L.A. WORRELL
I began my IAESTE work placement at the Institute of 4D Technologies, a multidisciplinary research institution that is part of the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW). I worked within the Design & Technology team. Together, we supported client projects that leveraged the research of students from their IT programs. After the initial student research, I would begin the UI design based on the concepts, and eventually had external development teams bring the project to life.
Client:
AXPO via Institute for Data Sciences FHNW
My Role:
UX Design & Research Assistant
Year:
2014
Service Provided:
UX/UI Design, User Research, User Tests with Eye Tracking Software
The Problem
Managing wind turbine operations across multiple sites was a challenge due to data fragmentation, lack of standardized structures, and delayed identification of potential failures. Operators needed a centralized tool to monitor turbine status, assess site availability, and identify risks before part failures occurred.
The Solution
I designed a mobile-only application that centralized all wind turbine data, incorporating a standard database structure for seamless analysis. The app provided real-time monitoring at portfolio, site, and individual turbine levels, offering insights into main operational figures for predefined time frames. I conducted user testing with eye-tracking software to optimize usability and ensure the interface met user needs. The tool empowered operators with early warnings for potential failures, improving efficiency and reducing downtime. It was a huge success within AXPO and an incredible deep dive in solving complex problems, which set the tone for my career from the very beginning.
