Spacedesk
This hypothetical college project involves designing a user-centric intranet platform for a multinational corporation, focusing specifically on onboarding, core functionalities, and a unique selling point (USP).
Reserach & Designing
Role
UX/UI Designer
Focus Group
EMPLOYEES
Timeline
4 WEEKS
TOOLS
Figma, photoshop
This first UX/UI project was pivotal, igniting my interest in SaaS as a niche. With no prior experience in intranet systems, I faced the challenge of designing for corporate employees' needs. Driven by extensive research, I developed "Spacedesk," a user-centric intranet platform concept.
CHALLENGE
Identifying Key Pain Points
Recognizing common challenges users face on intranet platforms enabled me to conduct a user-centric analysis targeting specific pain points. This approach deepened my understanding of user needs, guiding me to design solutions that enhance usability, engagement, and overall efficiency for daily tasks.
Intuitive
Designing an experiences that users can easily adopt and navigate without training is difficult, especially with varied user familiarity and needs.
Intuitive
Designing an experiences that users can easily adopt and navigate without training is difficult, especially with varied user familiarity and needs.
Organized data
Maintaining a clean, accessible intranet is challenging, as information can quickly become cluttered and hard to navigate without a well-structured system.
Organized data
Maintaining a clean, accessible intranet is challenging, as information can quickly become cluttered and hard to navigate without a well-structured system.
Customization
Catering to diverse user needs requires flexible customization, but balancing personalized features with platform consistency is complex.
Customization
Catering to diverse user needs requires flexible customization, but balancing personalized features with platform consistency is complex.
Exploring the Intranet Ecosystem
I gained an understanding of the significance and functionality of an intranet platform by exploring existing intranet systems. Conducted product reviews and downloaded free versions to analyze user engagement. Below is the secondary data collection.
CONTEXTUAL RESEARCH
i) Exploring and understanding the topic
Curating common interest of users
By narrowing down common user interests and synthesizing secondary data, I clarified the project’s direction and core purpose. Identifying key themes allowed me to focus on user needs, ensuring the design would enhance their intranet experience.
synthesis
i) Empathy mapping of primary user
i) Affinity mapping to pinpoint common interests
Competitor Market
During my contextual research, I analyzed numerous product reviews and demo platforms to understand task flows, gaining insight into the competitive landscape.
Competitor landscape
i) Applications spread out into quadrants based on their usage
i) Top competitors listing
User interaction with intranet platforms
Explored competitors, formulated questionnaires (several in-person), and developed unbiased user personas using icons. Key stakeholders and user inconveniences, especially regarding Slack, were delineated.
USER INsights
i) Persona mapping of users from different fields
i) Stakeholder mapping of interest by influence to find primary user
i) Negative journey of primary user while using slack platform
Reframing the goal statement
The company aims to design and implement a mobile-optimized payroll management system tailored to the needs of a medium-sized business. They referenced platforms like Keka, Darwin, and Zoho Payroll for case studies.
Emergent need
i) Applications categories into large, medium and smaller sized enterprise
Basic needs of users using intranet
Examining the core features of existing platforms was crucial to capturing the essence of an effective intranet. This research provided insights into user expectations and needs, establishing a foundation for ideation and identifying areas for innovation and improvement.
minimum viable product
i) Basic version feature/ aspects list of existing platforms
i) Listed feature list for the platform based on user needs
Creating Innovative Opportunities
Focusing on user aspirations and organizational requirements, I aimed to create a platform tailored to both current demands and future growth.
How Might we
i) The 3C's Model analysis covering 3 main segments of a business
Capturing the essence
Below, we can clearly see the differences between other designs on the left and existing competitors on the right. The competitors’ screens can feel overwhelming, but we’ll simplify by choosing a unifying color to shape our design system.
Inspirational Board
i) Screens of existing platforms and other creations
Design System Overview
A comprehensive overview of the design system includes typography, color palette, component library, and a branding style guide. This guide covers inspiration, design construction, logo variations, primary and secondary colors, and the logomark.
Design system
i) Overview of design system that includes style guide
Generating names for the platfrom
Choosing a name that resonates with users one that’s relatable, easy to spell, and pleasant to say. The goal is to create a comfortable, memorable experience from the first impression.
