BHP VR is a specialized SaaS platform that allows geologists to analyze rock, mineral, and fossil data in immersive 3D and VR environments. My role was to design product experiences that not only supported scientific analysis but also improved collaboration and project management efficiency across distributed research teams.
Role:
Lead Designer
Industry:
HR Tech, SaaS
Duration:
8 Weeks
Challenges
Uploading and managing large geological data sets was slow and error-prone, limiting onboarding and user activation
Collaboration between teams lacked real-time context, reducing platform engagement after initial project creation
Delivering consistent UX across desktop and VR modes was critical to ensure long-term retention across user types
My Approach
Simplified data upload flows, introducing step-based progress feedback to reduce user anxiety during large file imports
Designed annotation tools that allowed team members to comment directly on 3D models, creating context-rich collaboration inside the data
Built adaptive interfaces that maintained consistent design patterns across VR headsets and desktop, allowing teams to switch environments seamlessly
Developed visually rich dashboards that surfaced recent activity, flagged pending reviews, and nudged users to re-engage with active projects
Results
Improved data upload efficiency by 20 percent, reducing onboarding friction
Increased collaborative actions inside projects as annotation tools became a core daily feature for teams
Delivered a unified product experience that improved cross-platform engagement and reduced early churn for VR-only users
Conclusion
Designing for VR in a scientific SaaS environment challenged me to balance technical complexity with user psychology. Every design choice was focused on reducing drop-off during onboarding, increasing feature adoption, and driving recurring engagement across highly specialized teams.
