Investigating a pollution crisis in the Lone Star State

A user-friendly website that provides comprehensive information about the current carbon dioxide emission issues in Harris County.

Role:

UX Designer

Service:

Information Design

Website Design

Duration:

2 Months

Situation

Harris County residents' health is at risk due to the high amount of CO2 emissions in the air.​

Texas’ carbon emissions—specifically those in Harris County—are the main reason America is the second-largest emitter of global greenhouse gases.

The state's economy, environment, and public health are experiencing significant problems, particularly for low-income and impoverished people.

How do we inform Harris County residents with quick and digestible information on

Informing Harris County residents about the poor air quality

Our team's task was to create a user-friendly website that provides comprehensive information about the current carbon dioxide emission issues in Harris County.

Gathering the planning the presentation of the data

After researching and compiling our sources, we organized the gathered information to present it clearly and educationally. With all the necessary data, we were able to break it down into easily understandable segments for the website. 

To gain information for this project, we read over articles, government websites, and census.

A family of three with two adults and a young girl playing and jumping in a park on a sunny day, holding hands and smiling.

Keeping residents informed

Residents who live in Harris County, future parents, current and future policymakers.

City skyline with numerous high-rise buildings, some partially obscured by haze or smog.

Steps to help stop the cycle

Raise awareness about the energy crisis and its disproportionate impact on lower-income areas by tracking carbon footprints based on socioeconomic status.

A young girl with red hair and freckles, wearing a light blue shirt with a flower pin, holds a nebulizer mask to her face, looking up with a serious expression, standing in front of a bright window.

The impact on the future

The immediate future is at risk, and people's health, economic status, and physical living conditions will all be negatively impacted.

Screenshot of a webpage section titled 'Sources & Data:' with multiple images and links related to climate change, carbon emissions, and environmental data, including maps, charts, and articles.

Bringing the concept to life

Hand-drawn wireframe design for a mobile app with multiple screens. The first screen features a menu with a red decorative image and black text. The second screen has an intro with a map and brown button. The third screen shows a home/main page with highlighted areas and icons. The fourth screen demonstrates a comparison feature with images and switches, annotated with green notes. The fifth screen is a detailed view with icons and text. A color key at the bottom explains red for decorative images, blue for first comparison, purple for second comparison, and orange for buttons. Handwritten notes describe the use of images, highlights, switches, and what various icons represent.
Four smartphones displaying an infographic about renewable energy sources in Texas with maps, labels, and eco icons.

To create a user-friendly website for affected residents, we decided to present information simply, avoiding complex language and jargon.

The Navigation Bar 

The navigation bar is placed near the bottom of the screen because that is where the thumb usually rests when using a mobile device. All the buttons in the lower navigation bar are within easy reach for both left- and right-handed users.​

Informational Lightboxes 

From the research we synthesized, we compiled a list of commonly used keywords when discussing the climate crisis in accessible language. We also created realistic examples with references that illustrate the effects of the carbon emissions crisis.

The Colors

By using the stark contrast, a clear boundary is established between the discussion of CO2 emissions and the introduction of green energy.

Four smartphones displaying environmental awareness and climate action content for Harris County, Texas, including wind turbines, city skyline, air pollution, and industrial smokestacks.
A screenshot of a virtual meeting with four women, three of whom are wearing orange shirts, and one making a playful face. The meeting interface shows chat messages about voters and future policy makers.

Potential next steps

  • Dive further into the carbon emissions impact of other countries (particularly China)

  • Provide a list of resources/action items the audience can access to promote climate change policies

  • Conduct usability testing to ensure the prototypes flow smoothly

  • Focus on accessibility features such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, and magnification

  • Get funding to further explore the issues and current life quality of people living in the area


Thank you for reading my case study!

If you want to work with me, feel free to contact me!

Email: athaliamgaston@gmail.com