Brainstorming
i) Mind mapping names for the intranet platform
Work flow of 'Spacedesk'
With the platform's vibe established, the next step was to design the operational flow and apply color coding based on the functional hierarchy.
sitemap
i) Sitemap of intranet platform 'spacedesk'
Identifying Opportunities to Addressed Problems
Designing an intranet platform focused on flexibility and work-life balance to boost productivity and prioritize employee well-being in a corporate setting.
Goal statement
Open Multiple Tabs While Working
Integrate frequently used apps and platforms into a scalable interface that accommodates everything from social media thumbnails to larger displays on the same screen.
Staying Updated with Work and Social Life
Developing a dashboard that functions as a virtual office desk, effectively segregating personal and professional spaces to help users stay informed.
Screen Overloaded with Work and Data
This includes a comprehensive yearly tax deduction summary for employees of the Maintain user engagement by incorporating topics of interest, TL;DRs, a personal calendar, memories, note-taking features, and widgets for Spotify, weather forecasts, and more.. My role was to extract and verify the tax deduction summary in accordance with government regulations.
Screen Evaluation of 'Spacedesk'
Evaluating screens through heuristic principles to ensure they align with users' basic requirements and mental models.
heuristic evaluation
i) Understanding the gaps and terminologies related tax summary
Quick sketch of the screens
The low-fidelity wireframes were quick, unfancy sketches created in minutes without any references, focusing purely on layout and functionality.
Lo-fi wireframes
i) quick sketches of lo-fi wireframe on dotted paper
3 Key Improvements in Task Flow
Key improvements focused on onboarding, main functionality, and unique features, enhancing both visual appeal and functionality across the platform.
Iterations
i) Use of dropdown to select options (before)
i) Use of dash to select options (after)
i) No breathing space (before)
i) breathing space and visual hierarchy (after)
i) New interface (after)
i) overwhelming interface (before)
Spacedesk Final Screen
Here are the final screens of the intranet platform, refined through heuristic evaluation to ensure user-centered design.
Final screen
i) Final screens of spacedesk an intranet platform
prototype
i) Working of spacedesk
Cheers! Thrilled with how my first UX project turned out, and it wouldn't have been possible without digging into core UX research. Trusting the process with a unbaised opinion and learning new things alondside pushed me learn more aoung UX/UI and corporate heavy platforms.
reflection
minimum viable product
Basic needs of users using intranet
Examining the core features of existing platforms was crucial to capturing the essence of an effective intranet. This research provided insights into user expectations and needs, establishing a foundation for ideation and identifying areas for innovation and improvement.
i) Basic version feature/ aspects list of existing platforms
i) Listed feature list for the platform based on user needs
Reserach & Designing
Reserach & Designing
Spacedesk
Spacedesk
This hypothetical college project involves designing a user-centric intranet platform for a multinational corporation, focusing specifically on onboarding, core functionalities, and a unique selling point (USP).
Role
UX/UI Designer
Focus Group
EMPLOYEES
Timeline
4 WEEKS
TOOLS
Figma
This first UX/UI project was pivotal, igniting my interest in SaaS as a niche. With no prior experience in intranet systems, I faced the challenge of designing for corporate employees' needs. Driven by extensive research, I developed "Spacedesk," a user-centric intranet platform concept.
CONTEXTUAL RESEARCH
Exploring the Intranet Ecosystem
Exploring the Intranet Ecosystem
I gained an understanding of the significance and functionality of an intranet platform by exploring existing intranet systems. Conducted product reviews and downloaded free versions to analyze user engagement. Below is the secondary data collection.
I gained an understanding of the significance and functionality of an intranet platform by exploring existing intranet systems. Conducted product reviews and downloaded free versions to analyze user engagement. Below is the secondary data collection.
i) Exploring and understanding the topic
CHALLENGE
Identifying Key Pain Points
Recognizing common challenges users face on intranet platforms enabled me to conduct a user-centric analysis targeting specific pain points. This approach deepened my understanding of user needs, guiding me to design solutions that enhance usability, engagement, and overall efficiency for daily tasks.
Intuitive
Designing an experiences that users can easily adopt and navigate without training is difficult, especially with varied user familiarity and needs.
Intuitive
Designing an experiences that users can easily adopt and navigate without training is difficult, especially with varied user familiarity and needs.
