Urban Alert
Urban Alert
Crowdsourced civic app for reporting and resolving everyday infrastructure issues.
Crowdsourced civic app for reporting and resolving everyday infrastructure issues.
Role
Role
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
Timeline
Timeline
Aug 2023 - Nov 2023
Aug 2023 - Nov 2023
Project Type
Project Type
Team Project (3)
Team Project (3)
Tools/Skills
Tools/Skills
UX/UI Design, User Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Figma
UX/UI Design, User Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Figma
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
Urban Alert helps Sydney residents take part in keeping their neighbourhoods safe and well-maintained. The app simplifies reporting problems, lets people see what others have reported, and gives the community a voice in deciding which issues get fixed first.
Urban Alert helps Sydney residents take part in keeping their neighbourhoods safe and well-maintained. The app simplifies reporting problems, lets people see what others have reported, and gives the community a voice in deciding which issues get fixed first.
Context
Context
Developed in a 3-person team for the University of Sydney’s Interaction Design course, Urban Alert is a mobile and smartwatch app that streamlines reporting issues like potholes and vandalism. Designed through three iterations and two testing rounds, it builds transparency and encourages collaboration between residents and local councils.
Developed in a 3-person team for the University of Sydney’s Interaction Design course, Urban Alert is a mobile and smartwatch app that streamlines reporting issues like potholes and vandalism. Designed through three iterations and two testing rounds, it builds transparency and encourages collaboration between residents and local councils.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Transparency builds trust by showing repair progress.
Community voting and commenting empower users to shape priorities.
Early testing exposed confusing icons and navigation, which we improved.
Voice reporting on smartwatches boosted accessibility.
Smooth animations and clear buttons enhanced usability and reduced frustration.
Transparency builds trust by showing repair progress.
Community voting and commenting empower users to shape priorities.
Early testing exposed confusing icons and navigation, which we improved.
Voice reporting on smartwatches boosted accessibility.
Smooth animations and clear buttons enhanced usability and reduced frustration.
Problem Scenario
Problem Scenario
Many residents feel disconnected from authorities responsible for public spaces. Issues like potholes and broken lights often go unreported or unresolved, causing frustration and eroding trust in local councils. Our research highlighted the need for simple, accessible tools to report problems, track repairs, and foster community involvement.
Many residents feel disconnected from authorities responsible for public spaces. Issues like potholes and broken lights often go unreported or unresolved, causing frustration and eroding trust in local councils. Our research highlighted the need for simple, accessible tools to report problems, track repairs, and foster community involvement.
Research and Insights
Research and Insights
We investigated why Sydney residents feel disconnected from local infrastructure maintenance and why existing reporting systems fail to build trust and engagement.
I facilitated four focus groups with 12 participants who shared frustrations about broken facilities and lack of feedback. They strongly wanted greater transparency and community involvement.
Meanwhile, my teammates collected 48 survey responses on reporting habits and council awareness, and analysed 25 public posts from Reddit and X to understand broader attitudes toward infrastructure and government responsiveness.
Using an affinity diagram, we identified key barriers and motivations that shaped our design focus on transparency, simple reporting, and rebuilding trust.
We investigated why Sydney residents feel disconnected from local infrastructure maintenance and why existing reporting systems fail to build trust and engagement.
I facilitated four focus groups with 12 participants who shared frustrations about broken facilities and lack of feedback. They strongly wanted greater transparency and community involvement.
Meanwhile, my teammates collected 48 survey responses on reporting habits and council awareness, and analysed 25 public posts from Reddit and X to understand broader attitudes toward infrastructure and government responsiveness.
Using an affinity diagram, we identified key barriers and motivations that shaped our design focus on transparency, simple reporting, and rebuilding trust.
Our research revealed three main areas of concern among Sydney residents regarding public infrastructure and community well-being.
Our research revealed three main areas of concern among Sydney residents regarding public infrastructure and community well-being.
User Persona
We synthesized our findings into a user persona to guide design decisions and empathize with Sydney residents’ needs.
We synthesized our findings into a user persona to guide design decisions and empathize with Sydney residents’ needs.
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Campus social areas are underused, limiting meaningful student interaction. Barriers like personal preferences and language differences reduce connection. Targeted incentives are needed to break these barriers and foster a vibrant, inclusive campus culture where spontaneous connections can flourish.
Campus social areas are underused, limiting meaningful student interaction. Barriers like personal preferences and language differences reduce connection. Targeted incentives are needed to break these barriers and foster a vibrant, inclusive campus culture where spontaneous connections can flourish.
