ROLE
Product Designer
COLLABORATORS
Greg Thibeault
Daniel Sink
Cheyenne Gold
David Miller
SKILLS
Learning Design
Prototyping
VR/AR Design
3D Design
THE OUTCOME
Created an interactive & accessible training experience, resulting in 80% increase in retention of domain knowledge usability with the overall system & an increase in sales
VigilantHalo was a new product created by BlueHalo—an intricate combination of RF (radio frequency) capabilities that only the engineers within the product portfolio fully understood, and it wasn’t selling. I developed two types of training to create an immersive learning experience, aimed at reducing the effort required by BD members when communicating with interested parties.
THE CHALLENGE
What is VigilantHalo & why does it require training?
VigilantHalo integrates data processing, fusion tracking, and communications, enabling operators to monitor and separate air traffic across diverse mission environments. From Air Traffic Control (ATC) to Missile Defense, it provides mission-critical insights through sensor fusion and tailored visualization.
Despite its robust capabilities, VigilantHalo lacked a comprehensive training program. Both users and business development members struggled to understand and articulate its full potential, limiting operational efficiency and sales impact. The engineers on the team had developed an initial prototype of a 'visualizer'—a tool potentially useful for showcasing the product to future customers. However, it was confined to just two iPads since it was built using Unity.
THE PRELIMINARY IDEA
Analyzing 3D softwares to create an immersive gamified experience
After reviewing the prototype and consulting with stakeholders, I refined the outline of the visualization to highlight the truck's hardware and mission-specific scenarios. To enhance the learning experience, I leaned towards a more gamified approach to boost knowledge retention and increase motivation. Instead of simply replicating PowerPoint training, I wanted to a fresh, interactive experience that could also support as a selling point in sales conversations.
outline or previous visualizer
Storyboard complete — now, how do I bring it to life in 3D?
Clarity over complexity
3D can get overwhelming fast. Visuals needed to be clean & focused.
Anchored learning points
Users need to connect information to what they're seeing.
Progressive disclosure
Information needs to be introduced gradually.
Collaborating cross-functionally to create a holistic learning experience
At the start of the project, VigilantHalo did not have a dedicated business development team member. To gather critical insights that would support sales efforts, I collaborated directly with engineers who interfaced with customers at sales meetings and industry conferences.
Partway through the project, a business development specialist officially joined the team. This shifted our approach: I collaborated with him to refine and prioritize content based on real sales needs. One major pain point quickly surfaced -> understanding how all the moving parts of the system connected. This insight became a cornerstone of the training program’s design, ensuring it bridged knowledge gaps and empowered the sales team to tell a more cohesive story.
THE VISUALIZER
A delightful place to start
While it was essential to meet the project's functional goals, I also focused on elevating the user experience through delight and immersion, key principles aligned with Nielsen Norman Group’s usability heuristics around aesthetic and minimalist design, and user control. I introduced dynamic camera movements, intuitive interaction patterns, and clear navigation structures to make exploration feel natural and rewarding. Every element was designed to minimize cognitive load while creating moments of engagement that encouraged users to stay curious and confident.
I had to rebuild a lot of the 3D elements because they were corrupted from Unity which is why you can see some differences in material/texture in the reimagined visualizer, especially in the inside of the truck. In situations where I needed a quick fix, I'd rebuild smaller elements in Womp3D and transfer them in to complete scenes.
Solving the problem from both sides
After the visualizer was completed, I identified a need to support users who preferred a traditional learning experience or were sensitive to motion-based interactions, informed by my previous work with business development team members and conversations with the assigned business dev member for VigilantHalo. In response, I developed a supplementary training deck designed for broader accessibility and ease of understanding. This deck also became a flexible asset for future product-specific initiatives, offering a clear and structured product breakdown when needed.
Prioritizing accessibility ensured that the training experience remained inclusive without sacrificing clarity or engagement.
THE FINAL SOLUTION
A delightful mix of 3D and AR capabilities
The final training pieced together that's mobile & desktop friendly.
Closing the Halo
The redesigned training system led to major improvements: usability retention jumped by 80%, and the stronger business development enablement helped boost sales conversions. Its scalable design also future-proofed the experience, setting it up for continued growth as needs evolve. On the user side, I saw big wins by doing some simple testing with business development to certify a smaller learning curve that shortened onboarding time, higher engagement through interactive, immersive training, and positive stakeholder feedback highlighting improved training efficiency.
