Situation
Informatica offers data management solutions for integrating, securing, and governing data. They aimed to improve engagement with users and create a more enjoyable experience, as the existing platform design felt overly technical and uninviting.
Task
Develop new design patterns with visually appealing elements to improve the user experience and make the platform more inviting.
Approach
I developed a library of engaging illustrations to simplify complex concepts through visual storytelling. I also created new design patterns and comprehensive guidelines to ensure consistency and effectiveness in user engagement. By collaborating with designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers, I ensured that the illustrations and components were seamlessly integrated into the product, meeting both user needs and technical requirements.
Results
The updated design, featuring new illustrations and patterns, made users feel more welcomed and successful, facilitating easier adaptation to the platform.
Informatica’s Platform Experience
Table of contents
Project overview
Understanding users
Guided experience
Step-by-step onboarding
Default home
Connection creation
Success confirmation
Illustration library & guidelines
Component documentations
Understanding users
To better understand our users, I began by studying various personas. Researchers identified six key personas as the most promising prospective users, so I focused on these to tailor our design efforts effectively.
The first-time user experience is guided by a non-dismissible banner that prompts users to set up a runtime environment. To enhance this, we use a small illustration and an organic background pattern, which support the content and create a positive, engaging vibe.
Guided experience
After completing the initial action, users unlock additional features displayed in small panels. A large, dismissible banner then appears to guide users on the next optional action, providing helpful prompts while allowing flexibility.
Once the runtime environment is set up, an onboarding modal appears. It provides an overview that clearly explains how to set up a connector, a required step that can vary for each user.
Step-by-step onboarding
After setting up their connector, users are presented with a default home screen featuring panels for recommended primary, secondary, and tertiary actions. These options are readily accessible, allowing users to take action without needing to navigate through menus.
Default home
Primary Action Panels: These are the most critical actions, featured prominently at the top of the page with larger illustrations to catch attention.
Secondary Action Panels: These assistive, frequently used actions are positioned below the primary panels, smaller in size with simpler icons for easy access.
Tertiary Action Panels: These panels feature useful but non-essential actions that enhance the user experience. Positioned lower on the page, they include small, uplifting illustrations designed to create an emotional connection and add enjoyment to the experience.
To clarify the concepts of source and target for first-time users, we added illustrative visuals accompanied by supportive text. These illustrations help users grasp these concepts more easily and intuitively.
Connection creation
To celebrate task completion and encourage users, we added a small animated illustration to the corner of the success confirmation message. This feature aims to provide a sense of excitement and accomplishment throughout the experience.
Success confirmation
I developed a comprehensive illustration library, including small objects, medium spot illustrations, large scenery illustrations, and persona profiles. I also provided detailed guidelines to ensure a consistent style for future expansions, allowing any illustrator to seamlessly adopt and extend the design.
Illustration library and guidelines
For each new component I built and shipped, I provided comprehensive documentation for both developers and designers. These documents are stored in Informatica’s existing design system for easy reference and consistency.
Component documentations