Ishita Baluni

Fógra — Inclusive Flood Forecasting that guides you, step by step.

Imagine the sky turning into heavy, metallic grey. Your phone buzzes. Instead of a wall of jargon and colour codes, Fógra opens with a calm sentence: “Moderate flood risk in your area today here’s what to do now.” That’s the heart of this project: translating complex hydrometeorological data into clear next steps, especially for older adults and anyone who finds today’s systems overwhelming in a stressful moment. Ireland’s warnings are often accurate but scattered, technical, and visually inconsistent. People hesitate, misread the risk, or miss it entirely. That information–action gap costs time, belongings, and confidence. Fógra closes the gap with a design that speaks human: plain language, gentle visuals, and guidance that adapts to your location, your needs, and your device. Built through Research Through Design survey insights, expert review of existing platforms, and iterative prototyping Fógra focuses on three questions: What’s happening here? What should I do next? How do I know I can trust this? The interface pairs a location-aware risk view with “Now / Next / Prepare” checklists, timestamps every update, and explains the data sources (e.g., Met Éireann, OPW) so decisions feel informed, not guessed. Who it’s for Households in at-risk areas. Carers checking on loved ones. Older adults who prefer simple, steady guidance. Commuters deciding whether to move the car. Community responders coordinating neighbours. Anyone who needs clarity fast. How it helps (key features) • Eircode search, “Check My Location,” and saved places for one-tap monitoring. • Colour-blind-safe alert levels with plain labels and a concise risk summary. • Progressive-disclosure map: glanceable status first, deeper detail when you want it. • Accessibility controls: large text, high contrast, and a “simple mode” that trims clutter. • Action checklists that change with context home, commute, coastal, riverine. • Transparent data panel with last-updated time and source notes to build trust. • Optional AR preview that projects near-term street-level impact to aid planning. At DAWN, you can try common scenarios: type an Eircode, watch a warning advance, and follow tailored steps. Fógra is both a prototype and a set of design principles for inclusive, emotionally supportive risk communication—a small, steady guide for when the water rises and the right next step matters most.