Designing a functional energy data dashboard for building management

Unica is a technical services provider that helps organisations manage and improve the sustainability of their buildings and installations. As part of that work, Unica needed to make energy data accessible and visually compelling for a client, not just as a technical output, but as a tool that genuinely encourages users to engage with their energy consumption.

Designing a dashboard starts with a clear concept, but getting there requires understanding both the technical context and the needs of the end user. That combination called for a specialist who could look beyond screen layouts.

The challenge

Unica needed a design for an energy data dashboard that would present a building's energy flows and performance in a way that was clear and meaningful to a range of users. The design had to be immediately usable by the development team and fully aligned with the client's requirements.

Blackbear's role

The assignment was defined as a Fixed Price engagement with a clear Definition of Done: an advisory report and fully developed wireframes in Figma or Zeplin, approved as ready for implementation. Blackbear identified an external professional with the right mix of service innovation experience and project management skills, someone who could design effectively, lead the conversation with the client, gather structured feedback, and translate everything into actionable specifications. This allowed Unica to move quickly without drawing on internal capacity for coordination.

Result

Wireframes with reports were delivered containing clear visual and functional specifications for the energy dashboard. The accompanying wireframes, fully developed in Figma or Zeplin, were approved by the client as ready for implementation, giving the development team everything they needed to proceed.