Geospatial Data Discovery

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After six months in the market, UP42’s OneMap interface had generated significant real-world usage and customer feedback. While the tool provided powerful geospatial exploration capabilities, users consistently reported issues with map visibility and layout complexity. To improve daily workflows and increase engagement, we redesigned the experience to create a cleaner, more scalable interface.

 

UP42 2024

Product Designer & Researcher

TL;DR

We redesigned OneMap to fix cramped maps and layout inconsistencies. A slide-up bottom panel replaced the fixed right panel, unlocking ~80% more map space while keeping metadata easy to reach. New reusable components and Figma foundations increased UI consistency across teams. After launch, map-usability scores rose 22% and the redesigned components were reused in multiple UP42 products.

Solution

Across a data-backed redesign effort, we synthesized customer insights, rethought the layout around a map-first experience, and rebuilt key UI components for cross-product reuse. The result was a more intuitive, spacious, and consistent version of OneMap that directly addressed pain points identified through analytics and user feedback.

Research Plan

  • Reviewed six months of customer complaints surfaced by sales and customer success teams.

  • Conducted informal interviews to understand map-visibility frustrations.

  • Analyzed panel-interaction behaviors, including collapse and resize patterns.

  • Core finding: users needed a larger, unobstructed map without losing quick access to metadata.

Research & Synthesis

  • The fixed right-side panel consumed ~30% of the interface, leaving the map uncomfortably narrow.

  • Users struggled to inspect STAC metadata while interacting with the map.

  • Inconsistencies across left-panel components made the UI difficult to scale across teams.

  • These insights shaped a map-centric redesign that emphasized simplicity and component standardization.

Design & Validation

  • Map-Centric Layout: replaced the right panel with a slide-up bottom panel, creating a rectangular map view with ~80% more usable space.

  • Metadata Access: maintained one-click access to STAC details while significantly improving spatial context.

  • Dynamic Table Columns: introduced customizable field visibility for more efficient asset browsing.

  • Reusable Components: rebuilt the left-side panel as a shared React component with consistent cards, spacing, and interactions.

  • Figma Foundations: applied auto-layout, tokens, and responsive variants tested across common desktop breakpoints.

  • User testing confirmed reduced “pinch-zoom fatigue” and smoother map interactions.

Impact

  1. 22% increase in map-usability scores (CSAT surveys).

  2. Fewer interactions required to open and manage metadata.

  3. Design scalability: the new left-panel component was adopted across three additional UP42 tools within two months.