Making complex mesh satellite networks easier to manage
LEad product designer @Spideroak inc · 2023
Overview
I worked directly with the company CTO to set the vision and strategy for a new product category. I was the principal designer for a mesh satellite network management tool that allowed operators to see how data propagated through a constellation of satellites.
MY ROLE
THE TEAM
TIMELINE
Vision and strategy, Principal UX/UI Design
1 designer, 1 ux writer, 1 product managers and 2 engineers.
Jan 2023— Feb 2024
Discovery
Identifying our user(s) and their challenges
Our team identified our target user, namely satellite operators tasked with planning and managing a constellation of satellites with SpiderOak secure platform under the hood.
I want to see data move around the globe, not just stare at a terminal window.
Leveraging research and interviews, I collaborated with the CTO/product owner to establish a simple criteria for the new interface design...
Design solution
The final design incorporated several key UI elements that address specific challenges for satellite network operators users:
📈 Showing data moving across the network...
Designed visual elements to indicate transmission of data from sat to sat.
I also designed custom iconography for planning and simulation tools in the app.
🛰️ A Dynamic UI to show grouping of space vehicles as they sync...
Satellites move dynamically between color-coded cards as they sync with one another.
Designed vibrant card UI that is accessible even on the dark, space themed UI
⏪ Like youtube, but for mesh-satellite networks!
We designed and tested a simple video timeline interaction that would allow our users to watch network activity history at variable speeds and even scrub through the history like a video.
Operator feedback included a need to quickly see high-transfer moments—we designed a frequency-graph UI element to indicates high-traffic moments at a glance on the timeline.
Final build showing commands sent from ground station to the satellite network