NIC MAP
Mobile App Redesign — Companion for a Desktop-First Platform
Overview
NIC MAP is a B2B market data platform used by investors, operators, and developers in the senior housing industry. The mobile app had been built years earlier and no longer reflected the quality of the desktop platform. When NIC MAP introduced a new brand identity, the team saw an opportunity to redesign the mobile experience.
I led the redesign as the product designer, working alongside the product manager and engineers over a four-week timeline.
Type
In-house Product
Role
Product Designer
Date
2025
Timeline
4-week design sprint
Tools
Figma
Deliverables
Interactive Prototypes
Engineering handoff
Team
Product Manager, Engineers
Problem
The mobile app had zero customer adoption and was used exclusively by internal team members. The interface felt outdated, navigation was difficult to follow, and the experience did not represent the quality of the broader NIC MAP product.
At the same time, the desktop platform is dense with complex workflows and datasets that wouldn't translate well to a mobile screen.
Design Process
I walked through the existing experience and documented where navigation, hierarchy, and interaction was unclear.
In addition, I joined stakeholder meetings to understand how the team envisioned the future role of the mobile product. The priority was for the app to provide users with the data they would need most while checking in on the go, and not replicate the depth that belongs on desktop.
Before
Wireframing and Prototyping
I started with mid-fidelity wireframes to work through layout, information hierarchy, and user flows. I asked, what does each screen need to show, in what order, and how does a user naturally move through the app.
Once the structure was set, I moved into high-fidelity designs. The goal was to create an experience that felt visually aligned with the desktop platform while remaining clear and lightweight on mobile.
Key design decisions
Lead with a map
The redesign puts the map first to help users see where properties are before exploring the data. This matches how investors and operators naturally think about different markets and locations.Scannable property details
Once a property is selected, users see the most important information upfront: key metrics, charts, and images. The layout is designed for quick decisions.Research on the go
For users who need more than a quick overview, the app provides a conversational assistant for questions and in-app reports for deeper review. This keeps users informed without needing to return to their desktop.
I ran usability testing with three colleagues to validate navigation and identify any points of confusion. Their feedback led to a round of iterations before the final designs were delivered for implementation.
Outcome
The app shipped successfully, with the full design completed within four weeks. Internal teams responded positively, describing the product as significantly easier to navigate and visually aligned with the desktop platform.
The app evolved from an internally used tool with no customer adoption into a product ready to launch to a broader user base.
Reflection
Given more time, I would've validated the decision to lead with the map over the data dashboard used on desktop. This approach felt aligned with how users explore properties and markets, but testing with our users would've confirmed whether it was the right solution.