OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE COLLAB STUDIO : INTERFACE DESIGN

During this studio we worked with organizations around the world that are funded by the Open Society Institute. We helped redesign interfaces to open-source technology systems that are being used to assist Chinese citizens explore the internet (Psiphon) and build a database with translations of all the world's languages for use in other online systems (Pootle/Wordforge).

Psiphon is a server that can run on a home computer and allow other people access to the computer to share the internet connection and surf the web. This is useful for people that are stuck behind national firewalls or are otherwise censored from internet content. Their original interface was not user-friendly, so we conceptualized a new interface oriented around the geographical location of the server users.

Original Psiphon InterfaceOringal Psiphon Interface

Redesigned Psiphon interface opening page.Redesigned Psiphon interface opening page.

Redesigned Psiphon interface - user listRedesigned Psiphon interface - user list

Redesigned Psiphon interface - Checking a userRedesigned Psiphon interface - Checking a user

For the Pootle/Wordforge project, we needed to research the workflow of the actual translators for the system. We designed an interface that helped them visualize the complex system of checking and rechecking required for accurate translations.

Wordforge workflow sketch.Wordforge workflow sketch.

Redesign of translation workflowRedesign of translation workflow

Original Wordforge InterfaceOriginal Wordforge Interface

Sketching Interface ideasSketching Interface ideas

Wireframing the layout ideas.Wireframing the layout ideas.

Wordforge redesign first iteration.Wordforge redesign first iteration.

Wordforge final interface designWordforge final interface design