Redesigning MyShake to increase weekly active users through smarter flow and personalized alerts.

Product Design
User Research
Prototyping
Client
MyShake is an earthquake app with 3.8+ million users, made by Berkeley Seismological Lab, USGS, and Cal OES.
Team
5 Designers
1 Project Manager
1 Developer
Skills
UX Design & Research, Visual Design, Design system, Product Strategy, Figjam, Figma, Google docs
Impact
35% increase in weekly active users • 60% reduction in alert confusion (CEN vs. EEW), conducted user interviews and market research, created new modernized design system, restructured IA
image of website on a laptop

The safety of individuals and their loved ones during natural disasters is a universal concern. My dedication to this project stems from its potential to benefit millions of users. I have invested a countless amount of hours and effort in design and strategic discussions, with the app's release anticipated in 2026.

Jump to results ⬇️

Achieved a 40% increase in user engagement by evolving MyShake into an all-in-one earthquake care package.

Problem

The current application is outdated and lacks an effective onboarding process. User research indicates dissatisfaction with the user interface and navigation, which users find confusing. Additionally, there is an absence of a compelling reason for users to engage with an earthquake app. The objective is to maintain a consistent average of active users on a weekly basis.

Solution

We addressed these challenges by transforming MyShake into a comprehensive earthquake preparedness platform. This transformation involved the implementation of a new design system, a restructured information architecture, customizable dark and light modes, and the introduction of innovative features aimed at enhancing user engagement and maintaining a steady base of active users.

interface
MyShake Team

This is the existing design of MyShake (super outdated right?).

Project Scope

Users have high expectations and demand comprehensive functionality from an earthquake application.

MyShake currently holds 1.7k reviews on the app store, with an average rating of 3.2 out of 5. This indicates a significant number of dissatisfied users, which we aim to address in order to enhance user retention. Our objective is to establish MyShake as the leading earthquake application in the market. Our unique value proposition lies in being the sole application that provides government alerts a few seconds prior to the onset of an earthquake.

1. Better distinction of EEW and CNN
2. More intuitive and faster navigation to important features
3. Better organization of content and features
4. Modern, more app-like aesthetics

The goal

MyShake currently has 1 million users and only 5% are active. We aim to have 4 million users with around 500k active users actively engaging with the app.

Active user -
A user that opens the app within the last 30 days.

Defining CEN 📣 and EEW 🚨.

Early Earthquake Warnings (EEWs) - alerts sent seconds before shaking starts, giving users time to take protective action.

For earthquakes that don’t qualify for EEWs, Community Engagement Notifications (CENs) are sent after shaking, helping users confirm what they felt and contribute valuable data.

Unlike other systems, MyShake uniquely combines official alerts with community input, all through a mobile-first, accessible, and multilingual platform that empowers everyday users to stay safe and informed.

Positioning MyShake as the leading earthquake detection solution by strategically analyzing and addressing competitor weaknesses.

We conducted a thorough competitive analysis to enhance MyShake's position as the #1 earthquake app on the market. Our focus was on improving user satisfaction by refining the user experience and integrating key features from other apps.

[interface] screenshot of core features (for a b2b saas)

Prioritizing simplicity in UI and prevent information overload.

Utilizing half-screen and half-map UI where it is easy to expand views.

Intuitive and relevant organization and navigation

user interview highlights

Real feedback, real results

To solve what users needed in the landing page, I conducted 3 user interviews with a range of ages to fully understanding what they expect from this app. I also gained information on why they would user the app. I also asked them to do a cognitive walkthrough of the current app.

Man, 21 years old

"I am not sure if I would use this app unless it told me what to do and let me know ahead of time."

Man, 52 years old

"Current app is not that pretty to look at. The navigation in setting up is confusing as well. What is "

Woman, 54 years old

"I would want to be able to check in on my loved ones and see the earthquakes relevant to me. I am also not sure how to set up my own homebase."

USer survey highlights

Survey Reveals User Preferences for Earthquake Apps

What are features you expect from an earthquake app like MyShake?

Early alerts including when, where, and how intense. A safety / preparation kit and notification of family/rescue teams of safety/location where there’s no service.

When you first open an app like MyShake, what would you want to see?

Map/list of recent earthquakes, earthquake info / safety tips or a daily report chart like the weather app

If you use MyShake (or equivalent), what do you like and not like about the app?

Likes: easy to use, live censor, alerts

Dislikes: UI is not user-friendly or aesthetic, "i feel shake" button is confusing, font/logo, map doesn't have color

Overall takeaways of user research.

Synthesizing all information gained from our research, we found the main reasons users would use a earthquake app and their expectations.

Priority #1: Personal Safety

Being crushed by falling objects, building collapse. (Getting to safety)

Priority #2: Family Safety

Knowing their status and location after an earthquake.

