One weather report across all platforms
One weather report across all platforms
One weather report across all platforms
Overview
What is BBC Weather?
Rain or shine, BBC Weather ensures users are prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store. From local forecasts to international updates, the weather’s accessible anytime, anywhere.
Project at a glance
Launch of new native apps for both iOS and Android devices, plus responsive web solutions.
My role
The UX, design & testing of the core product
Feature definition & strategy with stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement
Collaboration with external providers
Direction on Weather Watchers & BAU projects
Impact
Tablet apps achieved over 5 million downloads in 2 months and peaked at over 10 million downloads
The responsive web version saw a 25% increase in mobile users after the beta launch
The app received high accessibility ratings and record-breaking appreciation scores
Recognised with Webby Honoree award
Overview
What is BBC Weather?
Rain or shine, BBC Weather ensures users are prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store. From local forecasts to international updates, the weather’s accessible anytime, anywhere.
Project at a glance
Launch of new native apps for both iOS and Android devices, plus responsive web solutions.
My role
The UX, design & testing of the core product
Feature definition & strategy with stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement
Collaboration with external providers
Direction on Weather Watchers & BAU projects
Impact
Tablet apps achieved over 5 million downloads in 2 months and peaked at over 10 million downloads
The responsive web version saw a 25% increase in mobile users after the beta launch
The app received high accessibility ratings and record-breaking appreciation scores
Recognised with Webby Honoree award
Overview
What is BBC Weather?
Rain or shine, BBC Weather ensures users are prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store. From local forecasts to international updates, the weather’s accessible anytime, anywhere.
Project at a glance
Launch of new native apps for both iOS and Android devices, plus responsive web solutions.
My role
The UX, design & testing of the core product
Feature definition & strategy with stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement
Collaboration with external providers
Direction on Weather Watchers & BAU projects
Impact
Tablet apps achieved over 5 million downloads in 2 months and peaked at over 10 million downloads
The responsive web version saw a 25% increase in mobile users after the beta launch
The app received high accessibility ratings and record-breaking appreciation scores
Recognised with Webby Honoree award
Challenge
Deliver a cohesive user experience across all platforms.
For the user, the focus was on accuracy, ease of use, clarity, and speed of use. For the business, the objective was to deliver at pace.
Challenge
Deliver a cohesive user experience across all platforms.
For the user, the focus was on accuracy, ease of use, clarity, and speed of use. For the business, the objective was to deliver at pace.
Challenge
Deliver a cohesive user experience across all platforms.
For the user, the focus was on accuracy, ease of use, clarity, and speed of use. For the business, the objective was to deliver at pace.
Approach
Prioritising scalable design, I delivered cross-device apps (supporting 1000+ Android devices) and a mobile-first responsive web, enabling rapid feature rollouts and consistent user experience.
I collaborated with the broadcast designers to understand the platform requirements, and with the meteorologists to understand the complexities of the data. To deliver at pace, I utilised Guerilla usability testing, metrics and verbatims to inform decision-making. To steer our future roadmap and stay in sync with changing user behaviour and needs, I commissioned formative research.
On the iOS app, I exposed the hourly forecast data in both portrait and landscape orientation. Data confirmed that this was the most commonly used feature by our users.
Approach
Prioritising scalable design, I delivered cross-device apps (supporting 1000+ Android devices) and a mobile-first responsive web, enabling rapid feature rollouts and consistent user experience.
I collaborated with the broadcast designers to understand the platform requirements, and with the meteorologists to understand the complexities of the data. To deliver at pace, I utilised Guerilla usability testing, metrics and verbatims to inform decision-making. To steer our future roadmap and stay in sync with changing user behaviour and needs, I commissioned formative research.
On the iOS app, I exposed the hourly forecast data in both portrait and landscape orientation. Data confirmed that this was the most commonly used feature by our users.
Approach
Prioritising scalable design, I delivered cross-device apps (supporting 1000+ Android devices) and a mobile-first responsive web, enabling rapid feature rollouts and consistent user experience.
I collaborated with the broadcast designers to understand the platform requirements, and with the meteorologists to understand the complexities of the data. To deliver at pace, I utilised Guerilla usability testing, metrics and verbatims to inform decision-making. To steer our future roadmap and stay in sync with changing user behaviour and needs, I commissioned formative research.
On the iOS app, I exposed the hourly forecast data in both portrait and landscape orientation. Data confirmed that this was the most commonly used feature by our users.
Output
Streamlined app design delivered on every screen.
The app launched on both iOS and Android devices, optimised for mobile and tablets. Leveraging a scalable design solution, its reach extended to Android-based Amazon Kindle devices. A simplified visual design, complemented by bold typography, facilitated efficient information processing and download speeds. Immersive ambiances elevate the overall user experience.
