Biodiversity App via Citizen-Based Pollen Tracking

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
At the beginning, I didn't really know what users cared about most, because the product was still based on hypotheses. The system generates biodiversity insights from pollen data and user-recorded information, but all the calculations happen in the background and are invisible to users.
So I had to figure out two things: first, what data users actually wanted to see, and second, how to present it so they could understand what it meant and trust the results. It was also challenging to gather meaningful feedback. Fortunately, I received some useful feedback during user testing.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
One of the highlights for me was the moment when research findings started to come together. The research phase was quite long and challenging, especially when conducting competitive analysis and exploring technical feasibility. Building a mental model of how users might understand and interact with the product was a crucial part of the process. After synthesizing the research and refining assumptions, I had an aha moment: many design opportunities suddenly became much clearer, and I was able to generate a lot of ideas for how the experience could work.

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
In the next five years, I would love to see this project move beyond the concept stage and become a tool that is actively used by local councils. From my research, many existing platforms still have limitations in terms of data collection, accessibility, and public participation.
Looking further ahead, I would also like to see AI become a more integrated part of the experience. AI could help users interpret biodiversity information, answer questions, and provide contextual guidance, making the system more accessible to both citizens and council staff.
Personally, I will continue to work at the intersection of UX, service design, and AI. I would like to contribute to building more products that create that kind of impact.