bp
Reimagining Energy Through Design.
Role
UX/UI Design Intern
Industry
Oil & Gas
Duration
12 Weeks
Internship Overview
I worked as a UI/UX Design Intern with the Digital Design team at bp. This team collaborates across the company to humanize digital innovation, enhancing user experiences, and supporting bp's commitment to a sustainable future. One of the major initiatives we focused on was redesigning the Helix site, the central internal platform for all digital design-related resources at bp.
My intern project focused on researching and providing insights into improving the Helix navigation system, making the information architecture more intuitive and accessible for users.
Additionally, I was part of the Digital Science Interns’ group project, where we developed an initiative to connect bp employees with biodiversity on campus. The project aligned with bp's mission to be net-zero by 2050 or sooner, fostering a more sustainable future. My role was to ensure that our project maintained sustainable design and development principles, contributing to bp's vision of reimagining energy for a better planet.
Tools
Optimal Workshop, Figma, Mural, Visual Studio Code
Mentor
Timothy Gant
Internship Overview
I worked as a UI/UX Design Intern with the Digital Design team at bp. This team collaborates across the company to humanize digital innovation, enhancing user experiences, and supporting bp's commitment to a sustainable future. One of the major initiatives we focused on was redesigning the Helix site, the central internal platform for all digital design-related resources at bp.
My intern project focused on researching and providing insights into improving the Helix navigation system, making the information architecture more intuitive and accessible for users.
Additionally, I was part of the Digital Science Interns’ group project, where we developed an initiative to connect bp employees with biodiversity on campus. The project aligned with bp's mission to be net-zero by 2050 or sooner, fostering a more sustainable future. My role was to ensure that our project maintained sustainable design and development principles, contributing to bp's vision of reimagining energy for a better planet.
Tools
Optimal Workshop, Figma, Mural, Visual Studio Code
Mentor
Timothy Gant
Personal Intern Project
Conducted 10 unmoderated semi-structured user interviews with bp employees to understand their experience with the Helix site.
Created a tree test using Optimal Workshop, tested during a monthly global digital design meeting with bp employees.
Presented research findings on the Helix navigation system to senior design leadership.
Crafted high-quality presentations for research insights and design concepts, including those inspired by Google Design Sprints.
Background
Imagine walking into a vast library. The sheer number of books and the way they’re arranged make it almost impossible to find what you need. You’re faced with an overwhelming maze of choices. You know there’s valuable information here, but without clear directions, it feels like you’re wandering without purpose. My challenge was to understand why this was happening in the Helix navigation. Through research, I aimed to uncover what was behind this overwhelming experience—why were people missing critical information? I conducted user interviews and created tree tests to gather insights into the specific pain points employees faced.
Stage 1. UX interviews
I met with the lead designer of the Helix site to gain deeper insights into the purpose of the Helix site and the necessity for a more effective navigation system.
Consulted bp's UX Research team on their interview methods and interview script writing.
After starting my interview I noticed they were shorter than I anticipated they would be. I recorded my user interviews and requested feedback from the UX Research team on how I could further improve. My interviews became longer and more insightful after applying their feedback.
I selected ten interviewees, two representatives from each of the five design disciplines: product design, design engineering, content design, UX research, and design operations. The interviewees were from various office locations: Chicago, Houston, and London.
Stage 1. UX interviews
I met with the lead designer of the Helix site to gain deeper insights into the purpose of the Helix site and the necessity for a more effective navigation system.
Consulted bp's UX Research team on their interview methods and interview script writing.
After starting my interview I noticed they were shorter than I anticipated they would be. I recorded my user interviews and requested feedback from the UX Research team on how I could further improve. My interviews became longer and more insightful after applying their feedback.
I selected ten interviewees, two representatives from each of the five design disciplines: product design, design engineering, content design, UX research, and design operations. The interviewees were from various office locations: Chicago, Houston, and London.
Stage 1 Continued…
- Conducted 30 minute semi-structured interviews
- Explored employees' history and background with the company.
- Inquired about the softwares essential to their role.
- Asked about their frequency of use and familiarity with the Helix platform.
- Gathered suggestions for improving Helix’s usability and effectiveness.
Interview Findings
After completing an affinity map in mural I found that:
New employees were unaware of Helix and preferred asking peers for specific resources, as it was quicker and more convenient.
Established employees found Helix unhelpful, describing the information as too "general" and preferring more team-specific resources.
Stage 1 Continued…
- Conducted 30 minute semi-structured interviews
- Explored employees' history and background with the company.
- Inquired about the softwares essential to their role.
- Asked about their frequency of use and familiarity with the Helix platform.
- Gathered suggestions for improving Helix’s usability and effectiveness.
Interview Findings
After completing an affinity map in mural I found that:
New employees were unaware of Helix and preferred asking peers for specific resources, as it was quicker and more convenient.
Established employees found Helix unhelpful, describing the information as too "general" and preferring more team-specific resources.