Organized data
Maintaining a clean, accessible intranet is challenging, as information can quickly become cluttered and hard to navigate without a well-structured system.
Organized data
Maintaining a clean, accessible intranet is challenging, as information can quickly become cluttered and hard to navigate without a well-structured system.
Customization
Catering to diverse user needs requires flexible customization, but balancing personalized features with platform consistency is complex.
Customization
Catering to diverse user needs requires flexible customization, but balancing personalized features with platform consistency is complex.
CONTEXTUAL RESEARCH
Exploring the Intranet Ecosystem
I gained an understanding of the significance and functionality of an intranet platform by exploring existing intranet systems. Conducted product reviews and downloaded free versions to analyze user engagement. Below is the secondary data collection.
i) Exploring and understanding the topic
Identifying Key Pain Points
Recognizing common challenges users face on intranet platforms enabled me to conduct a user-centric analysis targeting specific pain points. This approach deepened my understanding of user needs, guiding me to design solutions that enhance usability, engagement, and overall efficiency for daily tasks.
CHALLENGE
Intuitive
Designing an experiences that users can easily adopt and navigate without training is difficult, especially with varied user familiarity and needs.
Intuitive
Designing an experiences that users can easily adopt and navigate without training is difficult, especially with varied user familiarity and needs.
Organized data
Maintaining a clean, accessible intranet is challenging, as information can quickly become cluttered and hard to navigate without a well-structured system.
Organized data
Maintaining a clean, accessible intranet is challenging, as information can quickly become cluttered and hard to navigate without a well-structured system.
Customization
Catering to diverse user needs requires flexible customization, but balancing personalized features with platform consistency is complex.
Customization
Catering to diverse user needs requires flexible customization, but balancing personalized features with platform consistency is complex.
Competitor landscape
Competitor Market
Competitor Market
During my contextual research, I analyzed numerous product reviews and demo platforms to understand task flows, gaining insight into the competitive landscape.
During my contextual research, I analyzed numerous product reviews and demo platforms to understand task flows, gaining insight into the competitive landscape.
i) Top competitors listing
i) Applications spread out into quadrants based on their usage
Competitor Market
During my contextual research, I analyzed numerous product reviews and demo platforms to understand task flows, gaining insight into the competitive landscape.
Competitor landscape
i) Applications spread out into quadrants based on their usage
i) Top competitors listing
User interaction with intranet platforms
Explored competitors, formulated questionnaires (several in-person), and developed unbiased user personas using icons. Key stakeholders and user inconveniences, especially regarding Slack, were delineated.
USER INsights
i) Persona mapping of users from different fields
i) Negative journey of primary user while using slack platform
i) Stakeholder mapping of interest by influence to find primary user
USER INsights
User interaction with intranet platforms
User interaction with intranet platforms
Explored competitors, formulated questionnaires (several in-person), and developed unbiased user personas using icons. Key stakeholders and user inconveniences, especially regarding Slack, were delineated.
Explored competitors, formulated questionnaires (several in-person), and developed unbiased user personas using icons. Key stakeholders and user inconveniences, especially regarding Slack, were delineated.
i) Persona mapping of users from different fields
i) Stakeholder mapping of interest by influence to find primary user
i) Negative journey of primary user while using slack platform
i) Persona mapping of users from different fields
i) Stakeholder mapping of interest by influence to find primary user
i) Negative journey of primary user while using slack platform
Curating common interest of users
By narrowing down common user interests and synthesizing secondary data, I clarified the project’s direction and core purpose. Identifying key themes allowed me to focus on user needs, ensuring the design would enhance their intranet experience.
synthesis
i) Empathy mapping of primary user
i) Affinity mapping to pinpoint common interests
synthesis
Curating common interest of users
Curating common interest of users
By narrowing down common user interests and synthesizing secondary data, I clarified the project’s direction and core purpose. Identifying key themes allowed me to focus on user needs, ensuring the design would enhance their intranet experience.
