Nguyên Lâm (Anya)
currently at Chicago, IL


AlgaeChum

Designed for the planet. Powered by the community.



Year:
Role:
Tools:
Credits:
Duration: 2024–2025
Graphic Designer
Illustrator, Figma
Stephanie Wiiliams, Saja Abuammer
14 weeks Identity, UX/UI

AlgaeChum is an app created for environmentally conscious young adults. Featuring a friendly and intuitive UX design, the app addresses harmful algal blooms in water bodies by leveraging buoy reports and contributions from community scientists.

View AlgaeChum case study here.


Created under the Auto-X initiative, Algae Chum is a collaboration between UIC senior graphic design students and researchers at Ostfalia University and the University of Wisconsin. Researchers were looking for an app that incentivizes user input of reports on potential harmful algae blooms.

Problem
  • Complexity gap: Jargon-heavy content without explanations causes high user drop-off.
  • Friction of data entry: Manual reporting feels tedious, threatening long-term user retention.
  • Educational Challenge: Shifting the user journey from passive reading to active, community-driven civic engagement.






Solution
  • Jargon-free reporting: Swap heavy scientific terminology for simple language to keep users actively engaged.
  • Optimized data entry: Leveraging intuitive dropdown menus minimizes typing effort, reduces cognitive load, and speeds up the reporting workflow.
  • Mission-driven design: Build an intuitive UI with a specific color scheme and typeface that amplifies the app's core purpose.
  • Community incentives: Turn repetitive data collection into an exciting, rewarding discovery experience that unites users.


AlgaeChum streamlines civic engagement through three steps: Track local water health Submit condition reports Earn rewards.
Track waterways in real time on an interactive map. Safely access scientific measurements and quickly review all of your previous water reports in one place. 
Reports now begin with user snapshots and feature a simplified multiple-choice section for ease of use. Users can also save drafts to finish later.
Algae Chum educates communities on combating harmful algae blooms (HABs) using live buoy reports. An interactive education hub reinforces this knowledge through flashcards, multiple-choice quizzes, and crossword puzzles
AlgaeChum screen overview.
With friendly, rounded edges, the mascot bridges science and play—softening AlgaeChum’s technical edge to engage our target audience of young adults who are interested in gamification.