DarkSky
CATEGORY
Environmental
BRANDING
Concept Development / UX Writing / Visual Language / Messaging Strategy
DIGITAL
User Exprience Design / Web Tool / Interactive Map / Data Visualization
DARKSKY IS
A nonprofit on a mission to protect the night from light pollution, advocating for better policies, public education, and community action to preserve dark skies for generations to come.
They believe darkness is more than the absence of light- it’s habitat, health, heritage, and wonder.
THE OPPORTUNITY
While DarkSky has a wealth of scientific knowledge and global reach, they could use a tool that connects the issue of light pollution to people’s personal experience.
This is a concept pitch for something approachable. Tangible. Local.
The Neighborhood Night Audit: It’s part simulator, part light audit, part community data hub- all wrapped in a friendly, imaginative experience that makes people want to look up. Designed to educate, activate, and inspire.
Neighborhood Night Audit
Light pollution doesn’t just dim the stars, it affects ecosystems, health, and our connection to the cosmos. The Neighborhood Night Audit is a web-based tool designed to bring light pollution awareness to a hyperlocal level.
Built for everyday users (not policy experts), it’s part tracker, part community science platform, and part persuasive, shareable storytelling. Users can see how their neighborhood’s night sky actually looks, learn what’s contributing to excess light, and get clear, friendly steps to make things better.
Neighborhood Light Audit Quiz
Designed to be simple, thoughtful, and a little surprising, the Neighborhood Light Audit Quiz invites users to slow down and actually see the light around them. One question at a time, it gently prompts awareness: Are those porch lights motion-sensing? Is that shop sign glowing all night?
This isn’t just data collection, it’s a community mindfulness tool disguised as a quiz.
Playful prompts and a low-stakes vibe make it easy to engage, while each answer contributes to a real, growing map of light health in your city.
Turning quiet noticing into meaningful change.
A warm, welcoming intro that shifts the tone from observation to action, inviting users to take simple, meaningful steps to reclaim their night sky.
This section breaks actions into clear paths: changes you can make on your own and how to influence broader change (like shaking down to your HOA or neighbors 😉).
For users ready to go deeper, this screen offers next-level suggestions: from joining local stargazing groups to leading a community audit on your block.
Practical next steps and helpful links, like: lighting guides, shareable petitions, and DarkSky-approved product recommendations..making action easy and accessible.
Closest Dark Sky Location-
We’ll point you to the nearest certified Dark Sky place, hopefully just a short drive from where you are.
Make the most of your visit with a set of practical tips on when to go, what to pack, and how to catch the sky at its clearest.
Your beginner-friendly guide to the cosmos. Know what to bring, how to prep, and what kind of magic to expect, then tap to explore the reserve’s site and start planning your night.