CHALLENGE

CoStar’s platform surfaces extremely dense, high-value real estate data for analysts, brokers, and decision-makers. While the depth of information was a competitive advantage, the interface relied heavily on table-driven layouts that required sustained focus and frequent horizontal scanning.

This created several usability challenges:

• High cognitive load when comparing properties or markets

• Difficulty identifying key insights at a glance

• Increased friction when moving between datasets and views

The core challenge was to preserve data richness while making the experience faster to scan, easier to navigate, and less mentally taxing for expert users.

SOLUTION

I explored a shift from rigid table layouts to a modular, card-based system that could surface critical data points more efficiently.

Rather than removing information, the design reorganized it to:

• Emphasize hierarchy and visual grouping

• Allow users to scan and compare content vertically

• Reduce reliance on dense grids without sacrificing precision

This approach treated cards as containers for insight, not decoration — enabling users to extract meaning quickly before deciding where to dive deeper.

APPROACH

To support this shift, the interface was rebuilt around a more flexible, atomic design framework.

Key considerations included:

• Breaking large datasets into composable UI elements

• Creating consistent interaction patterns across screens

• Supporting responsive behavior without fragmenting the experience

Transitions and layout changes were designed to feel continuous rather than disruptive, helping users maintain context as they moved between views.

EVIDENCE OF ARCHITECTURE