By narrowing down common user interests and synthesizing secondary data, I clarified the project’s direction and core purpose. Identifying key themes allowed me to focus on user needs, ensuring the design would enhance their intranet experience.
i) Empathy mapping of primary user
i) Affinity mapping to pinpoint common interests
i) Empathy mapping of primary user
i) Affinity mapping to pinpoint common interests
Basic needs of users using intranet
Examining the core features of existing platforms was crucial to capturing the essence of an effective intranet. This research provided insights into user expectations and needs, establishing a foundation for ideation and identifying areas for innovation and improvement.
minimum viable product
i) Basic version feature/ aspects list of existing platforms
i) Listed feature list for the platform based on user needs
Creating Innovative Opportunities
Focusing on user aspirations and organizational requirements, I aimed to create a platform tailored to both current demands and future growth.
How Might we
i) The 3C's Model analysis covering 3 main segments of a business
Capturing the essence
Below, we can clearly see the differences between other designs on the left and existing competitors on the right. The competitors’ screens can feel overwhelming, but we’ll simplify by choosing a unifying color to shape our design system.
Inspirational Board
i) Screens of existing platforms and other creations
Design system
Design System Overview
A comprehensive overview of the design system includes typography, color palette, component library, and a branding style guide. This guide covers inspiration, design construction, logo variations, primary and secondary colors, and the logomark.
i) Overview of design system that includes style guide
Screen Evaluation of 'Spacedesk'
Evaluating screens through heuristic principles to ensure they align with users' basic requirements and mental models.
heuristic evaluation
i) Understanding the gaps and terminologies related tax summary
Generating names for the platfrom
Choosing a name that resonates with users one that’s relatable, easy to spell, and pleasant to say. The goal is to create a comfortable, memorable experience from the first impression.
Brainstorming
i) Mind mapping names for the intranet platform
Identifying Opportunities to Addressed Problems
Designing an intranet platform focused on flexibility and work-life balance to boost productivity and prioritize employee well-being in a corporate setting.
Goal statement
Staying Updated with Work and Social Life
Developing a dashboard that functions as a virtual office desk, effectively segregating personal and professional spaces to help users stay informed.
Screen Overloaded with Work and Data
Maintain user engagement by incorporating topics of interest, TL;DRs, a personal calendar, memories, note-taking features, and widgets for Spotify, weather forecasts, and more.
Open Multiple Tabs While Working
Integrate frequently used apps and platforms into a scalable interface that accommodates everything from social media thumbnails to larger displays on the same screen.
Work flow of 'Spacedesk'
With the platform's vibe established, the next step was to design the operational flow and apply color coding based on the functional hierarchy.
sitemap
i) Sitemap of intranet platform 'spacedesk'
Quick sketch of the screens
Listing features screen by screen based on the task flow to map out the complete feature set of the payroll management system.
i) Feature list of payroll management system
Lo-fi wireframes
Spacedesk Final Screen
Here are the final screens of the intranet platform, refined through heuristic evaluation to ensure user-centered design.
Final screen
i) Final screens of spacedesk an intranet platform
3 Key Improvements in Task Flow
Key improvements focused on onboarding, main functionality, and unique features, enhancing both visual appeal and functionality across the platform.
Iterations
i) Use of dropdown to select options (before)
i) Use of dash to select options (after)
i) overwhelming interface (before)
i) breathing space and visual hierarchy (after)
i) New interface (after)
i) No breathing space (before)
prototype
i) Working of spacedesk
Cheers! Thrilled with how my first UX project turned out, and it wouldn't have been possible without digging into core UX research. Trusting the process with a unbaised opinion and learning new things alondside pushed me learn more aoung UX/UI and corporate heavy platforms.
reflection
CHALLENGE
Identifying Key Pain Points
Recognizing common challenges users face on intranet platforms enabled me to conduct a user-centric analysis targeting specific pain points. This approach deepened my understanding of user needs, guiding me to design solutions that enhance usability, engagement, and overall efficiency for daily tasks.
Intuitive
Designing an experiences that users can easily adopt and navigate without training is difficult, especially with varied user familiarity and needs.
Organized data
Maintaining a clean, accessible intranet is challenging, as information can quickly become cluttered and hard to navigate without a well-structured system.
Customization
Catering to diverse user needs requires flexible customization, but balancing personalized features with platform consistency is complex.
minimum viable product + Feature list
Basic needs of users using intranet
Examining the core features of existing platforms was crucial to capturing the essence of an effective intranet. This research provided insights into user expectations and needs, establishing a foundation for ideation and identifying areas for innovation and improvement.
i) Basic version feature/ aspects list of existing platforms
i) Listed feature list for the platform based on user needs
How Might we
Creating Innovative Opportunities
Creating Innovative Opportunities
Focusing on user aspirations and organizational requirements, I aimed to create a platform tailored to both current demands and future growth.
