3 Phone screenshots of the Sprieworks mobile app

spireworks

Spireworks is an app to control and interact with NYC's most famous spires in real time.

summary

I lead the product design for Spireworks, a longterm client, working on their mobile app, marketing website, and online booking platform.

Role

Product Design Lead

Team

Created at L+R, Mark Domino, Alex Levin, Julia Keller, Matt Park

Client

Spireworks

2019

A mockup of the Spireworks marketing website and branding assets

Prompt

Spireworks, a daughter company of the Durst Organization, lets you control the spires of iconic New York City buildings in real time with your phone. Spireworks also collaborates with charities and hosts special events, allowing users to donate to a good cause and enjoy exclusive access to the app. I was the go-to product and UX designer for Spireworks, working on various feature sprints for their mobile app, designing their marketing website, livestream experience, and tenant booking platform.


Throughout my time working with Spireworks, I created high-fidelity designs, prototypes, presentations, and developer documentation, while collaborating directly with the founder, strategists, and developers.

A layout describing key features of the Spireworks app, paired with branded iconography.

Constraints

Sprints were typically tight in timeline and budget, so I had to make some assumptions in the design process. Working at an agency, this is often the case, so I’ve learned to lean on other research techniques to help inform design choices. This includes stakeholder interviews, literary research, and market research.


I was also the sole designer for most of my projects with Spireworks. I prioritized having constant feedback loops in my design flow, making sure product strategy, business goals, and design direction were in sync.

A mockup of the Spireworks app, a hand holding a phone with the spires blurred in the background. The phone shows a screen for the Change At A Distance campaign.

livestream and donation platform

During 2020, millions of people stayed home to combat the pandemic and help flatten the curve. The Spireworks app was primarily meant to be enjoyed outdoors, where users could interact with the spires while looking up at the skyline. Adjusting to the new reality of that year, I helped to launch a new initiative and campaign called Change At a Distance.


I designed the custom live-streaming and donation platform, allowing users from all over the globe to donate directly online to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, getting the opportunity to livestream and play with NYC spires in real-time from the comfort and safety of their homes.


The campaign raised over $75,000 and expanded the user base of the Spireworks app to a global level. The live-streaming and donation platform is still in effect to this day, hosting events regularly for different global causes.

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a desktop view.

desktop experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a mobile view.

mobile experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a desktop view.

desktop experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a mobile view.

mobile experience

events booking platform

Spireworks is a daughter company of the Durst organization, one of the oldest family-run real estate companies in New York City. They offer the tenants of Durst buildings the ability to book private live lighting events with their active spires, with the option to make them cause-based and available to the larger public.


I designed the web-based tenant booking platform, allowing tenants to reserve and manage events, view statistics related to their events, manage purchasing tokens, and manage organization members.

A GIF of the Spireworks events booking platform dashboard.

booking platform dashboard

A GIF of the Spireworks events booking platform dashboard.

booking platform dashboard

accessibility and ux audit

Every so often, I got the opportunity to work on more research-based projects, auditing and analyzing the Spireworks app to uncover user pain points, breaks in UX best practices, and accessibility conformance.


I created interactive presentations to highlight key issues, as well as present a set of solutions varied by scope and development effort available.


For the accessibility audit, I referred to the objectives and requirements as listed in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0  (Level A, AA) and Section 508. Aside from a custom presentation, I also delivered a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) document.

A GIF of the User Joourney Research deck I created for Spireworks.

user journey map analysis

A GIF of the Accessibility Audit deck I created for Spireworks.

accessibility audit

A GIF of the User Joourney Research deck I created for Spireworks.

user journey map analysis

A GIF of the Accessibility Audit deck I created for Spireworks.

accessibility audit

outcome

We successfully released several different features and campaigns on the Spireworks platform during my time working with the Spireworks team.


I learned a lot in the process with Spireworks being one of my very first clients after joining L+R. I believe Spireworks to be a one-of-a-kind product, and I’m grateful I’ve been able to contribute to various parts of their product.

