Overview
My client uses a primary payroll application to administer payroll for their customers. It is quite an intensive and complex application, only available on desktop, used by payroll professionals.
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My client decided to launch a simpler version of this software for small business owners who have little to no experience in payroll but would prefer to take care of it themselves as opposed to hiring a payroll professional.
Objectives
The objective was to
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Simplify the process of administering payroll for small business owners
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Optimize an app for mobile/tablet usage
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Improve usability
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Re-adapting the marketing branding to create a style guide suitable for the app
Challenges
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Reframing existing ideas of how the UI should look, based on a user approach and research as opposed to what is deemed appropriate for a payroll company
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Working on several areas and aspects of the product with different priorities/deliverables
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Advocating for change and pushing the importance of a well-executed UI
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Familiarizing myself with and learning about the payroll world
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Keeping the company values evident through the UI and app design
Sitemap
I started off by doing some comparative analysis, not only with other related apps but also with popular user centric products.
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Next, I had a brainstorming session with other members of the team to outline the necessary steps in the user flow and the sitemap.
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I analyzed the current application and gathered user feedback from employees that work directly with clients, as well as user reviews to determine where the problem areas were.
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I had a few conversations with marketing and branding teams to understand the how and why behind the new branding.
UI Components
I started working on a Style Guide based on the new branding guidelines and referencing stakeholder interviews as well as the current application.
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I created design elements and components, paying attention to details such as micro interactions and transitions which I believed gave a refined edge to modern interfaces.
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The goal was to create a modern and simple UI to take away from the daunting experience of learning how to administer payroll. I wanted to create plenty of breathing space through light colours and white backgrounds, in contrast with the company's core colours and adding an element of fun with the vibrant colors of the dashboard's charts.
Final Product
The initial redesign was tested, on a primary level, amongst stakeholders and employees. The response to the new UI was favorable and encouraging. People seemed please with the clean look.
Conclusion
Working on the UI re-design was a refreshing experience. It was very satisfying to be able to compare the original application to current trends and understand where the app was lacking against competitors as well as expectations.
This projects shows that UI is part of the User Experience and a well executed design brings reassurance and trust in users as they recognize the expertise, care and resources that went behind the process of creating an enjoyable and well designed interface.