Ideation
Ideation
We sketched three concepts to boost community involvement in maintaining public spaces. Using storyboards and user journeys, we explored how people would interact with each idea and challenged assumptions for fresh perspectives. Focusing on accessibility and ease of use, we designed for both smartphones and smartwatches, resulting in a clear, user-friendly concept grounded in our research.
We sketched three concepts to boost community involvement in maintaining public spaces. Using storyboards and user journeys, we explored how people would interact with each idea and challenged assumptions for fresh perspectives. Focusing on accessibility and ease of use, we designed for both smartphones and smartwatches, resulting in a clear, user-friendly concept grounded in our research.
To address community dissatisfaction with Sydney’s social infrastructure, we used decision matrices and user journey mapping to identify key opportunities for social interaction. Collaboratively, we merged three initial concepts into a unified design that supports multi-device interaction, collaboration, and communication, delivering a user-centered solution aligned with our research goals.
To address community dissatisfaction with Sydney’s social infrastructure, we used decision matrices and user journey mapping to identify key opportunities for social interaction. Collaboratively, we merged three initial concepts into a unified design that supports multi-device interaction, collaboration, and communication, delivering a user-centered solution aligned with our research goals.
Prototyping
Prototyping
Wireframe
Wireframe
We began by sketching our refined concept and created wireframes for seven core tasks: five for mobile and two for Apple Watch. I was responsible for designing the map navigation feature on both platforms, as well as the search and filtering system
We began by sketching our refined concept and created wireframes for seven core tasks: five for mobile and two for Apple Watch. I was responsible for designing the map navigation feature on both platforms, as well as the search and filtering system
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
We conducted both user and expert testing to evaluate the app’s usability. Twelve participants completed key tasks using the think-aloud method, sharing real-time feedback that revealed confusing or difficult interface areas.
Simultaneously, experts performed cognitive walkthroughs of the wireframes to identify usability and accessibility issues. We compiled all feedback into a severity chart to prioritise fixes.
We conducted both user and expert testing to evaluate the app’s usability. Twelve participants completed key tasks using the think-aloud method, sharing real-time feedback that revealed confusing or difficult interface areas.
Simultaneously, experts performed cognitive walkthroughs of the wireframes to identify usability and accessibility issues. We compiled all feedback into a severity chart to prioritise fixes.
Key observations included:
Key observations included:
“My Reports” and “View All” tabs needed clearer visual distinction
Dates should be added to reports for easier identification
Capitalization of titles and buttons required consistency
“Edit” functionality needed clearer labels and previews
Tooltips or hints were necessary to improve user understanding
“My Reports” and “View All” tabs needed clearer visual distinction
Dates should be added to reports for easier identification
Capitalization of titles and buttons required consistency
“Edit” functionality needed clearer labels and previews
Tooltips or hints were necessary to improve user understanding
Mid-fidelity Prototype
Mid-fidelity Prototype
Incorporating usability testing insights, we developed a mid-fidelity prototype that better met key goals: effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, utility, memorability, and safety.
We enhanced the experience by adding intuitive safety features and refining visual details like text size and button dimensions. These improvements polished the interface and made it easier to use, delivering a smoother user experience.
Incorporating usability testing insights, we developed a mid-fidelity prototype that better met key goals: effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, utility, memorability, and safety.
We enhanced the experience by adding intuitive safety features and refining visual details like text size and button dimensions. These improvements polished the interface and made it easier to use, delivering a smoother user experience.
Final Usability Testing
Final Usability Testing
Expert Testing
Expert Testing
Six experts evaluated the prototype using Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics. Their feedback highlighted issues with system status visibility, real-world alignment, user control, and design consistency. For example, the Home button appeared clickable even on the home screen, and the plus button was misunderstood as adding new incidents rather than editing.
We prioritised fixes based on severity and organised feedback into positive, negative, and neutral themes using an affinity diagram, guiding our next steps.
Six experts evaluated the prototype using Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics. Their feedback highlighted issues with system status visibility, real-world alignment, user control, and design consistency. For example, the Home button appeared clickable even on the home screen, and the plus button was misunderstood as adding new incidents rather than editing.
We prioritised fixes based on severity and organised feedback into positive, negative, and neutral themes using an affinity diagram, guiding our next steps.
User Testing
User Testing
Simultaneously, 12 users completed core tasks in think-aloud sessions, sharing their frustrations and insights. Feedback was analysed against usability goals such as learnability, efficiency, and memorability.
