Product Designer @ LYNK
Software used: Figma
About the project:
I joined LYNK as the first product designer on the project to create a desktop video chat software for remote workers on a trading floor. I designed their UI, solidified their branding (logo design, colour scheme & typography), and followed essential UX practices to ensure all aspects of the product aligned with their mission and target audience.
Understanding the problem:
Before starting the project, I took the time to understand the project and the problems people were facing. As mentioned, LYNK is a desktop video chat software for remote workers on a trading floor. Traders have always been in office so they haven’t needed a messaging software, however since people have gone more remote after the pandemic, they have found it difficult to connect to each other from a home setting.
So a senior trader came up with LYNK, a new niche video chat software designed to help bring the employees together in a natural, simple, and efficient way without distractions, when they’re working from home.
User research:
Before creating any designs, I did in-depth user research where we spoke to some traders about their experiences with current video chat software. We found out what they liked, didn't like, and why. We also learnt what features they'd find helpful within LYNK's software. We did this research by conducting interviews. I put together several questions the founder asked his co-workers during his time at the office. We'd be testing the software on this trading floor with many senior staff members, so their feedback was very valuable to our development process.
Once I had received the qualitative data, I found common themes, and organised requested features in priority order. I also internally spoke to the rest of the team at LYNK, to learn more about their mission, their target audience, their product development timeline and design history.
Sketching initial wireframes:
Once I had a solid understanding of the problem & what the target users were looking for, I then started sketching some initial wireframes and user flows. I included features requested by the users, keeping them at the core of all my design decisions.
Before I arrived, the founder had sketched his initial ideas, which I could use to build on. It gave me a good idea of what he was looking for, and in this case, as the founder was also the target audience, it was a very beneficial insight.
User research:
Once the wireframes and user flows were designed, I discussed them within the team first, and then with the same trading floor we'd interviewed previously. I wanted to ensure that they understood the flow, could carry out necessary actions (e.g. finding a new contact), and that their desired features were included.
Some questions I asked them included:
On first impression, what do you think this product does?
Please show me how you would you change your status.
Please show me how you would find a certain contact.
I would be on video call with some of the participants whilst they were answering the questions, as it was useful to see their initial reactions when attempting to carry out certain actions.
High fidelity mockups:
Once I had refined the initial wireframes based on the feedback received, I moved on to designing their high-fidelity mockups. The team wanted the UI to be simple and efficient, including all desired features without unnecessary distractions. This was a huge part of the mission, and so it was important to keep this at the centre of the designs. Due to this, I kept the UI very clean and minimalist whilst maintaining a modern touch.
Where are we now?
Now the designs have been created; the software is being built by a team of developers. Whilst this is being made, we continue to conduct user feedback for the designs and refine any features before user testing commences with the original trading floor.
Fundamental UI principles:
During the design process at LYNK, I followed some fundamental UI principles to ensure the software was easy and natural to use, not confusing for the users, and that it does what the user needs.
We only had around three months to complete all the designs, so it was essential to follow an efficient UX process and stick to clear UI principles to complete each section by the target dates.
One important UI principle I followed included ensuring that the UI was consistent across the platform. These consistencies included using a uniform style and size of fonts, colour schemes, curved edges, and spacing, to name a few. Another essential principle I followed was avoiding clutter in the design and ensuring that every element is functional and has a purpose. Based on the mission and the feedback received from the users, we wanted LYNK to be simple and efficient without unnecessary distractions. It was important not to add certain features to the software for design purposes but to keep the user's wants and needs at the core of the design.
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If you'd like to get in touch about working together, or have any questions about my designs, please email me at [email protected] - i'd love to hear from you! 😊