Focusing on user aspirations and organizational requirements, I aimed to create a platform tailored to both current demands and future growth.
i) positive user journey in user after adding feature list
Goal statement + USP
Identifying Opportunities to Addressed Problems
Identifying Opportunities to Addressed Problems
Designing an intranet platform focused on flexibility and work-life balance to boost productivity and prioritize employee well-being in a corporate setting.
Staying Updated with Work and Social Life
Developing a dashboard that functions as a virtual office desk, effectively segregating personal and professional spaces to help users stay informed.
Open Multiple Tabs While Working
Integrate frequently used apps and platforms into a scalable interface that accommodates everything from social media thumbnails to larger displays on the same screen.
Screen Overloaded with Work and Data
Maintain user engagement by incorporating topics of interest, TL;DRs, a personal calendar, memories, note-taking features, and widgets for Spotify, weather forecasts, and more.
Staying Updated with Work and Social Life
Developing a dashboard that functions as a virtual office desk, effectively segregating personal and professional spaces to help users stay informed.
Open Multiple Tabs While Working
Integrate frequently used apps and platforms into a scalable interface that accommodates everything from social media thumbnails to larger displays on the same screen.
Screen Overloaded with Work and Data
Maintain user engagement by incorporating topics of interest, TL;DRs, a personal calendar, memories, note-taking features, and widgets for Spotify, weather forecasts, and more.
Inspirational Board
Capturing the essence
Capturing the essence
Below, we can clearly see the differences between other designs on the left and existing competitors on the right. The competitors’ screens can feel overwhelming, but we’ll simplify by choosing a unifying color to shape our design system.
i) Screens of existing platforms and other creations
Brainstorming
Generating names for the platfrom
Generating names for the platfrom
Choosing a name that resonates with users one that’s relatable, easy to spell, and pleasant to say. The goal is to create a comfortable, memorable experience from the first impression.
Choosing a name that resonates with users one that’s relatable, easy to spell, and pleasant to say. The goal is to create a comfortable, memorable experience from the first impression.
i) Mind mapping names for the intranet platform
i) Mind mapping names for the intranet platform
Design system
Design System Overview
A comprehensive overview of the design system includes typography, color palette, component library, and a branding style guide. This guide covers inspiration, design construction, logo variations, primary and secondary colors, and the logomark.
i) Overview of design system that includes style guide
i) Overview of design system that includes style guide
sitemap
Work flow of 'Spacedesk'
With the platform's vibe established, the next step was to design the operational flow and apply color coding based on the functional hierarchy.
With the platform's vibe established, the next step was to design the operational flow and apply color coding based on the functional hierarchy.
i) Sitemap of intranet platform 'spacedesk'
Lo-fi wireframes
Quick sketch of the screens
Quick sketch of the screens
The low-fidelity wireframes were quick, unfancy sketches created in minutes without any references, focusing purely on layout and functionality.
i) quick sketches of lo-fi wireframe on dotted paper
Iterations
3 Key Improvements in Task Flow
3 Key Improvements in Task Flow
Key improvements focused on onboarding, main functionality, and unique features, enhancing both visual appeal and functionality across the platform.
Key improvements focused on onboarding, main functionality, and unique features, enhancing both visual appeal and functionality across the platform.
Before
After
i) Use of dropdown to select options
i) Use of dash to select options
i) No breathing space
i) breathing space and visual hierarchy
i) overwhelming interface
i) New interface
heuristic evaluation
Screen Evaluation of 'Spacedesk'
Screen Evaluation of 'Spacedesk'
Evaluating screens through heuristic principles to ensure they align with users' basic requirements and mental models.
i) Heuristic evaluation of 'spacedesk' to check the gaps
Final screen
Spacedesk Final Screen
Spacedesk Final Screen
Here are the final screens of the intranet platform, refined through heuristic evaluation to ensure user-centered design.
i) Final screens of spacedesk an intranet platform
prototype
i) Working of spacedesk
reflection