MyApps Portal
MyApps Portal
Outcome
Streamlined user access to Cooper's software suite and centralized installation manuals, improving portal's overall usability.
Timeline
Lead UX Designer
4 weeks
Tools
Outcome
Streamlined user access to Cooper's software suite and centralized installation manuals, improving portal's overall usability.
Timeline
Lead UX Designer
4 weeks
Tools
Visibility of System Status
Identified Issue
The login process had 4 screens with no indication of progress, causing user frustration.
Severity
Critical
Solution
Streamlined to 2 screens with a progress indicator to enhance clarity and user confidence.
Matching System & Real World
Identified Issue
Manuals were buried in sub-headers on the commercial website, using jargon-heavy labels.
Severity
Moderate
Solution
Centralized manuals in MyApps under a clear "Installation Manuals" section with logical organization.
Flexibility and Efficiency
Identified Issue
Lack of filters made it difficult to locate specific manuals for specific software programs.
Severity
Moderate
Solution
Added robust search and filtering options for quick navigation of documents for users.
User Control and Freedom
Identified Issue
Manuals were only available as PDFs, forcing users to download even for quick lookups.
Moderate
Severity
Solution
Enabled direct manual access within the portal, with optional download functionality.
Aesthetic Design
Identified Issue
The login page’s outdated design did not align with modern UI standards nor branding guidelines.
Severity
Minor
Solution
Updated with a clean layout, whitespace, and cohesive color scheme matching Cooper's branding.
This heuristic evaluation provided a clear framework to identify and address key usability challenges within the MyApps portal. By aligning the design with established usability principles, the improvements streamlined the login process, centralized access to essential documentation, and enhanced the portal’s overall user experience.
Heuristic Evaluation
A heuristic evaluation is a usability inspection method used to identify potential usability issues in a digital interface by assessing it against established usability principles, such as Nielsen’s 10 heuristics. The process involves systematically reviewing the interface to uncover areas where users may encounter friction, confusion, or inefficiency.
For this project, the heuristic evaluation helped pinpoint specific pain points in the MyApps portal, including the login flow and document navigation. These insights guided the redesign, ensuring a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.
Outcome
Streamlined user access to Cooper's software suite and centralized installation manuals, improving portal's overall usability.
Timeline
Lead UX Designer
4 weeks
Tools
Process
[Research]
[Ideate]
[Prototype]
[Evaluate]
[Refine]
Process
[Research]
[Ideate]
[Prototype]
[Evaluate]
[Refine]
[Research]
[Ideate]
[Prototype]
[Evaluate]
[Refine]
Outcome
Streamlined user access to software suite and centralized installation manuals, improving portal's overall usability.
Timeline
Lead UX Designer
4 weeks
Tools
Heuristic Evaluation
A heuristic evaluation is an inspection method used to identify potential usability issues in a digital interface by assessing it against established usability principles.
For this project, the heuristic evaluation helped pinpoint specific pain points in the MyApps portal, including the login flow and document navigation. These insights guided the redesign, ensuring a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.
Principle
Identified Issue
Severity
Solution
Visibility of System Status
The login process had 4 screens with no indication
of progress, causing user frustration.
Critical
Streamlined to 2 screens with a progress indicator.
Match Between System and the Real World
Manuals were buried within a mega menu on the commercial website.
Moderate
Centralized manuals in MyApps under a clear "Installation Manuals" section with logical organization.
Flexibility and Efficiency of Use
Lack of filters made it difficult to locate manuals for specific
software programs.
Moderate
Added robust search and filtering options for quick navigation of documents.
User Control and Freedom
Manuals were only available as static PDF documents.
Moderate
Enabled direct manual access within the portal, with optional download functionality.
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design
The login page’s outdated design did not align with modern UI standards nor branding guidelines.
Minor
Updated with a clean layout, whitespace, and cohesive color scheme matching Cooper's branding.
This heuristic evaluation provided a clear framework to identify and address key usability challenges within the MyApps portal. By aligning the design with established usability principles, the improvements streamlined the login process and centralized access to essential documentation to enhance the portal’s overall user experience.
Principle
Identified Issue
Severity
Solution
Visibility of System Status
The login process had 4 screens with no indication
of progress, causing user frustration.
Critical
Streamlined to 2 screens with a progress indicator to enhance clarity and user confidence.
Match Between System and the Real World
Manuals were buried in sub-headers on the commercial website, using jargon-heavy labels.
Moderate
Centralized manuals in MyApps under a clear "Installation Manuals" section with logical organization.
