Situation
The Actian Data Platform offers a unified solution for data management, integration, and processing. However, its current design creates a fragmented user experience with separately designed pages, causing navigation difficulties and inconsistent UI patterns.
Task
Redesign the platform to create an intuitive experience that allows users to complete tasks efficiently and with greater confidence.
Approach
I led the creation of a new visual design and developed a comprehensive design system to ensure consistent UI/UX across the platform. Additionally, I designed interactive prototypes and assisted in restructuring the information architecture and navigation.
Results
The usability scale score increased from 72 to 88, and task completion rates improved by 45% compared to the previous design.
Actian Data Platform Redesign
Table of contents
Project overview
Personas
User journey
Three design targets
Problems with old design
Design solutions
Results
Next steps
Lessons learned
In collaboration with the research team, we identified three target user groups and gained insights into their goals, pain points, expectations, and technical expertise. We found that in small companies, a single individual often takes on multiple roles, encompassing the responsibilities of all user groups.
Personas
After interviewing over 20 users and engaging in extensive team discussions, we created a streamlined end-to-end user journey for the platform. Although user groups may overlap and collaborate occasionally, their primary tasks and interests are distinct.
User journey
Three design targets
We pinpointed the root causes of users' pain points and established a roadmap to address these issues, focusing on key areas to enhance the overall user experience.
Poor information architecture and navigation.
The information architecture and navigation were poor designed. Users struggled navigating through the platform with secondary navigation being buried.
Problems with the old design
Inconsistent UIUX
The experience was complicated by over 200 areas of inconsistency, with each page designed in isolation, making the platform difficult to adopt.
Underutilized homepage
The featured capabilities are limited and do not fully support all user journeys. Only a few data visualizations are available, and there are no recommendations for further actions.
Revamping the information architecture and navigation
Information architecture and navigation are the core structure of the platform. We started looking into it and ran a series of user testing including tree testing and usability testing. As we iterated on the design, we tested each version with users to gather their feedback and refine the experience.
Design solutions
New design foundations and guidelines
To ensure efficiency and consistency, I developed the design system using Google Material 3 and HCL Design Language and created detailed guidelines for foundations and reusable components.
I built new data visualizations that can present data more accurately and highlight the key information, which also can inform the user to take the next appropriate action.
Customizable homepage
On the home page, I added new features including customizing dashboard and switching the color theme at ease so each user can set up the platform per their preferences.
Users can easily customize the layout of the homepage by selecting and dragging cards.
Users can easily switch the color theme.
Consistent UIUX across the platform
The layout and visual representations were created using foundations, reusable components, and templates from the design system. Each screen of the platform is consistent and well-organized.
Before finalizing the design directions, we quickly validated them with 5 potential new users. The prototype received positive feedback, with the usability scale score improving from 72 to 88. Additionally, the task completion rate increased by 45% compared to the old design.
Results
Ownership & teamwork: Ownership was crucial for achieving our goals and significantly enhanced our collaboration. By taking responsibility, team members were more motivated and engaged, which in turn drove effective teamwork.
Process improvements: We found that communication with engineering and product teams was challenging, especially for technical questions. Improving communication channels and protocols will be crucial for better cross-functional collaboration in the future.
Lesson learned
Roadmap prioritization: Continually expand design solutions and share the design vision with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) for feedback and alignment.
Customer testing: Collect feedback from customers and internal teams to refine and align the design further.
Implementation: Develop a roadmap for QA testing and implementation strategies, collaborating with cross-functional partners.
Next steps