Overview
BackgroundField Notes is a map-based storytelling platform for National Geographic Explorers to share updates from the field. Acquired from FOX in 2018, it was designed to amplify their work and engage the public by connecting stories to geographic locations.
Year: March 2020
Timeline: 8 Weeks
Role: Lead UX Researcher & UI Designer
Problems to SolveTechnical debt from the acquisition of the original product.
The platform used a number of FOX proprietary software, rendering existing authentication, notification and profile management unusable.
No designs or user research were provided to the team in the transfer of the product.
The GoalWhile the engineering team managed the migration of content and functionality, my role centered on leading research, user testing, and seamlessly integrating Field Notes into the Society’s design system. Today, with over 570 approved expeditions, Field Notes stands as National Geographic’s sole digital platform empowering Explorers to self-publish and share their work.
Research
With six weeks to relaunch the Field Notes app, the timeline was tight, and the need for action was immediate. National Geographic Explorers—scientists, storytellers, and researchers—were waiting to share their work with the world. The discovery phase was limited to half a sprint, and there was no existing UX documentation to build from.
To move forward effectively, I turned to the resources available: two years of interview notes and survey data I had collected from Explorers on related projects. I analyzed these insights to identify recurring themes, challenges, and opportunities that could inform the design. From this work, we identified three key goals:
Understand what Explorers need from a storytelling tool to share their work effectively.
Determine why Explorers use Field Notes and how it fits into their workflows.
Evaluate the app’s value as a platform for amplifying their stories.
This project wasn’t just about redesigning an app—it was about creating a tool that met the practical and creative needs of Explorers in the field.
Design
The goal of the design phase was to update Field Notes within the Society’s design system. However, this process also offered a chance to address key UX issues. Research revealed that many Explorers work in low-bandwidth environments and rely solely on their phones. As a result, we prioritized optimizing the mobile experience. We also improved the information architecture by introducing more descriptive content tags and refined page layouts. Accessibility was enhanced by carefully adjusting how National Geographic’s signature yellow was used throughout the interface.
Testing
After the release, I conducted a two-part usability study with 28 Explorers from the U.S. and abroad who regularly create content on Field Notes. In the first phase, we conducted task-based interviews to evaluate workflows for creating, editing, and collaborating. In the second phase, participants took part in a two-month diary study, logging entries each time they used the platform. They shared details about their activities, posting patterns, and overall impressions. The entire testing process spanned three months.
The feedback revealed a significant mismatch between the app’s business objectives and how Explorers wanted to use it.
Iteration
The pandemic has profoundly reshaped how National Geographic Explorers conduct their work—and how they tell their stories. As one Explorer noted, “Many who planned to do work that’s geographical in nature are now doing research from their home.” This unexpected shift in focus created a unique opportunity for the team to reevaluate how Field Notes could best support all forms of storytelling, whether in the field or at home.
By 2020, the team had temporarily paused the development of new storytelling features. Instead, we turned our attention to strengthening the platform's foundation, prioritizing content moderation and improving the administrator experience. This shift allowed us to address critical infrastructure needs while preparing Field Notes to meet the evolving demands of its users.