Flexibility and Efficiency of Use
Lack of filters made it difficult to locate specific manuals for specific
software programs.
Moderate
Added robust search and filtering options for quick navigation of documents for users.
User Control and Freedom
Manuals were only available as PDFs, forcing users to download even for quick lookups.
Moderate
Enabled direct manual access within the portal, with optional download functionality.
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design
The login page’s outdated design did not align with modern UI standards nor branding guidelines.
Minor
Updated with a clean layout, whitespace, and cohesive color scheme matching Cooper's branding.
MyApps Portal
Take a look at my high-fidelity prototype of MyApps Portal!
Take a look at my high-fidelity prototype of MyApps Portal!
Usability Test
To evaluate the effectiveness of this new design and ensure it addressed user needs, I conducted usability testing with representative users by asking them to complete a series of tasks within the MyApps portal such as accessing resources, locating user manuals, and navigating procedural instructions.
Demographics
Demographics
6 Participants
Based out of the United States
Industry Professionals
Tasks
Tasks
Create MyApps Account
Access Manuals
Find Information within Manuals
During usability testing, participants shared valuable insights about their experiences navigating MyApps while completing key tasks. Here are some direct quotes that highlight their challenges, successes, and suggestions for improvement.
During usability testing, participants shared valuable insights about their experiences navigating MyApps while completing key tasks. Here are some direct quotes that highlight their challenges, successes, and suggestions for improvement.
“The procedure for sorting alarms or events made sense.”
P3
“Finding the Core Lighting User Manual was straightforward.”
P6
“The download and save icons were confusing.”
P1
“I liked how the search results highlighted keywords.”
P2
Participants appreciated the thoughtful design and found the prototype intuitive to use, offering suggestions to refine specific elements further. While not all feedback was implemented, the testing underscored the value of user insights in guiding future iterations.
Participants appreciated the thoughtful design and found the prototype intuitive to use, offering suggestions to refine specific elements further. While not all feedback was implemented, the testing underscored the value of user insights in guiding future iterations.
“The procedure for sorting alarms or events
made sense.”
P3
“Finding the Core Lighting User Manual
was straightforward.”
P6
“The download and save
icons were confusing.”
P1
“I liked how the search results
highlighted keywords.”
P2
“The procedure for sorting alarms or events made sense.”
P3
“Finding the Core Lighting User Manual was straightforward.”
P6
“The download and save icons were confusing.”
P1
“I liked how the search results highlighted keywords.”
P2
“The procedure for sorting alarms or events made sense.”
P3
“Finding the Core Lighting User Manual was straightforward.”
P6
“The download and save icons were confusing.”
P1
“I liked how the search results highlighted keywords.”
P2
Outcome and Impact
The enhancements to Cooper's MyApps portal significantly improved its usability and user experience. The streamlined login process reduced friction, while the centralized installation manual section simplified navigation, enabling users to locate critical documents effortlessly. These updates addressed major pain points, creating a cohesive and intuitive portal that better served Cooper’s clients.
The enhancements to Cooper's MyApps portal significantly improved its usability and user experience. The streamlined login process reduced friction, while the centralized installation manual section simplified navigation, enabling users to locate critical documents effortlessly. These updates addressed major pain points, creating a cohesive and intuitive portal that better served Cooper’s clients.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The Importance of Clear Navigation in User Interfaces
One key lesson from this project is the importance of ensuring clear and intuitive navigation within user interfaces. Participants highlighted difficulties in accessing MyApps from the commercial website, with some unaware of how to find the portal. This reinforces the need to design user flows that minimize confusion and lead users to their desired destination quickly.
Valuing User Feedback in Iterative Design
Another critical takeaway from this project is the value of user feedback in iterative design. Although the participants provided constructive suggestions to enhance usability—such as improving the search function and adding highlights for easier navigation—these were not fully integrated into the final design. This reinforces the importance of continuously incorporating user insights into every iteration to ensure the final product meets user needs and expectations.
The Importance of Clear Navigation in User Interfaces
Participants highlighted difficulties in accessing MyApps from the commercial website, with some unaware of how to find the portal. This reinforces the need to design user flows that minimize confusion by guiding users to their desired outcomes via UX principles.
Valuing User Feedback in Iterative Design
Although the participants provided constructive suggestions to enhance usability such as improving the search function and adding highlights for easier navigation, these features were not fully integrated into the final design. This reinforces the importance of continuously incorporating user insights into every iteration to ensure that the final product continues to meet user needs and expectations.