Lake Mapper
2025
First Comprehensive Lake Data Solution in the United States
How AI uncovers hidden lakes and converts them into high-intent customer opportunities. We helped lake service providers uncover untapped lakes, connect with the right property owners, and transform complex geographic data into actionable business opportunities.
Overview
How it started
An old man retired with a question: “How many unknown lakes exist?” As a lake owner and enthusiast, he set out to discover hidden, unmapped lakes across the U.S. But this personal mission needed more than maps it needed a product.
We transformed his idea into a digital product that uses AI to identify and map overlooked lakes. One man, one idea, thousands of hidden lakes.
I joined the project when it was being developed directly by AI engineers, with my initial role focused on giving the product a UI revamp. But as I explored deeper, I realized there was much more to solve beneath the surface.
What started as a technical MVP gradually evolved into a fast-paced, full-fledged product design project, where I contributed beyond visual design to shape the overall product experience.
Problem
Fragmented data makes customer discovery difficult
Lake service providers relied on fragmented geographic, parcel, and ownership data to find potential customers. Traditional mapping platforms captured only a small percentage of existing lakes and connect lakes with the right property owners.
Research
Understanding the user and business
Primary Target: B2B Lake Management Service Provider
Role / Job Title:
Owner, Business Development Director, or Lead Operations Manager at a regional Environmental / Aquatic Management Firm.
Company Size:
Small-to-Midsize Enterprises (5–50 employees, 2–15 service boats/rigs).
Demographics:
35–60 years old, tech-literate, field-oriented, based in US regions with high lake density (e.g., Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Carolinas).
Goals & Motivations: Wants high-intent leads for private and HOA-governed water bodies rather than broad digital marketing campaigns. Seeks to discover unserviced, private, or deteriorating water bodies before competitors do. Needs streamlined mobile quoting, field communication, and fast digital payment collection from property owners.
Design
Designing approval workflows
Lake Mapper simplifies complex geospatial data through a clear, visual, and intuitive experience. The design combines interactive maps, property insights, and simple navigation to make exploration effortless. A consistent visual system and responsive layouts create a clean, approachable product experience.
We designed an interactive map experience brings lakes, parcels, and location data together, helping users quickly explore potential opportunities and understand the surrounding properties.
A clean, approachable sign-in experience introduces users to LakeMapper while showcasing the platform’s property and parcel intelligence through a visual map-led layout.
A clear pricing experience helps users compare plans, understand available features, and choose the right LakeMapper subscription for their needs.
Connecting satellite-based lake views with detailed parcel and owner information, the experience makes property boundaries, zoning, ownership, and key attributes easier to understand and evaluate.
Outcome
Business Impact
What started as UI support evolved into a strategic UX engagement, expanding the project scope, improving requirement clarity, and building greater customer confidence in design.
The Takeaway
01. UX earned a seat at the table
UI clean-up evolved into a broader UX engagement.
02. Design adapted to change
Evolving requirements made flexibility and quick thinking essential.
03. Early UX advocacy matters
Research helped bring clarity to unclear requirements.
04. Documentation created alignment
Structured documentation became the source of truth.
05. Leadership means enabling others
I focused on key UX areas while empowering the wider team.
