Reimagining a complex leak-detection platform through research-led UX, intuitive interface design and a scalable component system built for Origin's growing digital ecosystem.

client

Origin

year

'26

timeframe

12 Months

UI

UX

WEB

Problem

The original version of Origin Orbit® had the core functionality to support the business, but the overall user experience needed significant improvement. Navigation was unintuitive, the interface lacked consistency and the visual design didn't align with Origin's brand guidelines. As the platform evolved, it became increasingly important to simplify how users accessed information and managed the leak detection process. From the initial identification of a potential leak through to investigation, repair and rechecking, Origin Orbit® needed to bring the entire lifecycle together in one clear, connected experience. The challenge was to rethink the platform from the ground up, making complex operational data easier to understand while creating an interface that could support future features and the evolving needs of its users.

Discovery

I began by speaking directly with existing Origin Orbit® users to understand their experiences with the platform. Through user interviews and collaborative workshops, I explored what worked well, what caused frustration and where there were opportunities to improve existing workflows. These sessions also helped identify potential new features that could better support the wider leak detection process, ensuring the redesign considered both current frustrations and future requirements. Working alongside the wider project team, I introduced the MoSCoW prioritisation method to organise proposed features into Must Have, Should Have, Could Have and Won't Have categories. This helped establish clear priorities, balance user needs with project objectives and create a shared direction for the v2 development.

Design & Iteration

With the research and priorities established, I led the complete UI/UX redesign of Origin Orbit®, rethinking how users navigate the platform, interact with information and manage the leak detection lifecycle. I redesigned the core experience, including the dashboard, navigation, interactive mapping, POI management, data tables, filtering, reporting and analytics. Particular attention went into making complex information easier to digest, giving clients clearer visibility of operational activity through improved statistics and data visualisations. Alongside the interface redesign, I established a new visual direction aligned with Origin's brand guidelines. Starting with the 'shadcn' component library, I customised and extended its components to create a bespoke UI foundation for Origin Orbit®. This involved refining typography, colours, spacing, component variations and interaction states, creating a consistent design language across the platform. What began as a component library for Origin Orbit® evolved into Origin's baseline UI library, designed to be reused across its wider digital ecosystem, including future products such as Tech App v2, Origin SAVI and Origin AURA. Throughout the process, I worked closely with development and DevOps to help bring the designs into the finished product. I also carried out user testing and feedback sessions to validate the new experience, understand what had improved and identify smaller usability issues that could be addressed in future updates.

With the research and priorities established, I led the complete UI/UX redesign of Origin Orbit®, rethinking how users navigate the platform, interact with information and manage the leak detection lifecycle. I redesigned the core experience, including the dashboard, navigation, interactive mapping, POI management, data tables, filtering, reporting and analytics. Particular attention went into making complex information easier to digest, giving clients clearer visibility of operational activity through improved statistics and data visualisations. Alongside the interface redesign, I established a new visual direction aligned with Origin's brand guidelines. Starting with the 'shadcn' component library, I customised and extended its components to create a bespoke UI foundation for Origin Orbit®. This involved refining typography, colours, spacing, component variations and interaction states, creating a consistent design language across the platform. What began as a component library for Origin Orbit® evolved into Origin's baseline UI library, designed to be reused across its wider digital ecosystem, including future products such as Tech App v2, Origin SAVI and Origin AURA. Throughout the process, I worked closely with development and DevOps to help bring the designs into the finished product. I also carried out user testing and feedback sessions to validate the new experience, understand what had improved and identify smaller usability issues that could be addressed in future updates.

Outcome

Origin Orbit® v2 delivered a significantly improved user experience, replacing the limitations of the original interface with a more intuitive, consistent and accessible platform. Users benefited from clearer navigation, improved access to information and better visibility of the complete leak detection lifecycle. The redesigned dashboards and data visualisations also made it easier for clients to understand operational performance and monitor progress. Beyond Origin Orbit® itself, one of the biggest achievements was establishing a reusable, Origin-branded component library. This created a shared design foundation for future applications, helping improve consistency and reduce duplicated design and development effort across Origin's digital products. The project was about more than improving an existing interface. It was about creating a better experience for Origin Orbit® users while putting the foundations in place for Origin's future digital products. As of 2026, Origin Orbit® is being rolled out across England, Northern Ireland, Costa Rica, Bahamas, France and Turkey. Note - credit to Origin Tech UK Ltd. for allowing this project to happen.

Origin Orbit® v2 delivered a significantly improved user experience, replacing the limitations of the original interface with a more intuitive, consistent and accessible platform. Users benefited from clearer navigation, improved access to information and better visibility of the complete leak detection lifecycle. The redesigned dashboards and data visualisations also made it easier for clients to understand operational performance and monitor progress. Beyond Origin Orbit® itself, one of the biggest achievements was establishing a reusable, Origin-branded component library. This created a shared design foundation for future applications, helping improve consistency and reduce duplicated design and development effort across Origin's digital products. The project was about more than improving an existing interface. It was about creating a better experience for Origin Orbit® users while putting the foundations in place for Origin's future digital products. As of 2026, Origin Orbit® is being rolled out across England, Northern Ireland, Costa Rica, Bahamas, France and Turkey. Note - credit to Origin Tech UK Ltd. for allowing this project to happen.