for our Costa Rica expedition team enabling researchers to observe wildlife responses to audio stimuli.
Overview
Lead UX Designer
UX Researcher
1 month
Role
Duration
Team
James Yab (Team Lead)
Daan Eeltik (App Developer)
Abi Mekuriya (Programmer)
During my internship at Kashmir World Foundation, I led UX design for the Bioacoustics & AI team. Our mission evolved from creating a bird identification app to developing a specialized platform for field researchers to capture animal behavioral data. Working under a tight one-month timeline, I designed a solution that streamlined qualitative data collection for our Costa Rica expedition team enabling researchers to observe wildlife responses to audio stimuli.
Overview
Overview
THE PROBLEM
Needed internal platform for on-field qualitative data collection
Our initial research phase involved figuring out the specific methodology to use during our team’s on-field research expedition in Costa Rica. The project was focused on developing a new methodology to gather qualitative data on how animals react to some sounds, for example, approaching predators or poachers. After further discussion, we designed a specialized platform to support our unique bioacoustics research methodology during the Costa Rica expedition.
Diagram of bioacoustics research system
Needed internal platform for on-field qualitative data collection
THE PROBLEM
Our initial research phase involved figuring out the specific methodology to use during our team’s on-field research expedition in Costa Rica. The project was focused on developing a new methodology to gather qualitative data on how animals react to some sounds, for example, approaching predators or poachers. After further discussion, we designed a specialized platform to support our unique bioacoustics research methodology during the Costa Rica expedition.
Diagram of bioacoustics research system
Improving onboarding for new users
Better data visualization
Enhancing offline capabilities
Based on this, we concentrated on three key takeaways from the analysis:
Opportunity Areas
Opportunity Areas
Researching existing platforms
Researching existing platforms
We initially planned an app to identify birds by sound, so we researched accordingly, conducting UX audits on four top bird-ID apps to assess market gaps and improvement opportunities. Our research involved evaluating the apps’ usability, accessibility, and core features through heuristic analysis.
As our project evolved, we shifted our focus to designing an app for field researchers collecting bioacoustics data for an upcoming expedition in Costa Rica. Insights from our initial research helped shape our design priorities, such as optimizing for ease of data entry and offline usability.
Below is a table summarizing our analysis of various bird-sound identification apps:
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Based on this, we concentrated on three key takeaways from the analysis:
Opportunity Areas
Improving onboarding for new users
Enhancing offline capabilities
Better data visualization
Researching existing platforms
We initially planned an app to identify birds by sound, so we researched accordingly, conducting UX audits on four top bird-ID apps to assess market gaps and improvement opportunities. Our research involved evaluating the apps’ usability, accessibility, and core features through heuristic analysis.
As our project evolved, we shifted our focus to designing an app for field researchers collecting bioacoustics data for an upcoming expedition in Costa Rica. Insights from our initial research helped shape our design priorities, such as optimizing for ease of data entry and offline usability.
Below is a table summarizing our analysis of various bird-sound identification apps:
RESEARCH
goal
After our analysis, we decided to address this issue:
How might we create an offline-capable app for researchers to efficiently collect and analyze animal behavioral responses during our expeditions?
Provide access to a database of bird species and locally stored recordings for easy review at any time.
Enable users to record, analyze, and store recordings while obtaining results in just a few interactions.
Chose a clear onboarding process with immediate required permission requests to ensure a seamless user experience.
Sketch #2
Sketch #1
Sketch #3
In the initial stages of designing the bird-identification application, I sketched potential screens inspired by my UX audits of similar apps, which some features were later integrated into our data-collection app.
IDEATING
IDEATING
Sketching initial designs
Sketching initial designs
Goal
After our analysis, we decided to address this issue:
How might we create an offline-capable app for researchers to efficiently collect and analyze animal behavioral responses during our expeditions?
Goal
After our analysis, we decided to address this issue:
How might we create an offline-capable app for researchers to efficiently collect and analyze animal behavioral responses during our expeditions?
Sketch #2
Enable users to record, analyze, and store recordings while obtaining results in just a few interactions.
