Leading German Utility Company - Anoymous Case

Mobile UX I Persona I Wireframe I Prototype I Think Aloud Testing

Timeline: 3 months

Role: Product Designer

Project Team Size: 9

Team located: remote (Germany)

Project Overview

Engaged in the German utility sector for two years, this censored project entailed my role as a Product Designer to restructure and unify user interactions. Successfully tripling our user base during this period was a notable achievement. A significant challenge I navigated was transitioning the initiation of UX design to precede coding, rather than following it.

Problem Statement

How might we reduce the number of user interactions and user interfaces so that a user can do all their daily planning within a single screen?

Research

In our research, we streamlined our focus, revealing market gaps via competitor analysis. Expert interviews highlighted fragmented user interfaces, like separate views for current and future planning. Engaging with experts ensured our solutions met real-world user needs.

Ideation

During the ideation phase, we turned to wireframes and low-fidelity sketches. These tools allowed us to visualize concepts, iterate rapidly, and foster a collaborative environment, laying a solid foundation for the design journey ahead.

Prototyping and Handover

For prototyping, we utilized Adobe XD, setting up multiple versions of our designs. With each iteration, we either received feedback for enhancements or made decisions to deprioritize elements based on the product owner's resource constraints. The handover process was iterative, ensuring seamless collaboration. In each session, I provided comprehensive designs, paired with detailed documentation and essential design system components, ensuring clarity and cohesion as the project transitioned to the next phase.

Learnings

Dwelling in the low-fidelity space for an extended period proved invaluable, especially as we encountered drastic changes during the process. Prematurely transitioning to high-fidelity prototypes could have adversely impacted our project timelines. The onset of any design journey is laden with uncertainty, and navigating this phase with flexibility and adaptability is essential. Staying patient and deliberate in the initial stages can save significant time and resources in the long run.