Iter8: iSearch
Project Length: 10 weeks
Roles: UX/UI Designer
Tools: Figma
Overview
Iter8 is a local startup developing a centralized digital platform for search and rescue (SAR) teams. The goal was to redesign their website to simplify navigation, improve information hierarchy, and make critical documentation more accessible in time-sensitive situations.
Challenge
SAR teams rely on numerous paper forms stored across various systems, leading to inefficiencies and delays during active missions. The existing website lacked structure, making it difficult to locate or complete key forms quickly.
Research and Insights
Through interviews with SAR professionals, I identified major pain points including time-consuming data entry, inconsistent record organization, and difficulty finding relevant case details under pressure. Market analysis revealed no comprehensive digital tool that integrated all aspects of the SAR process — highlighting Iter8’s unique potential.
User Flow
Given the high volume of critical case documentation and the urgency of search and rescue, we focused on creating a streamlined user flow. We mapped the user journey to make information intuitive and easy to access, organizing content from the original website into clearly defined sections under relevant tabs.
Design Process
The website was designed to be both functional and visually clear. We used muted primary colors with bold red accents for alerts, and applied the same thoughtful hierarchy to fonts and components. This made the site easy to scan and navigate, ensuring critical information about missing persons cases stood out without overwhelming the user.
For the dashboard redesign, I prioritized enlarging the map, as our research showed that key information often centered around location. I made the map interactive, displaying clues and the missing person’s last known location, and redesigned the left-hand menu with tabs to reduce cognitive load, allowing users to quickly access critical case information.
Solution
I restructured the site’s information architecture to align with the SAR workflow, organizing forms and resources by case stage. The redesigned interface introduced clear navigation, collapsible content sections, and consistent visual hierarchy to reduce cognitive load while maintaining quick access to critical data.
Impact
The redesign streamlined the process of locating and completing forms, reducing user confusion and supporting faster, more organized data input during emergencies. The prototype established a scalable framework for future digital transformation within SAR operations.
