Web
Design System
2023
My role
Product Designer, UI/UX e UX Research
Company
Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba
Duração
1 year and 6 months
Team
Bruno Lara, Carla Flores, Eunice Liu, Keiko Ono Fonseca e Nádia Puchalski
Redesign of Curitiba's Open Data Portal to facilitate public access.
WHAT I DID
In this project, I was responsible for all the stages. In the research stage, I was mentored by Professors Eunice, Nadia and Keiko. In the following stages, I worked together with Bruno, Carla and Euziane.
CHALLENGE
Problem
The current Open Data Portal in Curitiba does not meet the minimum e-MAG accessibility requirements. It also has a limited search system that makes it hard to access the databases. These conditions cause the lack of citizen participation in the tool. This lack reduces the display of the data.
Solution
We are developing Curitiba's Open Data Portal. It will let everyone access, understand, and re-use the information. So they can use it without major operational issues. We also want to keep the system running for the long term.
PROJECT SCOPE
The project uses Human Centered Design methodology for its execution and was divided into three stages:
1
Discovery
research
user interview
benchmarking
problem finding
2
Ideation
features
userflow
wireframe
3
Develop
design system
prototype
RESEARCH
There isn't much reference material on how Open Data Portals are organized and what are the minimum requirements. I used the e-Government accessibility model (e-MAG) for study. I also used the W3C accessibility guidelines. And used the Federal Government's Technical Guidelines for Publishing Open Data in Brazil.
Benchmarking
I conducted an exploratory analysis of the Brazilian and global open data landscape. I focused in analyzing public access to government information, as well as the technical functionalities of the portals.
Data collected in the analysis of 30 open data portals
of the portals use a third-party data management system service.
Main tools used for data visualization, such as graphs and tables.
of the portals had no area for collecting feedback from citizens on how open data was being used.
At this stage, I also concluded that the majority of Open Data Portals follow the same logic of functionalities. Despite the fact that there is no regulation for the standardization of portals.
User interview
In redesigning Curitiba's Open Data Portal, I considered its purpose as a government platform. I did this to ensure access for all citizens. I chose a strategy that involves identifying groups with similar characteristics in order to understand their needs.
RESEARCH GROUPS
Experts
People who demonstrate expertise in the use of open data. Ex: academics, database developers, journalists and government agencies.
General population
The quantitative research was addressed to anyone who had already accessed the Curitiba's Open Data Portal and did not fit into the specialist category.
1. Experts
To understand the group of experts, I talked to other government bodies. They also work with the publication of open data.
This phase was crucial for identifying the data collection methods for PDAs and understanding the process of reading and using open data.
Meeting with the team responsible for SEDU/PARANACIDADE Interativo (Paraná's interactive open data map). Report:
https://www.paranacidade.org.br/modules/noticias/article.php?storyid=11915
1. General population
I used the municipal doubts channel as a reference. The information was collected from 2020 to 2022, since Curitiba's PDA was not updated during this period.
Data from 150 population reports collected
81%
of the messages received are not answered.
56%
of the messages are not related to open data.
Classification of all the messages analyzed into categories, considering the content and nature of each one.
CONCLUSIONS
Create management area
All the information on Curitiba's Open Data Portal is checked and updated manually. This makes it difficult to monitor the quality of open data and slows down citizen contact with City Hall.
Expand data search
The search system is based only on the name of the database. It is necessary to extend the search with categories, tags and metadata.
Lack of standardized data
The data displayed on the Portal does not pass a quality check. Several databases have outdated metadata and incomplete data. The databases need to be hygienized.
Improving the support channel
Most of the information on the Portal's support channel concerns matters related to other municipal bodies. It is necessary to instruct citizens on the best way to get in contact to answer their questions.
FEATURES
Based on the research, I put together a selection of features that are essential to the proper functioning of Curitiba's PDA. We used Material Design as a reference, as the research also identified the predominance of Android users.
USERFLOW
As identified in the discovery stage, Curitiba's Open Data Portal needed a management area. It therefore separated the Open Data Porta into two interconnected platforms:
PUBLIC
Free access to the general public
*For privacy and security reasons, it is not possible to present all the features of the Administrative area.
DESIGN SYSTEM
Typography
Colors
Grids
Elements
PROTOTYPE
This version was presented as a proposal to the Curitiba City Council.
Data visualization
The platform displays all the essential information for citizens when searching for databases, such as: access feedback, types of files available, additional resources, among others.
Search for data
I used visual resources, such as graphics and signpost icons, to communicate with the public, in order to make the interface more inviting.
Support channel
Area for citizens to report doubts and request adjustments to data sets.
To avoid possible misunderstandings, a guided flow has been designed with information along the way.
Responsive interface
The interface has been designed to support all screen sizes, taking into account widespread use by citizens.