An image of two of the iconic buildings partnered in the Spireworks app, One Bryant Park and 151 West 42nd, lit up at night in New York City.
3 Phone screenshots of the Sprieworks mobile app

spireworks

Spireworks is an app to control and interact with NYC's most famous spires in real time.

summary

I lead the product design for Spireworks, a longterm client, working on their mobile app, marketing website, and online booking platform.

Role

Product Design Lead

Team

Created at L+R, Mark Domino, Alex Levin, Julia Keller, Matt Park

Client

Spireworks

2019

A mockup of the Spireworks marketing website and branding assets

Prompt

Spireworks, a daughter company of the Durst Organization, lets you control the spires of iconic New York City buildings in real time with your phone. Spireworks also collaborates with charities and hosts special events, allowing users to donate to a good cause and enjoy exclusive access to the app. I was the go-to product and UX designer for Spireworks, working on various feature sprints for their mobile app, designing their marketing website, livestream experience, and tenant booking platform.


Throughout my time working with Spireworks, I created high-fidelity designs, prototypes, presentations, and developer documentation, while collaborating directly with the founder, strategists, and developers.

A layout describing key features of the Spireworks app, paired with branded iconography.

Constraints

Sprints were typically tight in timeline and budget, so I had to make some assumptions in the design process. Working at an agency, this is often the case, so I’ve learned to lean on other research techniques to help inform design choices. This includes stakeholder interviews, literary research, and market research.


I was also the sole designer for most of my projects with Spireworks. I prioritized having constant feedback loops in my design flow, making sure product strategy, business goals, and design direction were in sync.

A mockup of the Spireworks app, a hand holding a phone with the spires blurred in the background. The phone shows a screen for the Change At A Distance campaign.

livestream and donation platform

During 2020, millions of people stayed home to combat the pandemic and help flatten the curve. The Spireworks app was primarily meant to be enjoyed outdoors, where users could interact with the spires while looking up at the skyline. Adjusting to the new reality of that year, I helped to launch a new initiative and campaign called Change At a Distance.


I designed the custom live-streaming and donation platform, allowing users from all over the globe to donate directly online to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, getting the opportunity to livestream and play with NYC spires in real-time from the comfort and safety of their homes.


The campaign raised over $75,000 and expanded the user base of the Spireworks app to a global level. The live-streaming and donation platform is still in effect to this day, hosting events regularly for different global causes.

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a desktop view.

desktop experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a mobile view.

mobile experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a desktop view.

desktop experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a mobile view.

mobile experience

events booking platform

Spireworks is a daughter company of the Durst organization, one of the oldest family-run real estate companies in New York City. They offer the tenants of Durst buildings the ability to book private live lighting events with their active spires, with the option to make them cause-based and available to the larger public.


I designed the web-based tenant booking platform, allowing tenants to reserve and manage events, view statistics related to their events, manage purchasing tokens, and manage organization members.

A GIF of the Spireworks events booking platform dashboard.

booking platform dashboard

A GIF of the Spireworks events booking platform dashboard.

booking platform dashboard

accessibility and ux audit

Every so often, I got the opportunity to work on more research-based projects, auditing and analyzing the Spireworks app to uncover user pain points, breaks in UX best practices, and accessibility conformance.


I created interactive presentations to highlight key issues, as well as present a set of solutions varied by scope and development effort available.


For the accessibility audit, I referred to the objectives and requirements as listed in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0  (Level A, AA) and Section 508. Aside from a custom presentation, I also delivered a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) document.

A GIF of the User Joourney Research deck I created for Spireworks.

user journey map analysis

A GIF of the Accessibility Audit deck I created for Spireworks.

accessibility audit

A GIF of the User Joourney Research deck I created for Spireworks.

user journey map analysis

A GIF of the Accessibility Audit deck I created for Spireworks.

accessibility audit

outcome

We successfully released several different features and campaigns on the Spireworks platform during my time working with the Spireworks team.


I learned a lot in the process with Spireworks being one of my very first clients after joining L+R. I believe Spireworks to be a one-of-a-kind product, and I’m grateful I’ve been able to contribute to various parts of their product.

An image of two of the iconic buildings partnered in the Spireworks app, One Bryant Park and 151 West 42nd, lit up at night in New York City.
3 Phone screenshots of the Sprieworks mobile app

spireworks

Spireworks is an app to control and interact with NYC's most famous spires in real time.

summary

I lead the product design for Spireworks, a longterm client, working on their mobile app, marketing website, and online booking platform.

