Key Design Updates

Although we made a lot of smaller design changes, such as adjusting colors & button sizes, there were a few major design updates that I feel changed the way users use the application.

1. Resource Accessibility

   We wanted to approach this in two ways: introducing onboarding screens and adding more detail to their help button.

   1. We felt there was a need to add extra onboarding screens on startup to inform users of any new features that we may have added to the application. The onboarding screens not only help future users but also bring some validity to the application, as people can learn to use it properly and not feel overwhelmed. The onboarding screens we ended up adding were informational screens about: Facilities, Complaints, and Complaint Tracking.

   2. For the help button, one main issue was that it linked directly to their phone line even though users may not be looking for that when they click on that button. This direct link also created issues where users would misclick on the button and end up calling the phone line accidentally. In order to solve both of these issues, we decided to create a pop-up that would give users options on how they wanted to proceed with getting help. This pop-up has 3 buttons in it: File a Complaint, Track Status, and Call Now.

2. Improving the F.I.N.D. (Facility INformation Detail) Search — more info

   The F.I.N.D. search is an integral part of the SCAQMD system, as it allows for transparency about emissions. Users are able to search for public information about South Coast AQMD-regulated facilities (that is, facilities that are required to have a permit to operate equipment that releases pollutants into the air) & track data. This allows for accountability, as users can track company data & raise an issue if they find a problem with the emissions.

   Improving this search included better facility information pages, adding filters, and creating a robust search design that would work in different use cases. We had to have a few meetings to clarify requirements and confirm that our designs are headed in the direction that the client wanted, but in the end we were able to create designs that integrate well into the application. I have included the designs of these pages below.

3. Complaint Submittal & Management

   Complaints are also a big part of the system as they allow the public to report any different odors or pollution that they may be noticing. Previous to including it in the application, the complaint submittal section was obscured on the website, in a place where it was extremely hard for users to find. We wanted to bring this form to the forefront so that more users would use it & allow for SCAQMD to hold corporations accountable.

   Complaint Submittal: For the submittal process, users can click on the help button in the bottom navigation to navigate towards the complaint submittal pages. Users are then prompted to add personal contact information as well as details about the complaint, such as Complaint Type, Description, Street Address, & Business Name. After submitting their complaint information, users are given a complaint number to use as reference and the complaint is saved in their app.

   Complaint Management: At any time, users can click on the help button and navigate towards the “Track Complaint” page. On this page they can view, add, or delete complaints easily. So far we have heard from users that they like this feature in the application, as it allows for easy access to information.