product

This project involved redesigning a government funding application system used by government organizations (clients) to manage funding recommendations. The system facilitates recommending funding amounts for applicants and managing a multi-tiered approval process across several approvers before final approval is granted. The primary feature of the service is its ability to process a large volume of applications and funding awards efficiently.

problem

The project began with in-depth research, where I reviewed past enhancement request tickets and analyzed the current workflow by watching training videos about the service and exploring the system firsthand. This research helped identify key pain points and areas that required improvement. I then conducted heuristic evaluations with another designer to pinpoint usability issues within the system.
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Next, we moved into the ideation phase, creating low-fidelity wireframes to visualize potential solutions. These wireframes were presented to stakeholders to gather feedback, which was incorporated into several iterations. The design process continued with the development of high-fidelity mockups and prototypes, which modernized the UI and streamlined the user flow.

The final design focused on enhancing usability, improving efficiency, and ensuring consistency throughout the system, ultimately providing a smoother and more intuitive experience for users.

research overview

The research phase began with a comprehensive review of past enhancement request tickets to understand recurring issues and user-reported pain points. I also analyzed the existing system by exploring its functionality and reviewing internal training materials to better understand the current user flow.

I led the heuristic evaluation sessions in collaboration with another designer. This evaluation helped identify the most pressing pain points that needed addressing in the redesign, providing valuable insights to guide our next steps.
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Throughout this phase, we collaborated with internal stakeholders to gather feedback on the system’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that our research aligned with the overall objectives of the project.

Low-fidelity wireframes

I then moved into the ideation phase by creating low-fidelity wireframes. These wireframes aimed to solve the identified pain points and improve the flow of the current system. I presented these wireframes to stakeholders to gather their feedback and validate the proposed solutions.

After gathering feedback on the low-fidelity wireframes, I refined the designs and moved into the high-fidelity mockup and prototyping phase. During this stage, I focused on modernizing the UI to improve visual appeal and usability. I ensured that the design followed the established design system, maintaining consistency throughout the user interface.

I developed interactive prototypes to demonstrate the final design concept, which were then shared with internal stakeholders for additional feedback and validation.

Design Systems

During the redesign, I modernized the UI by carefully following the existing design system to ensure consistency across the platform. By doing so, I updated visual elements and maintained a cohesive look and feel, ensuring the interface was both visually appealing and user-friendly.

Lessons Learned and Insights Gained from the project

This project was an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with another UX designer and refine my skills in designing complex systems. One of the key takeaways from this experience was the importance of maintaining strong communication with stakeholders and the UX team. Regular feedback sessions ensured that the design evolved in line with user needs and business goals.

A significant challenge was navigating the multi-tiered approval process within the system. It required careful attention to detail to ensure that the design would effectively address the various user pain points without overwhelming them. The solution was to simplify interactions while retaining the necessary functionality. I learned how to balance usability with complex workflows and prioritize features that would bring the most value to users.

The project also gave me the opportunity to modernize the UI, an aspect I thoroughly enjoyed. It was rewarding to see how small design tweaks could vastly improve the overall user experience, from better visual hierarchy to more intuitive navigation. By the end of the project, the system felt more cohesive and aligned with the goals of the users and the business.

If I were to revisit the project, I would focus on incorporating more user testing earlier in the process. Although we gathered feedback from stakeholders, direct input from the end users would have added additional insights and potentially helped fine-tune the design further.

Overall, this project allowed me to refine my design process and gain deeper insight into the importance of user-centered design in a complex, approval-driven environment.