Tridonic - Zumtobel Group
Senior Product Designer
6 months
LITEKIT, a Lighting Management System from Tridonic (Zumtobel Group), was initially released in 2014. Over time, it became evident that the software's functionalities, developed in silos without a cohesive end-to-end user journey, resulted in a complex system that was difficult to maintain, develop, and use. By the end of 2019, LITEKIT required a comprehensive redesign to simplify its interface and improve usability.
I undertook a comprehensive redesign of LITEKIT, focusing on extensive user research, heuristic analysis, and iterative design to create a more intuitive and efficient experience. This process aimed to bring alignment and coherence to the system, making it more user-friendly and functional.
My primary goals were to simplify the user interface, enhance overall system functionality, reduce the time required for technical tasks, and increase user satisfaction and engagement. I aimed to create a cohesive, streamlined experience that met business and user needs.
As the Senior Product Designer, I led a team of two designers. My responsibilities included managing the end-to-end UX design process, from initial research and analysis to creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs. I collaborated closely with stakeholders, developers, and QAs to ensure the successful implementation of our design solutions.
Since I was new to the lighting industry, I conducted a heuristic analysis to evaluate LITEKIT with fresh, unbiased eyes. This helped me identify common usability issues and prioritize them based on their impact on the user experience. I shared my findings with the development team to evangelize UX across the company and estimate the effort required to address these issues.
I conducted a thorough analysis of all existing functionalities to ensure I didn't break any critical features. This included mapping the current user flow and documenting detailed descriptions of each functionality, including user personas, goals, and technical constraints.
Through conversations with stakeholders, I identified key user profiles: the end-user, the commissioner (technician engineer/electrician), and the building manager. Understanding their needs and pain points was crucial for designing a user-centered solution.
I reached out to internal users and conducted interviews to gather insights about their experiences with LITEKIT. Recording these sessions allowed me to review and analyze user feedback in detail, informing my design decisions.
I performed a competitor analysis to understand how other companies addressed similar challenges. This helped me generate ideas and identify best practices to incorporate into our redesign.
I restructured the navigation to create a logical organization and hierarchy of functionalities. This allowed users to navigate the system more intuitively and efficiently.
Based on the data collected, I created high-level sketches and iterated them to visualize the entire concept. These wireframes formed the foundation for my design process.
I developed simple click-through prototypes to validate our wireframes and user flows with real users. Observing their interactions and gathering feedback helped me refine my designs.
Once confident with the wireframes, I transitioned to creating high-fidelity mockups. This included defining the product's visual appearance and ensuring consistency with the Tridonic Design System.
I conducted another round of user testing with high-fidelity prototypes, gathering more detailed feedback. This iterative process allowed me to make informed design decisions and further enhance the user experience.
I presented the proposal to the Product Owner community, explaining our design process and the data-driven decisions behind it. This meeting was crucial for gaining buy-in and highlighting the importance of user-centered design.
Despite positive feedback, the decision was made not to implement the proposal immediately due to existing architectural limitations and prioritization of specific customer needs. However, the groundwork was laid for future improvements.
Although the proposal was not implemented immediately, the project provided valuable insights and laid the foundation for future enhancements. I established a user-centered approach and a clear roadmap for addressing usability issues.
This project underscored the importance of balancing user needs with business goals. It highlighted the value of thorough research, iterative design, and close collaboration with stakeholders. Moving forward, I will continue to advocate for user-centered design while aligning with strategic business objectives.
By approaching complex challenges with dedication, collaboration, and a user-centered mindset, I strive to create impactful and efficient design solutions that enhance both user experiences and business outcomes.