03 / Postgraduate project
Merlin Bird Identification
An experience redesign exploring simpler navigation, local discovery and a more connected birdwatching journey.
- Context
- Royal College of Art · Academic collaboration with Cornell Lab
- Discipline
- Product & Interaction Design
- My contribution
- All UI design and interactive prototypes; user research
- Output
- Navigation redesign, discovery maps, interactive prototype
01 / The challenge
Make the first sighting easier to navigate.
For new birdwatchers, a complex interface and unfamiliar terminology can create friction before they begin to explore. The project examined how Merlin could connect bird identification with the next useful action.
The redesign moves beyond recognising a bird to support discovery nearby, clearer information and participation in a wider birdwatching community.
02 / Research
Look for friction in real birdwatching contexts.
The research combined 200+ online user reviews, 15 user interviews and competitor experience analysis. Core scenarios and experience gaps informed the information architecture and interface flows.
An offline birdwatching activity involved more than 20 participants, providing a setting to explore the concept and gather directions for further iteration.
03 / Design decisions
Less duplication. More useful discovery.
Overlapping Explore and bird-list functions were combined into a clearer navigation structure. In the redesigned prototype, a key task flow was reduced from seven steps to four.
Identification results were reorganised around an image and key information, rather than a dense block of text. Rarity markers were emphasised to support scanning, while on-site discovery maps connect nearby locations, species and practical next steps.
Project details
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04 / Outcome
A clearer path from finding to participating.
The delivered concept brings together local discovery maps, identification support, similar-species comparison and a community layer. I was responsible for the UI and interactive prototypes.
The outcome is an interactive experience prototype. The shortened task flow and the offline activity provided concrete directions for the next iteration.
Contact
Based in London, United Kingdom
Full presentation
15 pages · Original project deck
Merlin Bird Identification
Explore the complete research, development and final designs.
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