Role

Product Design Lead

Team

Created at L+R, Mark Domino, Alex Levin, Julia Keller, Matt Park

Client

Spireworks

2019

A mockup of the Spireworks marketing website and branding assets

Prompt

Spireworks, a daughter company of the Durst Organization, lets you control the spires of iconic New York City buildings in real time with your phone. Spireworks also collaborates with charities and hosts special events, allowing users to donate to a good cause and enjoy exclusive access to the app. I was the go-to product and UX designer for Spireworks, working on various feature sprints for their mobile app, designing their marketing website, livestream experience, and tenant booking platform.


Throughout my time working with Spireworks, I created high-fidelity designs, prototypes, presentations, and developer documentation, while collaborating directly with the founder, strategists, and developers.

A layout describing key features of the Spireworks app, paired with branded iconography.

Constraints

Sprints were typically tight in timeline and budget, so I had to make some assumptions in the design process. Working at an agency, this is often the case, so I’ve learned to lean on other research techniques to help inform design choices. This includes stakeholder interviews, literary research, and market research.


I was also the sole designer for most of my projects with Spireworks. I prioritized having constant feedback loops in my design flow, making sure product strategy, business goals, and design direction were in sync.

A mockup of the Spireworks app, a hand holding a phone with the spires blurred in the background. The phone shows a screen for the Change At A Distance campaign.

livestream and donation platform

During 2020, millions of people stayed home to combat the pandemic and help flatten the curve. The Spireworks app was primarily meant to be enjoyed outdoors, where users could interact with the spires while looking up at the skyline. Adjusting to the new reality of that year, I helped to launch a new initiative and campaign called Change At a Distance.


I designed the custom live-streaming and donation platform, allowing users from all over the globe to donate directly online to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, getting the opportunity to livestream and play with NYC spires in real-time from the comfort and safety of their homes.


The campaign raised over $75,000 and expanded the user base of the Spireworks app to a global level. The live-streaming and donation platform is still in effect to this day, hosting events regularly for different global causes.

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a desktop view.

desktop experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a mobile view.

mobile experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a desktop view.

desktop experience

A GIF of the livestream and donation platform on a mobile view.

mobile experience

events booking platform

Spireworks is a daughter company of the Durst organization, one of the oldest family-run real estate companies in New York City. They offer the tenants of Durst buildings the ability to book private live lighting events with their active spires, with the option to make them cause-based and available to the larger public.


I designed the web-based tenant booking platform, allowing tenants to reserve and manage events, view statistics related to their events, manage purchasing tokens, and manage organization members.

A GIF of the Spireworks events booking platform dashboard.

booking platform dashboard

A GIF of the Spireworks events booking platform dashboard.

booking platform dashboard

accessibility and ux audit

Every so often, I got the opportunity to work on more research-based projects, auditing and analyzing the Spireworks app to uncover user pain points, breaks in UX best practices, and accessibility conformance.


I created interactive presentations to highlight key issues, as well as present a set of solutions varied by scope and development effort available.


For the accessibility audit, I referred to the objectives and requirements as listed in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0  (Level A, AA) and Section 508. Aside from a custom presentation, I also delivered a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) document.

A GIF of the User Joourney Research deck I created for Spireworks.

user journey map analysis

A GIF of the Accessibility Audit deck I created for Spireworks.

accessibility audit

A GIF of the User Joourney Research deck I created for Spireworks.

user journey map analysis

A GIF of the Accessibility Audit deck I created for Spireworks.

accessibility audit

outcome

We successfully released several different features and campaigns on the Spireworks platform during my time working with the Spireworks team.


I learned a lot in the process with Spireworks being one of my very first clients after joining L+R. I believe Spireworks to be a one-of-a-kind product, and I’m grateful I’ve been able to contribute to various parts of their product.

An image of two of the iconic buildings partnered in the Spireworks app, One Bryant Park and 151 West 42nd, lit up at night in New York City.

©2023 sharon lee

©2023 sharon lee

©2023 sharon lee