Designing for the Deep Blue

Peeling Back the Curtain on Our Slightly Offbeat, Deeply Curious UX Researcher Minds

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Originally published on Medium: https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/designing-for-the-deep-blue-b2ffeed6d952

Dare to design a captivating website without the crutches of the internet, cloud, or A/B testing? It’s akin to sailing tumultuous seas with a broken compass — you might be lost, but the journey is riveting.

If you are curious about my adventures amidst the naval waves or the confidential undertakings at WESEE, sorry the Navy’s definition of open-source is as constricted as a well-tied sailor’s knot. In fact, WESEE’s existence remained hushed until July, and even that was a mere whisper to the public.

Military and Navy are often associated with cutting-edge technology (drones, stealth tech, you get the gist), but when it comes to design, it’s a whole different fleet. Remember the military-grade precision? Well, it’s not just about marching or parade drills; it applies to the very core of design.

A Regimented Routine

In the Navy, if you’re on time, you’re late. Break times? They run like clockwork. It’s a real-world Pomodoro technique that surprisingly works. Once you sync up with the Navy’s clockwork routine, something magical happens. You start appreciating this newfound rhythm in life.

Phones, those delightful distractions are a big no-no during work hours. At first, it’s like stepping into a time machine — no constant pings or social media buzzes. Just you, your thoughts, and the task at hand. Surprisingly refreshing!

Inspiration without Influences

Ever grumbled about that café’s dismal Wi-Fi? Or mourned a design lost to a capricious cloud? Those are mere trifles. Security extends beyond complex passwords — it’s a total disconnect. Security here isn’t about crafting the most uncrackable password. It’s about unplugging — literally. Forget flash drives; they’re borderline illicit. The Navy’s take on data protection is like a digital detox program, albeit one you didn’t sign up for. Your tools? Offline software with no backups or the latest design industry updates.

I found myself downloading exactly 47 mp3 tracks I seem to have memorised now — just for some ambient background tunes.

Brainpower over Bandwidth

While the average designer floats in the endless ocean of online muses, surfing from Dribbble shots to Instagram aesthetics, our brigade was deep-diving in the Matrix. Our “surfing” was downloading entire web pages of research articles as PDFs, followed by cloak-and-dagger LAN transfers, making every byte of inspiration count.

No reloading. No trend updates. No endless scrolling, no distractions. Just pure, unadulterated design focus. We were like digital castaways on a pixelated island.

Consistency is a Craft

With everything offline and file handoffs more like a game of digital pass-the-parcel over our LAN server, things were bound to go awry. Files would morph with each edit, sometimes making their way back to us barely recognisable from their original form.

To ensure all the files confirmed to design system standards, we implemented a series of meticulous checks. From ensuring the colors are just right, to verifying the textures and icons, from double-checking the sizes to studying the button states, and meticulously organising layers and their names. This helped us avoid any hiccups when the designs transition from our screens to the hands of the developers. It’s not about aesthetics; it’s about precision, consistency, and making sure everything clicks together seamlessly.

Detail is in the DNA

We penned epics, chronicling every design choice. From the majestic curvature of a chip to the humble aura of a button, everything was etched in ink. These documents are crucial for interdisciplinary collaboration. As designs are handed over to engineers and other stakeholders, the documentation ensures clarity, reducing ambiguities and potential errors. These documents act as training materials for fresh recruits.

A standout feature of our documentation is the System Requirement Specifications (SyRS). While most designers might rely on rough sketches or notes, we delve deeper. SyRSs detail the functionalities, performance standards, and constraints the system must adhere to. They act as a bridge between the abstract world of design intentions and the tangible realm of engineering implementation.

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Designing things @ WESEE

In the realm of naval design at WESEE, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Unlike the more forgiving domains of retail or digital services, here, every design decision can tip the balance between safety and disaster. For instance, a slight misinterpretation of a user interface aboard a ship can lead to catastrophic outcomes, akin to the chilling incidents of HMS Sheffield and HNoMS Helge Ingstad.

In naval UX, every design decision, every interface element, matters profoundly. A misinterpretation or a delayed response can mean the difference between a safe crew and a national tragedy. Designs gone bad here can lead to the loss of humans and equipment.

Dark Mode and Red Lights

In the Navy’s realm, dark mode transcends aesthetic choice; it’s a vital necessity. Picture designing for displays that would be scrutinised under the blood-red gleam of the ship’s control rooms- the faint, eerie glow of red lights in an operating room deep within the belly of a ship.

Every shade undergoes rigorous testing under this subdued light, turning colour theory into a puzzle. This necessity stems from the dark conditions of operating rooms at sea, demanding a user interface that’s both practical and strain-reducing for the eyes.

Designing at Tandem

Designing for the Navy is about intricate collaboration, far removed from commercial personas. Take, for instance, the handoff from a UAV launch crew on a ship’s deck to a supervisor in the command centre. This operation requires precise interaction with combat systems across different stations, demanding flawless coordination. No room for error, no space for ambiguities.

Exclusivity of Nautical Nuances

Naval design caters to a niche, highly trained audience. It’s a world where ease of learning takes a backseat to operational excellence. Training might be longer, but the end goal is a faster, sharper crew.

Accessibility is a cherished principle in the broader design spectrum. However, in the naval realm, its definition pivots. Naval personnel can’t afford color blindness; specific shades, especially red and green, play pivotal roles in user interfaces, signaling critical data. Accommodations for color blindness aren’t feasible due to these stringent color standards. And while inclusivity is laudable, naval equipment predominantly favors right-handed users, reflecting the majority. Left-handers adapt and overcome, a testament to their resilience within this unique design landscape.

Heavy-Duty Designs

In the global design milieu, discussions often revolve around mobile responsiveness. But within naval confines, the conversation shifts to combat readiness. Envision crafting for touchscreens meant to be navigated by hands donned in heavy-duty gloves. Popular features like slide-to-unlock? They’re rendered virtually unusable.

Continuous screen engagement without fatigue is paramount, as situational awareness is non-negotiable. The operators are in confined spaces leading to tiring postures, eyes weary from constant screen time, and bodies tired from long shifts. It’s not just physical; the mental load is intense. Crew members juggle complex systems and an onslaught of data, all while the ship rocks and rattles, making every tap on a screen a test of balance and precision.

Silent Designs in Turbulent Seas

In loud environments, auditory feedback (like alerts or notifications) can be easily drowned out. Designers need to emphasize visual or haptic feedback mechanisms or create auditory signals that stand out in the typical noise spectrum of a naval vessel.

While the world is swooning over parallax designs and fancy hover effects, our designs have to be as still as a pond on a windless day. Not on a jittery ship where even the sturdiest sailors are trying not to hurl their lunch. Clean, static designs. After all, amidst tumultuous waves, stability is key.

Designing for the Navy might seem like a time warp, but it’s a lesson in resilience, innovation, and, dare I say, old-school cool. It’s not about having the latest tech but making the best of what you’ve got. But you know, despite the challenges, there’s something exhilarating about designing for the Navy. It reminds you of the core principles of design — functionality, clarity, and efficiency. No frills, no fluff.

When everyone is rowing against the same tide of challenges, a bond forms. We celebrate small victories — like successfully transferring a file without a hitch or discovering a design workaround that bypasses a pesky constraint.

Here’s to taking the plunge, and making designs sea-worthy!

Ps. I am not at freedom to share my designs under Official Secrets Act, and will elaborate on my project constraints and research in another article.