L.A. WORRELL
I began my IAESTE work placement at the Institute of 4D Technologies, a multidisciplinary research institution that is part of the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW). I worked within the Design & Technology team, collaborating with experts from computer science, civil engineering, process management, architecture, mathematics, and physics. Together, we supported client projects that leveraged the skills of students from various creative and technical programs. After the initial student work, we often had the opportunity to continue developing the projects further.
Client:
AXPO via Institute for Data Sciences FHNW
My Role:
UX Design & Research Assistant
Year:
2014
Service Provided:
UX/UI Design, User Research, User Tests with Eye Tracking Software
The Problem
Managing wind turbine operations across multiple sites was a challenge due to data fragmentation, lack of standardized structures, and delayed identification of potential failures. Operators needed a centralized tool to monitor turbine status, assess site availability, and identify risks before part failures occurred.
The Solution
I designed a mobile-only application that centralized all wind turbine data, incorporating a standard database structure for seamless analysis. The app provided real-time monitoring at portfolio, site, and individual turbine levels, offering insights into main operational figures for predefined time frames. I conducted user testing with eye-tracking software to optimize usability and ensure the interface met user needs. The tool empowered operators with early warnings for potential failures, improving efficiency and reducing downtime. It was a huge success within AXPO and an incredible deep dive in solving complex problems, which set the tone for my career from the very beginning.
