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Overview​

IEEE Xplore is a world renowned digital library and research platform which provides access to scientific and technical content published by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and its partners, including journals, conference proceedings, technical standards, and more. As a world renowned platform, Xplore is utilised by Electrical and Electronics Engineers from organizations such as Qualcomm, Tesla, Bose, and Lockheed Martin to name a few.​

 

Business and Design Objectives

Increase user engagement through a reimagined platform which is fully optimized for mobile use and fully compliant with the latest WCAG Accessibility Guidelines. In the process, key interactions were redefined and a modern visual design language established, ensuring a human-centered design while improving user engagement by 50% upon launching the enhanced platform.

 

Project Involvement

As a hands on UX Design Manager, I wore several hats and provided design strategy, UX research, wireframes, mockups,
and prototypes.​

 

Tools

Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Analytics, Sketch, Balsamiq, and IndigoStudio

​Establishing the Process

​As a design force of one surrounded by a team of developers, product managers, scrum masters, and business managers, it was imperative to get full alignment early on. As such, one of the first things I introduced was a streamlined process illustrating the various phases through which specific tasks and outputs are initiated, completed, and delivered.
This approach helped break existing silos between cross functional teams, enforced accountability, and ensured full team alignment and collaboration. 

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​Discovery through Analytics

Given a compressed timeline, I proceeded to use analytics to better understand how users utilize Xplore, identify their painpoints, clearly define requirements, and streamline the various interactions throughout the platform. Additionally, I decided to identify the highly trafficked and often visited sections of the platform allowing me to prioritize the design enhancements accordingly.

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Analytics driven takeaways:
 

  • Engineers in Asia preferred to leverage the portability of mobile devices (e.g. smartphones) when using Xplore highlighting 75% Android, 20% iOS, and 5% Windows Phone (as of 2013)​​
     

  • Phased design and development approach did not overwhelm the devs nor disrupt the existing sprint cycles consisting of 3 releases every 2 weeks​
     

  • Gradients lack the necessary contrast for full accessibility compliance
     

  • On the go user experience allowing for one handed interaction

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Legacy interface included:
 

  • Distracting gradients 
     

  • Lackluster color palette and small-sized fonts
     

  • Non-existent alt tags and lack of mobile support
     

  • Cumbersome interactions and lack of WCAG accessibility guidelines compliance
     

  • Overall experience with increased user frustration and low engagement.

​A New Design Language

Prioritizing the academic researchers, engineers, and technology professionals who use the platform allowed me to create an enhanced interface that is clean, intuitive, user-centric, and allows easy access to vast amounts of technical journals, conferences, standards, and ebooks.

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Streamlined Elements:
 

  • Revised color scheme consisting of blues, whites, and grays, reflects a professional, calm, and distraction-free viewing experience
     

  • Clear and well-sized fonts prioritizing readability of content
     

  • Simple and clear navigation with a prominently displayed 'Browse' button allowing easy access to categories like Journals, Conferences, Standards
    and Books
     

  • Adding a purpose-built hero image makes the newly enhanced search bar more prominent
     

  • Search feature has been refined with advanced filtering options and an autocomplete feature that suggests relevant terms as you type

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Design Consistencies:
 

  • Enhanced UI reflects consistent positioning
    of key components ensuring familiarity
     

  • Tiles, cards, meaningful iconography, hi-res imagery and adorners reflect a more modern layout while ensuring accessibility compliance

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Fully Mobile Responsive
 

  • New layout leverages specific breakpoints ensuring an optimal user experience across various devices

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