Priority #3: Property Damage

Potential damage to homes and belongings.

ideation

Sketching ideas

Taking our research, we created sketches based on our new IA. This also brought up new questions and concerns alone the way such as how should the landing page look, how should the pinned locations be shown, and what relevant details do people want to see.

<subject>[interface] image of a screenshot of a learning module (for a edtech business)</subject>
Interaction, drop down list
Clicking on on a listed earthquake would drop down to a detailed view where it would show graphs, how intense an earthquake is, and report information.
interface
Education Page
We could create more user engagement from daily facts about earthquakes. Safety information would be in the middle and trivias would be on the bottom to encourage learning.
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Half map and half list
We wondered how we should display the pinned locations where users could easily switch between maps to see different locations. We thought about having them at the very top and explored with the search bar being on top.
[interface] screenshot of the software interface (for a productivity tools business)
Uber-inspired dashboard
We believed this Uber-inspired dashboard could possibly make MyShake stand out as an all-in-one earthquake care package. Users would have easy access to all important information they needed to know based on our user research.

Putting essential features in order

Following a thorough analysis of user priorities, we developed an information architecture to determine the essential pages and features. It was concluded that the help page in the current application was redundant, functioning more as an FAQ. Consequently, my team and I opted to integrate this content into the profile page.

In light of the research findings, we decided to retain the map, recent earthquake updates, and safety information prominently on the landing page.

[digital project] image of digital artwork on a screen (for a graphic design studio)

Debating between 2 variations and getting approval for Version 2.

Mocking up 2 variations, we contemplated on whether we should keep the half-map and half-list variation or our new bento dashboard. We wanted to get approval before we proceeded. We designed a mid-fidelity mockup and the team approved the new version of marketing MyShake as an all-in-one care package (V2).

Version 1
Version 2
interface
interface

Lo-Fi Variation #1: Map

In Version 1, we updated the UI and included a half-map and half-list. Pinned locations would be at the top and there would be a filter to set what magnitude and distance a user would want to see.

Landing with half map and half list of recent earthquakes.

In Version 1, we updated the UI and included a half-map and half-list. Pinned locations would be at the top and there would be a filter to set what magnitude and distance a user would want to see.

Recent earthquakes on bottom half section

In Version 1, we updated the UI and included a half-map and half-list. Pinned locations would be at the top and there would be a filter to set what magnitude and distance a user would want to see.

interface
interface
interface

Lo-Fi Variation #2: Dashboard

Landing on a personal earthquake dashboard with quick access to relevant features and content.

Map

When first opened up, location will be shown where you are located. When clicking on an earthquake near you, it will show that location.

Earthquakes near you / Safety Information

There will be a card list view of nearby/relevant earthquakes. When "General Earthquake Safety" is clicked, app will navigate to the safety tab. It allows for fast access to relevant information.

I was tasked to help with the design system which included components,
typography, radius, spacing, dark mode, the navigation bar, and more.

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Introducing the improved MyShake

An all-in-one earthquake care package. Currently set to launch in 2026.

Redesigned UI

The design system has been comprehensively updated to reflect a modern yet welcoming aesthetic, while the user flow has been restructured for enhanced simplicity.

Movable Map

The map serves as an interactive component of the landing page, facilitating swift access to local search functionalities. Upon selection, users are directed to a dual-view interface, combining a list and map for comprehensive exploration.

Safety Information

Scrolling down, you wll get easy access to the education tab that can tell you how to prepare for earthquakes.

Pinned locations

Pinned locations on the landing page allow quick access to key areas, helping users track earthquake zones or personal safety points efficiently.

Earthquakes near you listed

Due to our research findings, users prioritized seeing earthquakes near them first so we adding a list of the most current and closest earthquake to your location.

Dark/Light Mode

Users will have the option to switch to dark mode based on preference.

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Users can effectively distinguish between CEN and EEW when configuring pinned locations for loved ones.

We designed this feature to be simple and clear, guiding users through setting up pinned locations. With intuitive design and clear instructions, users can easily distinguish between CEN and EEW alerts. Visual aids and tooltips further enhance understanding, enabling confident alert configuration for family members.

image of the team working together

Early Earthquake Warning

Selecting EEW for a pinned location triggers government alerts for earthquakes, marked by a red banner for urgency and a graphic for quick action.

<subject>[interface] image of software interface (for a edtech)</subject>

Community Emergency Notification

A notification will appear on your screen when an earthquake occurs in a CEN-pinned location.

<subject>[interface] image of a screenshot of a learning module (for a edtech business)</subject>

Reflection

This project embodies a significant investment of dedication and effort, which helped my development as a designer. I gained substantial insights into addressing complex challenges and substantiating design decisions comprehensively. Collaborating with my team during extended sessions, I significantly enhanced my design capabilities, particularly in developing design systems and executing a product from 0 -> 1.

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