Group Intern Project
As digital science interns we were tasked with connecting bp employees with biodiversity on campus. We decided to create an app called Biolens that allowed bp employees to photograph plants or animals on campus for identification.
Mission Statement: Creating awareness, educating and inspiring engagement of bp employees by utilizing bp digital resources to promote and sustain biodiversity.
Conducted 5 semi-structured, unmoderated user interviews with bp employees about their awareness of and interactivity with biodiversity on campus, and their perspectives on an app that promotes this interaction.
Iterated designs for the BioLens project based on research findings. Focusing on sustainable design through using features such as a darker background to save energy.
Collaborated with Senior Digital Science Associate Peter Lemke to create the "Foraging Tour," highlighting campus biodiversity that was previously unfamiliar to bp employees.
Edited foraging tour video for the BioLens project, showcasing the campus biodiversity.
Assisted in front-end development for the BioLens group project.
Led collaboration efforts among 20 Digital Science interns, facilitating team bonding, communication, and effective collaboration.
Group Intern Project
As digital science interns we were tasked with connecting bp employees with biodiversity on campus. We decided to create an app called Biolens that allowed bp employees to photograph plants or animals on campus for identification.
Mission Statement: Creating awareness, educating and inspiring engagement of bp employees by utilizing bp digital resources to promote and sustain biodiversity.
Conducted 5 semi-structured, unmoderated user interviews with bp employees about their awareness of and interactivity with biodiversity on campus, and their perspectives on an app that promotes this interaction.
Iterated designs for the BioLens project based on research findings. Focusing on sustainable design through using features such as a darker background to save energy.
Collaborated with Senior Digital Science Associate Peter Lemke to create the "Foraging Tour," highlighting campus biodiversity that was previously unfamiliar to bp employees.
Edited foraging tour video for the BioLens project, showcasing the campus biodiversity.
Assisted in front-end development for the BioLens group project.
Led collaboration efforts among 20 Digital Science interns, facilitating team bonding, communication, and effective collaboration.
Foraging Tour
I was introduced to Senior Digital Science Associate Peter Lemke in the beginning of my internship. One afternoon in the midst of June, I ran into him and an associate in the main lobby. He showed us his recent discovery of silk worms building cocoons which then turned into an hour long foraging tour.
When it came time to ideate for our group project, I immediately thought back to the foraging tour. I pinged Lemke enthusiastically and we set it up.
The Foraging Tour was official!
The tour was perfect because it covered so much biodiversity on campus that was previously unfamiliar to bp employees.
We later decided to film a video on the foraging tour and I got to edit the 30 minute video on all the interesting things we can see on campus.
Foraging Tour
I was introduced to Senior Digital Science Associate Peter Lemke in the beginning of my internship. One afternoon in the midst of June, I ran into him and an associate in the main lobby. He showed us his recent discovery of silk worms building cocoons which then turned into an hour long foraging tour.
When it came time to ideate for our group project, I immediately thought back to the foraging tour. I pinged Lemke enthusiastically and we set it up.
The Foraging Tour was official!
The tour was perfect because it covered so much biodiversity on campus that was previously unfamiliar to bp employees.
We later decided to film a video on the foraging tour and I got to edit the 30 minute video on all the interesting things we can see on campus.
Reflections
My internship was truly a transformative learning journey, especially being my first hands-on experience in UI/UX design. Working on my personal project with the Helix navigation system gave me valuable insights into the importance of user-centered research and how design choices impact usability. I learned how to dig deep into users' needs.
The group project with BioLens taught me the significance of sustainable design and how creativity can make a real difference. Working alongside fellow interns to design an experience that connected people with biodiversity was both rewarding and challenging—it pushed me to think beyond the conventional applications of technology.
What stood out most, though, was the collaboration aspect. I realized that, no matter how skilled an individual might be, a team is only as strong as its communication. Building relationships with other interns and facilitating a culture of openness and creativity was a highlight for me. It showed me that a supportive, connected team can truly elevate any project. I leave this experience with a deeper understanding of design, collaboration, and how powerful teamwork can be in driving innovation.
Reflections
My internship was truly a transformative learning journey, especially being my first hands-on experience in UI/UX design. Working on my personal project with the Helix navigation system gave me valuable insights into the importance of user-centered research and how design choices impact usability. I learned how to dig deep into users' needs.
The group project with BioLens taught me the significance of sustainable design and how creativity can make a real difference. Working alongside fellow interns to design an experience that connected people with biodiversity was both rewarding and challenging—it pushed me to think beyond the conventional applications of technology.
What stood out most, though, was the collaboration aspect. I realized that, no matter how skilled an individual might be, a team is only as strong as its communication. Building relationships with other interns and facilitating a culture of openness and creativity was a highlight for me. It showed me that a supportive, connected team can truly elevate any project. I leave this experience with a deeper understanding of design, collaboration, and how powerful teamwork can be in driving innovation.
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