An affinity diagram revealed that users found the prototype easy to learn and navigate, though efficiency suffered due to awkward animations and occasional glitches. Common issues included unclear labels, confusing navigation, and poorly distinguished tabs like “My Reports” and “View All.” Users also requested dates on reports and clearer button labels with tooltips.
In response, we refined transitions, fixed animations, improved navigation buttons, redesigned sorting features, and enhanced interactive elements like likable comments and helpful tooltips. These improvements resulted in a polished high-fidelity prototype focused on effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, memorability, utility, and safety.
Simultaneously, 12 users completed core tasks in think-aloud sessions, sharing their frustrations and insights. Feedback was analysed against usability goals such as learnability, efficiency, and memorability.
An affinity diagram revealed that users found the prototype easy to learn and navigate, though efficiency suffered due to awkward animations and occasional glitches. Common issues included unclear labels, confusing navigation, and poorly distinguished tabs like “My Reports” and “View All.” Users also requested dates on reports and clearer button labels with tooltips.
In response, we refined transitions, fixed animations, improved navigation buttons, redesigned sorting features, and enhanced interactive elements like likable comments and helpful tooltips. These improvements resulted in a polished high-fidelity prototype focused on effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, memorability, utility, and safety.
High Fidelity Protoype
High Fidelity Protoype
Informed by expert and user feedback, we refined the prototype to improve usability, clarity, and interaction flow. I led enhancements on key features like navigation and report interactions, while the team polished animations and layout consistency. To showcase the app, we created a short promotional video highlighting its main features and how it empowers users to report and track infrastructure issues.
Informed by expert and user feedback, we refined the prototype to improve usability, clarity, and interaction flow. I led enhancements on key features like navigation and report interactions, while the team polished animations and layout consistency. To showcase the app, we created a short promotional video highlighting its main features and how it empowers users to report and track infrastructure issues.
Promotional Video
Promotional Video
Reflection
Reflection
Our focus on crowdsourcing Sydney’s public facilities provided strong research insights through focus groups, surveys, and online analysis. Initially, we struggled to clearly communicate these findings but improved by directly linking them to our design decisions.
Ideation progressed smoothly with shared goals, and sketching helped us explore ideas rapidly. While wireframes were delivered on time, the layout could have been stronger. Early cognitive walkthroughs were rushed and online, limiting depth of feedback.
Expert testing was more structured and provided clearer guidance. After user testing, we refined the high-fidelity mockups but found animations and transitions needed further polish.
Throughout, our team communicated effectively, shared tasks fairly, and stayed on schedule despite time pressures and challenges in recruiting participants.
Our focus on crowdsourcing Sydney’s public facilities provided strong research insights through focus groups, surveys, and online analysis. Initially, we struggled to clearly communicate these findings but improved by directly linking them to our design decisions.
Ideation progressed smoothly with shared goals, and sketching helped us explore ideas rapidly. While wireframes were delivered on time, the layout could have been stronger. Early cognitive walkthroughs were rushed and online, limiting depth of feedback.
Expert testing was more structured and provided clearer guidance. After user testing, we refined the high-fidelity mockups but found animations and transitions needed further polish.
Throughout, our team communicated effectively, shared tasks fairly, and stayed on schedule despite time pressures and challenges in recruiting participants.
Conclusion
Conclusion
This project reinforced the value of research-driven design, teamwork, and iterative feedback. When early stages didn’t go perfectly, we adapted our approach and improved communication. Each testing round revealed issues that we addressed, resulting in a more usable final prototype.
Despite challenges like tight timelines and remote sessions, we built problem-solving skills and delivered a solution addressing a real community need, growing as designers capable of managing a project end-to-end.
This project reinforced the value of research-driven design, teamwork, and iterative feedback. When early stages didn’t go perfectly, we adapted our approach and improved communication. Each testing round revealed issues that we addressed, resulting in a more usable final prototype.
Despite challenges like tight timelines and remote sessions, we built problem-solving skills and delivered a solution addressing a real community need, growing as designers capable of managing a project end-to-end.
Other Works
Other Works
Other Works
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A UX research project uncovering how subtle task traits influence productivity.
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Thanks for stopping by
Got a question or want to say hi? Feel free to grab my contact info and reach out!
Kyaw Nyi Nyi © 2025
Thanks for stopping by
Got a question or want to say hi? Feel free to grab my contact info and reach out!
Kyaw Nyi Nyi © 2025
Thanks for stopping by
Got a question or want to say hi? Feel free to grab my contact info and reach out!
Kyaw Nyi Nyi © 2025