Provide access to a database of bird species and locally stored recordings for easy review at any time.
Sketch #1
Chose a clear onboarding process with immediate required permission requests to ensure a seamless user experience.
Sketch #3
In the initial stages of designing the bird-identification application, I sketched potential screens inspired by my UX audits of similar apps, which some features were later integrated into our data-collection app.
IDEATING
Sketching initial designs
Main feature
DESIGN
As our team transitioned to developing a data collection app, we integrated key elements from our initial designs into the new framework.
Features we aimed to include:
Offline accessibility with a downloadable map
Automatic location capture when recording a simulation
Adjustable display settings for outdoor and indoor modes
Simultaneous audio playback and recording capabilities
Based on user needs and competitive research, I designed a step-by-step simulation flow where users can effectively create, preview, and record environmental simulations. The interface is designed for ease of use with call-to-action buttons, detailed instructions, and organized data presentation.
Main feature
DESIGN
As our team transitioned to developing a data collection app, we integrated key elements from our initial designs into the new framework.
Features we aimed to include:
Offline accessibility with a downloadable map
Automatic location capture when recording a simulation
Adjustable display settings for outdoor and indoor modes
Simultaneous audio playback and recording capabilities
Based on user needs and competitive research, I designed a step-by-step simulation flow where users can effectively create, preview, and record environmental simulations. The interface is designed for ease of use with call-to-action buttons, detailed instructions, and organized data presentation.
Final design before expedition
Final design before expedition
PRODUCT
PRODUCT
As of the time of writing, the programmers haven’t fully completed developing the app. However, the core data collection feature was successfully implemented before our researchers' departure.
Below is the prototype we designed:
Final design before expedition
PRODUCT
As of the time of writing, the programmers haven’t fully completed developing the app. However, the core data collection feature was successfully implemented before our researchers' departure.
Below is the prototype we designed:
MOVING FORWARD
What I would’ve changed
If not for time constraints, here’s what I would have approached differently:
Conducted more usability testing
Designed additional screens for better data organization
Enhanced accessibility in outdoor environments
Created a cleaner, more polished aesthetic
Expanded on offline mode and settings
Performance Overview
70+ simulations collected during the expedition.
Post-expedition feedback (via interviews and researcher input) showed overall satisfaction.
Efficiency evaluated through time-on-task and error observation; most tasks performed well, with one outlier.
Functionality is priority
Functionality is priority
TAKEAWAYS
TAKEAWAYS
Be able to adapt to changes
Be able to adapt to changes
The KWF’s Bioacoustics team’s project began with an incomplete product vision, initially focusing on bird identification and later changing to a data collection platform. This shift highlighted the importance of flexibility in design to ensure that one can respond to altering project needs. By being flexible, we were able to shift our focus towards a more appropriate solution.
With only a month to design and build the app, we had to focus on what mattered most! Instead of making something flashy but incomplete, we created a clean, straightforward design that worked reliably. This practical approach helped our programmers finish on time while still giving researchers what they needed in the field.
MOVING FORWARD
What I would’ve changed
If not for time constraints, here’s what I would have approached differently:
Conducted more usability testing
Designed additional screens for better data organization
Enhanced accessibility in outdoor environments
Created a cleaner, more polished aesthetic
Expanded on offline mode and settings
Performance Overview
70+ simulations collected during the expedition.
Post-expedition feedback (via interviews and researcher input) showed overall satisfaction.
Efficiency evaluated through time-on-task and error observation; most tasks performed well, with one outlier.
other projects
Functionality is priority
Functionality is priority
TAKEAWAYS
Be able to adapt to changes
The KWF’s Bioacoustics team’s project began with an incomplete product vision, initially focusing on bird identification and later changing to a data collection platform. This shift highlighted the importance of flexibility in design to ensure that one can respond to altering project needs. By being flexible, we were able to shift our focus towards a more appropriate solution.
With only a month to design and build the app, we had to focus on what mattered most! Instead of making something flashy but incomplete, we created a clean, straightforward design that worked reliably. This practical approach helped our programmers finish on time while still giving researchers what they needed in the field.
