Role: Lead Designer
What was done: User research, information architecture, site-maps, wireframes, prototypes, design, presentations
Tools: Figma, Adobe XD, Balsamiq
Company: Economic Research Institute
Team: Designers, Developers, Product Manager
Year: 2023
Geographic Assessor Main Interface - created in Figma
Overview
The Geographic Assessor software makes it easy to calculate geographic cost of labor differentials. Helping compensation professionals and companies use the geographic wage differential data to accurately set branch office salary structures, calculate adjustments for cost of living differences, and more.
My roles in this project were to take ownership of the end-to-end software design for the user experience and user interface, lead and conduct user testing and feedback reviews, collaborate with developers, product managers and other designers, and present our ideas to executives and compensation experts in all phases of the design process to improve and iterate until the final product is ready to be delivered.
This Case Study presents the process of revamping the interface of a complex, data-driven software program and to create new user flows that meet the needs of current clients and prospective customers.
Problem
Geographic Assessor has all the data and features users need. However, the current interface is cumbersome and navigating it can get frustrating.
Geographic Assessor has all the data and features users need. However, the current interface is cumbersome and navigating it can get frustrating.
Quotes from user interviews and internal discussions
Approach
After conducting user interviews and numerous internal discussions, we were able to identify the main pain points with Geographic Assessor.
From there we established goals and challenges to give our design direction and focus.
From there we established goals and challenges to give our design direction and focus.
Goals:
1. Revamp the user interface to make navigation easier and clearer
2. Adjust layout to make sure priority functions and features are highlighted
3. Improve and modernize the visual fidelity of the interface
Challenges:
1. Creating a data-rich interface without causing information overload
2. Simplifying complex features so users can easily use them
3. Resistance from legacy users
Site Map created in Figma
Sample User Journey created in Figma
A snapshot of our Site Map and User Journey
Once we had our goals, we continued with our user-centered design process which included:
1. Competitor Analysis, User testing and A/B Testing
2. Finalizing our Information Architecture by creating a site map, adjusting user flows, and journey mapping
3. Wireframes and rapid prototypes which includes numerous iterations and testing
4. Final Design and Presentation
2. Finalizing our Information Architecture by creating a site map, adjusting user flows, and journey mapping
3. Wireframes and rapid prototypes which includes numerous iterations and testing
4. Final Design and Presentation
Wireframes in various fidelities
Design
With the layout and structure finalized, we used the updated design system to create the final design for the user interface. A few key points that needed to be addressed are as follows:
1. Dynamic and modular layout to allow users to customize the way they view the interface
2. Ability for the interface to work with web, desktop, and tablet view
3. Geographic Assessor's own brand identity that sets it apart from ERI's other main product (Salary Assessor)
2. Ability for the interface to work with web, desktop, and tablet view
3. Geographic Assessor's own brand identity that sets it apart from ERI's other main product (Salary Assessor)
Toolbar Interface. User can customize the data to fit their needs using these tools.
Simple customization of data for users using rent information
For more granular control, home owners have more custom data for accurate representation
Simple toolbar adjustments are shown in dropdowns (left) while more detailed functions appear as a modal (right)
Location, Location, Location
It was imperative that users can easily navigate the interface without getting overloaded with unnecessary information.
With this new interface, users can easily locate the sidepanel on the left which has the upper level features of Geographic Assessor, the toolbar at the top which controls the main panel's data, the main panel which has the most important information for the user (with the graphs and visuals located below the fold), and the area selection panel on the right where the users can easily select the data set they want to view.
Users have the ability to adjust the width of the main panel and side panel to see more information. Each panel independently scrolls when needed so important data can remain on-screen while the user browses through the main panel.
Users can select and save destinations they want to compare with base on the right panel
Economic indicators show a more detailed comparison of the two areas
Base Area can be selected from thousands of data from ERI
Home owners can adjust their payment assumptions for more granular control
Above are a few interface snapshots of the different software features
Next Steps
Internal feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We are now in the process of rolling out the interface changes to a select group of clients to gather their feedback on the new UI.
The Impact
Increased customer satisfaction
Increased new business sign-ups
Increased subscription upgrades from current clients