GIS Visualization Interface
Summary
I redesigned an immersive geospatial visualization tool so users can upload subsurface results, adjust configurations, and interpret outputs with clarity.
I conducted customer research and usability testing, designed the end-to-end workflow for the main interface and customization panels, and built a centralized design system for the company.
- My Role
- Lead Product Designer
- Timeline
- Dec 2024 - Dec 2025
- Tools
- FigmaMiroCursor
- Skills
- User researchWireframingDesign System
Background
Boundary RSS and its flagship platform
Boundary Remote Sensing Systems (Boundary RSS) is a B2B SaaS startup whose geographic information system (GIS) platform supports subsurface exploration.
Its flagship application lets users upload their own data or pull seismic, well log, magnetic, and gravity data from across the US, all in one place.
Problem
Powerful tool, unclear workflow
The immersive, 3D visualization viewport should allow users to upload shapefiles and generate a spatial analysis, but the existing interface presents significant challenges:
No self-serve customization
Once results were processed, users couldn't adjust them and had to request any changes from the Boundary team.
Limited Feature Discoverability
Essential tools or actions were hidden or unclear, making it difficult to find features, modify inputs, and understand outputs.
How might we help users explore and customize their spatial results on their own, without confusion?
Research
Where users got stuck
Since I was new to GIS myself, I started by evaluating the interface against GIS UX heuristics across 4 core flows. I then ran exploratory usability tests with 2 industry experts and interviewed 3 current customers.
Key Insights
Fragmented workflow
Users struggled to move from uploading data to viewing spatial outputs to placing an order.
High cognitive load
Dense features, numerous files, and technical jargon overwhelmed users, especially first-timers.
Minimal guidance
With icon-only buttons and no labels or tooltips, new users relied on trial and error to modify and view their results.
Design requirements
Translating research insights to guide the new interface
Streamline the workflow
Create a clear, guided path from upload to output to order.
Simplify language and layout
Replace jargon, declutter dense features, and give the visualization more room.
Build in guidance
Add labels, tooltips, and in-context help so users don't have to learn by trial and error.
Unify the visual system
Establish consistent styles, components, and interaction patterns.
Design process
Mapping, aligning, testing, iterating
Simplifying the journey
The original journey had several fork points where users had to make a decision, and every change to their output cost a fee.
I partnered with engineering and finance to identify where payments were truly necessary and which steps could be cut, creating a more linear workflow.
Sketching the structure
I explored a dual-panel layout that separated layer management from viewing controls. Sketching let me work through the interface's structure and test it with stakeholders before moving to higher fidelity.
Prioritizing what users see first
Mid-fi reviews sparked debate over visual hierarchy, especially on the upload screens and sidebars. I kept returning to my design requirements, primarily reducing cognitive load, to guide decisions.
Building a shared design system
The redesign needed a shared foundation with engineering. I compiled GIS UX standards for layout, defined a brand-aligned color palette, and used AI to speed up building reusable components.
final product
The shipped product
Upload your data
Upload your subsurface data either through files or through a URL. If there is any additional types of data that you want to analyze, select the options.
Adjust analysis filters and layers
The left side panel acts as a dataset management section. Select the types of filters and layers that needs 3D analysis.
Adjust the visual effects for deeper analysis
Change the visual effects of the visualization. Key features include: a legend, map style, 2D/3D, draw ROI, measurement, annotations, screen capture, and zoom features.
Impact
Testing and preparing for the future
90%
of usability testers expressed a positive experience.
“The controls are straightforward and there’s more flexibility than I expected” — Participant 3
15
more customers joined the release waitlist
After the first preview was released, the customer waitlist increased with peaked interest for the product.
100%
approval from stakeholders for Phase 2
Phase 2 includes AI analysis, in-app purchasing, and advanced 3D animations.
Key takeaways
Learning and designing simultaneously
This was my first experience with GIS and subsurface imaging. I was unfamiliar with terminology and standards, but had a product to deliver.
I researched scientific articles about subsurface analysis and used AI to summarize and read through PRDs so that I could understand what I was even designing
Advocating for necessary design steps
When the project first started, I was expected to have high-fidelity prototypes in 3 days — no research, no testing.
I communicated with leadership so that I had adequate time and resources for QUALITY. I also created a “UX dictionary” with terms that other team members could refer to for a shared understanding (“wireframe” vs “prototype”)
