Enterprise ux excellence: designing a unified system

A comprehensive guide to creating and maintaining a cohesive design system for superior B2B user experience.

2022
DESIGN SYSTEM
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Product
Design system
Our team
Product manager
Developers
UI designer
Product designer (myself)
Timeline
Mar 2022
In the realm of B2B solutions, creating a unified design system is paramount for ensuring a seamless user experience across various platforms and applications. This case study delves into the comprehensive process of developing and maintaining a cohesive design system tailored for enterprise environments.

We will explore the transformation of a fragmented legacy system into a streamlined, modern interface, emphasizing key components such as data tables, landing pages, innovative widgets (calendars, key indicators, filters, and search badges), and the importance of consistency and compatibility across platforms.

Overview
A design system is more than a collection of UI components; it is the backbone of a cohesive user experience that ensures consistency, efficiency, and scalability. For our enterprise UX project, the goal was to create a unified design system that could be easily adopted and maintained, offering a superior user experience across multiple B2B applications.
Analyzing the previous system
• Information Architecture Audit: I conducted a thorough audit of the existing system to map out user journeys, identify pain points, and understand the flow of information. This analysis provided a solid foundation for the redesign.

• User Feedback & Analytics: Gathering and analyzing user feedback was crucial. It helped us pinpoint critical areas for improvement and prioritize features based on user needs and business goals.
Breaking down details & components
• Core Components: Starting with the basics, I collaborated with UI designer to set up essential UI elements such as typography, color palettes, buttons, and forms. These elements were crafted to ensure accessibility and visual consistency.

• Modular Landing Pages: I created modular landing page components that provided clear navigation, concise information, and quick access to key actions. These components could be easily customized for various use cases.

• Advanced Data Tables: Recognizing the importance of data tables in enterprise applications, I designed tables with enhanced readability, interactive sorting, filtering options, and inline editing capabilities.
Expanding to variants
• Innovative Widgets: To modernize the user experience, we introduced innovative widgets like advanced calendars with scheduling features, key performance indicators (KPIs) that are customizable, and dynamic filters with search badge components for enhanced data discovery.
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• Component Variants: Each component was designed with multiple variants to accommodate different contexts and use cases, ensuring flexibility and scalability.
Calendar widget
Consistency & compatibility
• Maintaining Consistency: Ensured that all components adhered to a unified design language, providing a predictable and reliable user experience across all applications.
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• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Developed a flexible design system that could adapt to various platforms, including iOS and Android, while maintaining core design principles. This ensured a cohesive look and feel across different environments.
Reflections
Through this project, I reinforced the importance of a user-centric approach, continuous feedback, and maintaining consistency across all touchpoints. The resulting design system not only improved the user experience but also streamlined development processes and reduced implementation time.
Key takeaways
• User Engagement: Continuous involvement of users in the design process ensures that the final product meets their needs and expectations.
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• Modular Design: A modular approach allows for scalability and adaptability, making it easier to introduce new features and components.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring compatibility across various devices and platforms is crucial for providing a seamless user experience in a diverse enterprise environment.
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