Overview
The Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking cell (TacSRT) needed to transform a manual, chaotic, human-driven process into a streamlined, digital solution for sustainability, centralization, and future automation.
I took the product's design from a blank page, resulting in a "wicked awesome"* web application.
* Real feedback from usability test by unit leader.
Contribution
Led 0-to-1 product development, designing a comprehensive user experience—from concept to production.
Architected design system with: custom component library, accessibly branded dark/light theming, modular information structures, and accessible content design to support diverse user roles. Inclusive: 20+ user flows, 50+ email templates, 60+ screens.
Developed reusable patterns and roles/permissions approaches to accelerate development velocity. Established complete brand identity from scratch.
Combined startup execution with enterprise scalability, driving stakeholder alignment and business value.
Context
The Space Force successfully piloted a program to provide operational planning products to combatant commands utilizing commercial data analytics and publicly available information.
Like a start-up that successfully proved its product-market fit, the unit needed to scale their solution, through—digitization, standardization, and automation.
Artifacts
Project Kick-off: First Week
The first, initial wireframe prototype of the application—grounded in extensive process research provided as essential onboarding reading material. Used the out-of-the-box component library & design system, MUI, to expedite prototyping and app development.
Mid-Project: Usability Test Screen
In a more complete state, with clearer information architecture, content design, layout, components, and deeper understanding of purpose.
Late-Stage: Identity & Custom Theming
Full custom theming, alongside continued improvements and refinements across the application—aligned with the branding.
All colors compliant to federal regulations with WCAG AA contrast ratios above 4.5:1.
Process Artifact: Mapping Interface Assets for Developers
The user interface mapped to all templates, pages, and components to support developers with easy wayfinding of design reference materials, aligning high level user flows to their corresponding pages & components.
Each is linked to a specific artifact in the emergent Figma Design & Component Libraries.
Process Artifact: Mind Mapping; Identity & Brand Development
An extensive mind map created to collaborate with client on the product’s identity and branding. Inclusive of Guiding Product Principles, imagery, metaphors, brand values, descriptors, associations, stakeholders, and users.
