UX designer, user researcher, visual designer
UX designer, user researcher, visual designer
Alpha project exploring digital solutions for Heat Networks.
UX design
I led the interaction design for an Alpha project with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), investigating how digital solutions could support the growth and efficiency of Heat Networks. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, we built on prior Discovery findings to prototype and test digital tools aimed at improving data transparency, user accessibility, and operational efficiency.
Through in-depth user research with key stakeholders, including local authorities, energy providers, and consumers, we identified key challenges in heat network adoption, data standardisation, and regulatory compliance. The Alpha phase focused on designing and iterating prototypes to validate the feasibility of a digital service that could enhance monitoring, increase adoption, and support decarbonisation goals.
I designed and iterated a flow for a Compliance Checker and Onboarding Flow, ensuring clarity and usability for different stakeholder groups. A key challenge was making it immediately clear whether users needed to comply with Heat Network regulations. Through multiple rounds of user research and testing, I refined the flow to improve navigation, accessibility, and comprehension, ensuring that users could quickly determine their regulatory obligations and next steps.
To further validate our designs, I built a working flow in code, allowing for usability testing with real users. This prototype was crucial in testing interaction design, accessibility, and technical feasibility. A key focus was ensuring that users could quickly and confidently assess whether the regulation applied to them. Accessibility testing ensured the solution met WCAG standards, making it usable for all stakeholders, including those with disabilities.
I also designed and built the feasibility flow for the Statement of Applicability, a crucial step in registering a Heat Network. This flow helped users determine whether they needed to comply with regulations and guided them through the early stages of the registration process with clarity and confidence.
A key challenge was ensuring that users could quickly assess feasibility and understand their next steps. By refining content, interactions, and accessibility, we created a seamless experience that provided regulatory clarity.
After submission, the Statement of Applicability was assessed by regulators, with feedback provided for any required adjustments. I designed the flow to ensure clarity on requirements, guiding users through necessary corrections with minimal friction. Through prototyping, testing, and iteration, I refined the process to streamline compliance, reduce back-and-forth, and help users efficiently meet regulatory standards.