Gies Sustabinability Dashboard Reformation

  • Redesign the UIUC Gies Sustainability Dashboard to improve discoverability, usability, and research transparency.

    • Led exploratory analysis of dashboard usability issues

    • Designed user research framework and personas

    • Developed UX wireframes in Figma

    • Proposed new dashboard information architecture

    • Created interactive filtering logic for SDG research exploration

    • Synthesized findings into final presentation for stakeholders

  • Proposed an interactive dashboard framework improving navigation clarity, SDG research discoverability, and stakeholder usability.

Final Creation Expected Impact

The redesigned dashboard improves:

  • Research discoverability through structured SDG filtering

  • Navigation clarity via simplified information architecture

  • Stakeholder engagement through interactive visual storytelling

This framework allows students, faculty, and external partners to explore sustainability research more efficiently.

Download Competition Flyer
Original Gies SDG Dashboard

Overview - Context & Challenge

The competition challenged teams to improve the Gies Sustainability Dashboard by addressing three pillars:
• Scalable Data Strategy
• Insight Generation
• Dashboard Visualization

The goal was to transform the dashboard from a static descriptive tool into an accessible, engaging, and stakeholder-centered sustainability intelligence platform.

The Problem (AS-IS Analysis) - Key Issues

  • • Not discoverable via Google
    • Poor integration into the university ecosystem

  • • Metrics lacked explanation
    • SDG classifications lacked contextual meaning

  • • Confusing navigation
    • Inconsistent legend colors
    • Limited drill-down capability
    • Slow hover response
    • No faculty-topic transparency

User Research & Persona Development

Persona 1: Student (Selina)

Persona 2: Donor (Tyra)

Strategic UX Framework (TO-BE Vision)

my role: product designer + data strategist