Software Application Redesign

We set out to ensure the application meets user expectations, adheres to usability principles, and aligns with our business goals.

Improve the onboarding experience for first-time users

Develop coherent UI elements, clear actions, and an end-to-end user flow that moves seamlessly from the application interface to web and back again

Update the application's look and feel

The app redesign project focused on addressing user concerns and modernizing the app to exceed industry standards. This included a complete overhaul of the user interface, the addition of missing and desired features, optimization for performance and stability, and aligning the app with market expectations. I was responsible for defining the problem and scope, auditing the current app, gathering user data, analyzing competitors and researching the industry, evaluating usability heuristics and accessibility, creating user flows, wireframing, creating hi-fidelity designs, front-end development, and validation.

AutoCure's interface was initially designed by a developer with no UX training. Despite AutoCure's initial success, the interface was outdated and no longer aligned with the evolving needs and expectations of the user base. The problem we were trying to solve for was to improve user satisfaction through onboarding, better usability, and an updated UI. The app redesign project focused on addressing user concerns and modernizing the app to exceed industry standards. This included a complete overhaul of the user interface, the addition of missing and desired features, optimization for performance and stability, and aligning the app with market expectations.

Integration of UI Elements

Developing coherent UI elements that work seamlessly across different touchpoints demands careful planning and consistency in design. Ensuring that UI components are adaptable to both the application and web interface can be complex, particularly when dealing with varying screen sizes and input methods.

User Training & Adoption

A significant challenge was introducing new UI elements, actions, or features to users during the onboarding process. Ensuring that users not only understand these changes but also find them intuitive and valuable requires effective communication and guidance.

User Frustration

Feedback from users revealed that settings were difficult and confusing to modify. Sliders were used to adjust system status and it was challenging to select the exact requirements.

User satisfaction & Retention

Visually appealing and intuitive UI enhances the overall user experience, leading to higher user satisfaction

Reduced Training Costs

A user-friendly interface can reduce the need for additional user training and in-person onboarding processes

Increased User Recommendations

Word-of-mouth recommendations can lead to organic user growth and reduce customer acquisition costs

Competitive Advantage

In a small competitive space, a well-designed app has the opportunity to set a high standard and build brand image and perception

During the user journey, we saw opportunities to teach new users how to use the app and provide feedback when they took actions like adjusting and saving settings. In the current version of the app, there was no confirmation when a setting was changed and no option to discard changes. It felt frustrating and confusing to users who want to ensure that their changes were made without needing to wait and see the temperature and humidity adjust over time. We decided to create a simple tutorial for first-time users and provide real-time feedback when a setting is adjusted and saved.

The design concepts I wanted to explore were system-wide status visibility, feedback on user actions, an onboarding tutorial, and the ability to add cure information. I created some simple wireframes to focus on the layout and usability before mocking up hi-fidelity designs.

Design concepts:

Show unit status as well as cycle status on one screen

Provide feedback when user takes an action

Introduce the app during the first time user experience

Allow valuable cure information to be added based on user input

After receiving stakeholder buy-in, I mocked up wireframes into hi-fidelity designs, starting with the first-time user experience. The user is given the option to start a tutorial or skip and exit at any time. It walks the user through by showing the most important aspects of the app along with the locations that settings can be adjusted. The tutorial is linear rather than contextual, which is something that I would change in the future given the opportunity. Contextual tips are more likely to be remembered by cutting down cognitive load.

In conclusion, we saw reports of high user satisfaction in the app and a reduced need for in-person training. Users loved the design updates and found significant value in the first time tutorial and Cure feature. As a small startup, after launch and when the project was concluded, I began the next project at AutoCure. If I were to return to this project, I would want to conduct more in-person user interviews to understand how their workflow has changed since the app’s update and what pain points there are. Since it’s been a few years, I can see more opportunities and would want to iterate on designs with more user feedback.

“We've been using the design framework you created for years and our customers love it.” - Daniel Kozlowski, AutoCure CTO