Case Study

Teniz

Role:

Product Designer, UX Researcher

Timline:

2024

Scope:

Side project with a surfer friend

Industry:

Sports technology, Surf forecasting, Consumer apps

Context & Scope

Surf forecasting tools often present large amounts of technical data that can be difficult to interpret—especially for casual or intermediate surfers. Teniz began as a side project to explore how complex wave and weather information could be translated into something practical, readable, and useful.

The goal was not to build the most comprehensive forecasting engine, but to design an interface that helps users quickly answer a simple question: Is it worth going surfing?

Features & System Design

Teniz brings together multiple data points into a single, consistent system:

Wave height, swell period, and wave energy
Wind speed and direction
Tide levels and timing
Spot-specific forecasts

Rather than isolating each metric, the interface focuses on how these factors relate to one another, helping users understand overall surf quality instead of interpreting numbers in isolation.

Approach

The product was designed around clarity and decision-making rather than raw data density.

Key design considerations included:

Making technical surf data understandable at a glance
Balancing accuracy with simplicity
Supporting both location-based discovery and manual spot tracking
Presenting past, current, and future forecasts in a coherent flow

Users can explore nearby surf spots using their location, add and track favourite spots, view historical and upcoming conditions, and set alerts to be notified when waves match their preferences.

Outcome

Teniz resulted in a functional, thoughtfully designed surf forecasting app that demonstrated how complex environmental data could be shaped into a calm, user-friendly experience.

Beyond the product itself, the project served as an exploration of data-driven UX, information hierarchy, and how design choices influence confidence and decision-making in real-world scenarios.

Reflections

Working on Teniz reinforced the importance of empathy when designing data-heavy products. Even highly informed users benefit from clarity, context, and visual cues that reduce cognitive load and support better decisions.