Observatory for
Restoration and Reforestation
The ORR is a national platform that centralizes data on ecological restoration initiatives across Brazil. Created by the Brazilian Coalition on Climate, Forests and Agriculture, its purpose is to serve as a reliable source for national and international climate reporting.
About
Organizations involved in ecological restoration face challenges when registering and monitoring spatial information in a structured and reliable way. Manual processes, complex validations, and lack of data standardization compromise the efficiency and quality of ORR’s database, directly impacting the visualization and strategic use of this information.
To address these challenges, I conducted an initial discovery phase focused on the platform's core workflows. Based on stakeholder needs, I began redesigning the restoration area registration experience, prioritizing clarity, consistency, and usability.
The project is being developed in a continuous delivery model, with ongoing alignment with the development team and key milestone deliveries, such as those required ahead of COP30, which will take place in Brazil in 2025. This international event highlights the urgency and strategic importance of strengthening restoration monitoring systems like ORR.
TYPE OF PROJECT
Full redesign
TIMELINE
In progress
MY ROLES
Product Designer
DESIGN TOOLS
Figma, Miro
Challenges, Problems & Solutions
Manual and Time-Consuming Data Validation
The admin team had to validate each restoration record manually, navigating through multiple screens to check over 20 attribute fields and analyze spatial data. This process was inefficient, click-heavy, and prone to human error.
Solution: Create a unified interface with layered sidebars, visual tags for status, and support for bulk actions — reducing steps and improving clarity.
Overlapping Geometries and Inconsistent Spatial Data
Multiple records had overlapping, nested, or shifted geometries, which distorted area calculations and undermined data reliability. There was no structured way to track or resolve these issues within the platform.
Solution: Collaborate with the dev team to restructure the database and explore automated geometry validation alerts for common inconsistencies.
Poor Visual Support and Friction in Navigation
The original platform relied on a plain data table with minimal visual hierarchy, no spatial overview, and overloaded modals. This hindered user understanding and slowed down the review and decision-making process.
Solution: Redesign the experience using an interactive WebGIS interface, with filters, map layers, visual clustering, and contextual sidebars — bringing data and action together in one flow.
Design process
We followed a Double Diamond approach, combining it with Lean UX Canvas, Design Thinking, stakeholder workshops, heuristics analysis, and user testing. The project had a tight timeline, so we ran product and development tracks in parallel, using agile rituals and Jira boards.
1 - Kick-off & Expectation Alignment
Led the first meeting with the platform’s main users to understand the ORR’s context, pain points and redesign expectations.
We discussed key KPIs and timeline constraints to define the next steps.
Product / Visual Solutions
We shifted from a data-heavy table to a visual WebGIS interface. The new design features a satellite map, colored clusters by biome, sidebars with filters, and a fully interactive experience. Built using React + MUI, with an updated visual system prioritizing accessibility and clarity.
Complete redesign of the data view
Transformed a plain, text-based table into an interactive WebGIS experience.
Records are now displayed on a satellite map, with clusters by biome and color-coded by status.
Shifted the experience to a spatial, visually-driven interface.
Multi-functional sidebar with smart filters
Designed an expandable sidebar that controls the entire data view.
Includes attribute filters, sorting options, quick-action buttons, and status tabs.
Introduced Big Numbers to surface key metrics like hectares restored, total records, and review queue.
Card system for records + dynamic detail view
Each record is represented as a card with essential info.
On click, a second sidebar opens showing full details and available actions (approve, reject, edit, request changes).
Reduced the number of steps and centralized all decisions in a single, efficient UI.
Polygon editing tools directly on the map
Specced and designed in-map editing capabilities, such as dragging the entire polygon, adding/removing vertices.
Focused on enabling fast corrections for minor errors, without needing to export/import again.
Visual design system and reusable components
Built core UI components (buttons, inputs, modals) in Figma using the MUI library and ORR’s brand colors.eTransformed a plain, text-based table into an interactive WebGIS experience.
Selected a new typeface based on accessibility and readability.
Selected a new typeface based on accessibility and readability.
This foundation supports the visual consistency of future platform screens.
Close collaboration with development
Chose React + MUI as the tech stack in alignment with the dev team.
Delivered detailed, interactive prototypes to ensure smooth implementation.
Ensured flexibility and scalability of the design system from the start.
Closing remarks
In this final section, I share the results we've achieved so far, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and a glimpse into the next steps and long-term vision for the platform.
Results Achieved
Significant reduction in clicks and friction in the review flow.
Interactive spatial visualization using map, clusters, and status tags.
Delivery of scalable, navigable Figma components ready for implementation.
Highly positive client feedback: clarity, efficiency, and emotional connection to the interface.
Learned
Deepened knowledge in shapefile validation and spatial data visualization.
Strengthened communication with developers within agile, iterative cycles.
Strategic use of tools like WebGIS, Miro, and Figma in a complex system.
Growth in system thinking for technically robust digital products.
Next
Steps
Full redesign of the shapefile import feature, focused on automatic validation and UX improvements.
Usability testing with restoration collectives and research on dashboard needs.
User research for the public platform (students, investors, environmental managers).
Growth in system thinking for technically robust digital products.
Vision
for the
Future
Make ORR a national and international reference in ecological restoration data.
Engage users through an intuitive experience that fosters a sense of contribution.
Provide robust tools for spatial analysis and automated reporting.
Strengthen environmental data governance and support evidence-based decision-making.
My Projects
Let's Work
Let’s talk!
Got a project in mind? Or just want to say hi?
I’m always happy to connect, whether it’s for work or a good design chat.
/Information
eduardazimmer@gmail.com
Contact
+5548991199374