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Design Challenge

Forecast vs. Reality: Designing Clarity in the Chaos of Hurricane Ian

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Overview
Context

This project was part of a design challenge I completed for a company I applied to. The brief asked candidates to design a single-page experience that clearly and impactfully visualize the inaccuracy of Hurricane Ian’s forecast, an error that placed the predicted landfall over 250 kilometers away from where the storm actually struck.

Though I wasn’t selected for the position, the process pushed me creatively and strategically. It challenged me to turn raw meteorological data into a compelling, emotionally resonant narrative, and gave me one of the most meaningful case studies I’ve worked on till date.

The Challenge

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Fort Myers, Florida as a Category 5 hurricane. Just three days earlier, official forecasts projected it would hit near Tallahassee, in the Florida panhandle. This 250 km discrepancy had serious consequences: residents and officials in the actual impact zone had far less time to prepare, resulting in over $112 billion in damages and more than 150 lives lost.

My challenge was to design a single-page web experience that would clearly communicate the magnitude and impact of this forecast error, in a way that was not only factual but persuasive, especially for a policymaker audience that may not be familiar with how forecasting works.

My Role

I led the entire design process, from research and synthesis to layout design, copywriting, interaction design, and visual styling. The goal was to create something informative, interactive, and emotionally engaging, all within a single scrollable page.

Research & Insights

To ground the design in accuracy and clarity, I explored:

One key insight: the public often misunderstands the “cone of uncertainty” and the subtle language of forecast visuals. I realized that instead of just showing the error, I needed to help people feel it.

Design Breakdown
Outcome
Key Takeaways
Reflection
This project challenged me to think beyond aesthetics and focus on the core of what design can do, make complexity understandable and consequences visible. Turning raw forecast data into a story that felt urgent, human, and actionable required me to balance clarity, emotion, and technical integrity. It pushed me to consider not just how users interact with information, but how they feel it. Working within the constraints of a single-page format also helped sharpen my storytelling instincts, forcing every section to have a clear purpose and impact.

While I wasn’t selected for the role this challenge was tied to, I walked away with a much deeper understanding of how design can serve critical, real-world problems. I learned how to use interactive tools, visual contrast, and narrative pacing to bridge the gap between science and public awareness. Most importantly, I left the project with a renewed confidence in my ability to turn abstract problems into powerful user experiences, something I’ll carry into every future project.
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