My Role
Sole UX Designer
Developed and maintained a design language
User research, prototyping, UI design
Developer collaboration
Date
July 2022 - May 2023
Background
WorkFlow, a shipping agent software, had accumulated numerous features and complexities over time, leading to productivity bottlenecks. Developed by multiple teams without a cohesive style guide, the application suffered from inconsistent design and functionality across various tasks. The interface presented all available tasks to every user, resulting in cluttered and overwhelming experiences for shipping agents responsible for only 4-5 specific tasks during a shipment. Large data tables with numerous columns further compounded the issue, making it difficult to read and comprehend critical information.
Old Total WorkFlow application
User Research and Discovery
To deeply understand user needs and pain points, I conducted a series of interviews, observations, and surveys with shipping agents actively using the WorkFlow application. Key insights from this research included:
Overwhelming interfaces displaying too many irrelevant tasks and information.
Inconsistent design patterns and workflows across different task areas.
Difficulty in quickly accessing and interpreting critical shipment data.
Frustration with navigating through multiple screens to complete a single task.
Inconsistent design patterns and workflows across different task areas.
Difficulty in quickly accessing and interpreting critical shipment data.
Frustration with navigating through multiple screens to complete a single task.
Design Strategy
Based on the research findings, my design strategy focused on simplifying the user experience, improving information architecture, and establishing consistent design patterns. The core objectives were:
Streamlining the interface by presenting only relevant tasks and information to each user based on their role and responsibilities.
Creating a cohesive design system with unified visual styles, interaction patterns, and workflows.
Optimizing data visualization and presentation for quick comprehension and decision-making.
Consolidating related tasks and information onto fewer screens to minimize navigation efforts.
Creating a cohesive design system with unified visual styles, interaction patterns, and workflows.
Optimizing data visualization and presentation for quick comprehension and decision-making.
Consolidating related tasks and information onto fewer screens to minimize navigation efforts.
Early ideation
Ideation
From the research insights, I focused on simplifying the information architecture and workflows. Top priorities included:
Creating a customizable dashboard with tasks only relevant to the user.
Separating tasks into manageable chunks.
Implementing customizable tables and filters to help users narrow down tasks.
Separating tasks into manageable chunks.
Implementing customizable tables and filters to help users narrow down tasks.
Final App Design
Iterative Prototyping and User Testing
Starting with low-fidelity wireframes, I explored different information architecture and layout concepts, rapidly iterating based on stakeholder feedback and usability testing sessions with shipping agents. As the designs evolved, I incorporated visual design elements and interactions, creating interactive prototypes for comprehensive user testing.
Throughout the iterative design and testing cycles, key improvements included:
Role-based dashboards displaying only relevant tasks and shipment data.
Consistent design patterns and interactions across all task areas.
Streamlined data visualization with clear labeling and logical grouping.
Consolidated task flows minimizing unnecessary navigation and screen transitions.
I performed timed testing on specific tasks requested by project managers, comparing the existing and redesigned versions. Since this was an internal application, it was easy to involve daily users in the testing process. Iterations were made between rounds of testing, with each round directly informing design improvements.
Consistent design patterns and interactions across all task areas.
Streamlined data visualization with clear labeling and logical grouping.
Consolidated task flows minimizing unnecessary navigation and screen transitions.
I performed timed testing on specific tasks requested by project managers, comparing the existing and redesigned versions. Since this was an internal application, it was easy to involve daily users in the testing process. Iterations were made between rounds of testing, with each round directly informing design improvements.
The Final Design
The redesigned WorkFlow application provided a user-centered experience tailored to the specific needs of shipping agents. Role-based dashboards presented a focused view of relevant tasks and shipment information, reducing cognitive load and improving efficiency.
A comprehensive design system established consistent visual styles, interaction patterns, and workflows across all task areas, creating a cohesive and intuitive experience. Optimized data visualization techniques, such as logical grouping, clear labeling, and interactive filtering, facilitated quick comprehension and decision-making.
Furthermore, consolidating related tasks and information onto fewer screens minimized navigation efforts, allowing shipping agents to complete their core responsibilities more efficiently.
The Impact
Quantitative and qualitative feedback from shipping agents validated the success of the redesigned WorkFlow application:
Quantitative and qualitative feedback from shipping agents validated the success of the redesigned WorkFlow application:
Task completion times decreased by an average of 40%.
Positive comments highlighted the streamlined interfaces, consistent experiences, and improved data accessibility.
The user-centered design approach not only addressed the initial challenges but also laid a solid foundation for future enhancements and scalability within the WorkFlow platform.
Positive comments highlighted the streamlined interfaces, consistent experiences, and improved data accessibility.
The user-centered design approach not only addressed the initial challenges but also laid a solid foundation for future enhancements and scalability within the WorkFlow platform.
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