Major launches included, android home-screen widgets, extended 10-day forecasting, location-based features, weather warnings and wind gusts data. All delivered with meticulous design specifications to uphold a standard of excellence and ensure overall quality.
Output
Streamlined app design delivered on every screen.
The app launched on both iOS and Android devices, optimised for mobile and tablets. Leveraging a scalable design solution, its reach extended to Android-based Amazon Kindle devices. A simplified visual design, complemented by bold typography, facilitated efficient information processing and download speeds. Immersive ambiances elevate the overall user experience.
Major launches included, android home-screen widgets, extended 10-day forecasting, location-based features, weather warnings and wind gusts data. All delivered with meticulous design specifications to uphold a standard of excellence and ensure overall quality.
Output
Streamlined app design delivered on every screen.
The app launched on both iOS and Android devices, optimised for mobile and tablets. Leveraging a scalable design solution, its reach extended to Android-based Amazon Kindle devices. A simplified visual design, complemented by bold typography, facilitated efficient information processing and download speeds. Immersive ambiances elevate the overall user experience.
Major launches included, android home-screen widgets, extended 10-day forecasting, location-based features, weather warnings and wind gusts data. All delivered with meticulous design specifications to uphold a standard of excellence and ensure overall quality.
Core features launched on both native apps
New ambiences on iPad
Designed for screens starting at 320dp and devices 433dp wide
Feature phone & smartphone solutions
Weather ambiences used on both iOS & Android apps
Exploration of wind gust iconography for app, responsive and on air experiences
Outcome
Downloads surged as users flocked for forecasts ahead of major events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon, and the British Grand Prix.
The tablet apps alone achieved more than 5 million downloads in just two months after launching on both platforms and at its peak reached over 10 million downloads.
Additionally, the responsive web version experienced a 25% increase in users accessing the weather via mobile phones immediately after the launch of the MVP.
These achievements were accompanied by high accessibility ratings, record-breaking appreciation scores (NPS), and the prestigious recognition of being awarded a Webby Honoree.
Outcome
Downloads surged as users flocked for forecasts ahead of major events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon, and the British Grand Prix.
The tablet apps alone achieved more than 5 million downloads in just two months after launching on both platforms and at its peak reached over 10 million downloads.
Additionally, the responsive web version experienced a 25% increase in users accessing the weather via mobile phones immediately after the launch of the MVP.
These achievements were accompanied by high accessibility ratings, record-breaking appreciation scores (NPS), and the prestigious recognition of being awarded a Webby Honoree.
Outcome
Downloads surged as users flocked for forecasts ahead of major events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon, and the British Grand Prix.
The tablet apps alone achieved more than 5 million downloads in just two months after launching on both platforms and at its peak reached over 10 million downloads.
Additionally, the responsive web version experienced a 25% increase in users accessing the weather via mobile phones immediately after the launch of the MVP.
These achievements were accompanied by high accessibility ratings, record-breaking appreciation scores (NPS), and the prestigious recognition of being awarded a Webby Honoree.
Reflections
Building cohesive teams: rituals, roles, and results.
On this portfolio of work, I dived back into hands-on app design. I quickly got to grips with the platform specifics and learned valuable insights from collaborating with engineering specialists.
Our team was cohesive, with a shared understanding of our aims and objectives. The harmonious workflow resulted from established rituals, clear delineation of individual roles, and regular collaborative discussions.
As a Design Lead, I rotated to a new product team every two years. Bidding farewell to this project and team proved a bittersweet experience for me.
Reflections
Building cohesive teams: rituals, roles, and results.
On this portfolio of work, I dived back into hands-on app design. I quickly got to grips with the platform specifics and learned valuable insights from collaborating with engineering specialists.
Our team was cohesive, with a shared understanding of our aims and objectives. The harmonious workflow resulted from established rituals, clear delineation of individual roles, and regular collaborative discussions.
As a Design Lead, I rotated to a new product team every two years. Bidding farewell to this project and team proved a bittersweet experience for me.
Reflections
Building cohesive teams: rituals, roles, and results.
On this portfolio of work, I dived back into hands-on app design. I quickly got to grips with the platform specifics and learned valuable insights from collaborating with engineering specialists.
Our team was cohesive, with a shared understanding of our aims and objectives. The harmonious workflow resulted from established rituals, clear delineation of individual roles, and regular collaborative discussions.
As a Design Lead, I rotated to a new product team every two years. Bidding farewell to this project and team proved a bittersweet experience for me.
Credits
Julian Kirby, Senior Designer - Weather ambiences and maps
Credits
Julian Kirby, Senior Designer - Weather ambiences and maps
Credits
Julian Kirby, Senior Designer - Weather ambiences and maps