Drofika Labs

Our Journey:

Drofika Labs was an Atlanta-based startup that developed innovative data infrastructure solutions. We created a drone intelligence platform for heavy industry and a multi-region IoT platform that transformed existing computers into data centers, aiming to empower businesses and enhance data security.

Funding:

Bootstrapped until seed investment from Comcast

Location:

Atlanta, Ga
London, UK

Life time:

Oct 2015 - June 2020 

My Role

Co-Founder
Design Director

Industry

Construction Tech, IoT, Data Security, Data Analytics & Fog Computing, SaaS

Team Size:

Business Development: 3, Engineering: 6, Design: 3

Personal Contributions:

  • Heuristics Evaluation
  • Stakeholder Management
  • User Interviews
  • Affinity Mapping
  • Competitive & Comparative Analysis
  • Feature Prioritisation
  • Information Architecture
  • Site Mapping
  • User Flows
  • Usability Testing
  • Wire-framing
  • Rapid Prototyping

Problem/Goal:

Problem:

  1. Construction companies struggled with manual data collection methods for project sites, which were time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors.
  2. Traditional methods like surveying and manual photography lacked real-time insights and daily progress tracking, hindering informed decision-making.
  3. Inefficient data management made it difficult to collaborate effectively and share information across teams, leading to communication gaps and delays.
  4. Safety concerns arose with manual methods, especially when dealing with hazardous environments or hard-to-reach areas.
  5. The lack of readily available, up-to-date data hampered progress tracking, hindering proactive problem-solving and course correction.

Goal:

  1. Drofika aimed to revolutionize data collection in construction by offering a faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.
  2. We envisioned democratizing drone technology by making it accessible and user-friendly even for construction companies without prior drone expertise.
  3. Our goal was to provide real-time, actionable insights through automated drone flights and instant 2D/3D model generation.
  4. Drofika strived to enhance communication and collaboration by offering a centralized platform for data sharing and progress visualization.
  5. Ultimately, we aimed to empower construction companies to make data-driven decisions, optimize workflows, and improve project outcomes.

Design Process:

1) Research & Discovery:

  • Conduct user interviews and surveys with construction professionals.
  • Analyze competitor solutions and industry trends.
  • Define user personas and identify key pain points.

2) Information Architecture & User Flows:

  • Develop sitemaps and user flows for both web and mobile app.
  • Define the information hierarchy and content organization.
  • Design user journeys for key tasks like geofencing and progress tracking.

3) Wireframing & Prototyping:

  • Create low-fidelity wireframes to establish core functionalities.
  • Develop interactive prototypes for user testing and feedback iteration.
  • Refine user flows and information architecture based on testing insights.

4) Visual Design & Branding:

  • Establish a visual design language that aligns with the brand identity.
  • Design the user interface elements like buttons, icons, and typography.
  • Ensure a consistent and user-friendly visual experience across platforms.

5) Usability Testing & Iteration:

  1. Usability Testing & Iteration:

    • Conduct usability testing with target users to identify any usability issues.
    • Analyze user feedback and iterate on the design based on test results.
    • Continuously refine the design until it meets user needs and expectations.

Major Partnerships:

 

  1. ATT
  2. DJI
  3. Comcast
  4. PlanGrid

Key Takeaways:

As a founding designer:

  • User-centered design is crucial in a startup environment: Understanding construction professionals' needs through extensive user research (interviews, surveys) was vital to create a product that addressed their pain points and fit seamlessly into their workflow.

  • Collaboration is key to success: Working closely with both the engineering team and DJI ensured a smooth integration of the mobile app with drone functionalities, leading to a unified user experience.

  • Iteration is essential for effective design: Conducting multiple rounds of usability testing with target users allowed for continuous refinement of the web and mobile app designs, ultimately delivering a user-friendly and efficient solution.

Challenges & Solutions:

  • Balancing user needs with technical constraints: Finding the sweet spot between user needs and technical limitations was a hurdle. 
    Solution: By closely collaborating with engineers, we gained a deeper understanding of technical constraints. This allowed us to explore alternative design solutions that met user needs within feasible boundaries.

  • Designing for a complex product in a fast-paced startup: Designing for a complex product while staying adaptable to the rapid pace of a startup presented a challenge. 
    Solution: User research helped us prioritize core functionalities. We then employed iterative development to deliver a minimum viable product (MVP) quickly. Gathering user feedback on the MVP informed subsequent improvements.

  • Ensuring seamless user experience across platforms: Maintaining a consistent user experience across web and mobile platforms was crucial. Solution: We developed a consistent design language and user interface (UI) for both the web app and mobile app. This resulted in a familiar and intuitive experience for users on different devices.