In creating the LOFI (Low-Fidelity) concepts for NOAA, I began by researching the agency’s visual identity system and broader mission to ensure the proposed interface directions aligned with how NOAA communicates complex environmental data to the public. As a federal science agency responsible for monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions, NOAA’s work exists at the intersection of accessibility, accuracy, and public trust . I wanted the early design directions to reflect that balance — simplifying interaction patterns without compromising the clarity or credibility expected from a scientific institution.

Initial LOFI explorations focused on intuitive data hierarchy and modular layout systems that could support large volumes of environmental content across audiences ranging from researchers to the general public. Following stakeholder review, client feedback indicated a need for clearer differentiation between educational content and live environmental datasets. In response, I pivoted the layout structure to introduce stronger visual separation through containerization and revised navigation groupings, which ultimately improved scannability and reduced cognitive load during usability walkthroughs.

Additional feedback highlighted opportunities to better surface ecosystem interconnectivity — a core concept reflected in NOAA’s own emblem, which symbolizes the relationship between Earth systems such as ocean and atmosphere . I iterated on the LOFIs to incorporate more flexible content modules that could visually reinforce these relationships through proximity-based grouping and progressive disclosure patterns.

This iterative process ensured that the final wireframe direction not only addressed stakeholder priorities but also supported NOAA’s mission-driven need to communicate complex scientific information in a way that is clear, navigable, and publicly accessible.