A transformation journey of a lab supplies buying platform, addressing usability issues, improving information architecture, and modernizing the user interface. By leveraging industry best practices, we created an intuitive and efficient buying experience, while also extending the design framework to support a second tool that accelerated data generation and algorithmic insights.
My Role: Lead Designer & PO Design System
Engagement Time:
8 months ~
Summary
The original buying platform (existing platform) was cluttered with redundant brand elements, inconsistent spacing, and poor information architecture, making it difficult for users to find and order lab consumables efficiently. Our redesign focused on:
- Modernizing the UI for a clean, intuitive experience.
- Enhancing navigation to streamline ordering.
- Improving analytics interfaces for better inventory and cost management.
- Creating a reusable design framework that sped up the launch of a second tool.
Through iterative design and usability testing, we delivered a solution that was both usable and desirable, improving user satisfaction and efficiency.
The Problem
Customer interviews revealed multiple pain points in the existing platform:
❌ Redundant brand elements distracted users from core functionalities.
❌ Inconsistent spacing and layout led to a fragmented user experience.
❌ Poor information architecture made product discovery difficult.
❌ Lack of a structured inventory management system for managers to oversee orders and costs.
These issues hindered efficiency and adoption, prompting the need for a full redesign to align with industry standards and best practices.
Methodology and Approach
The Redesign
We began by analyzing existing user research and conducting additional interviews to validate findings. Our initial focus was on:
- Defining key workflows to simplify the buying experience.
- Establishing a cohesive design system for consistency.
- Creating wireframes and prototypes for early validation.
Through formative testing, we observed that a structured information architecture and streamlined interface significantly improved usability.
Iteration 1: UI workflow overhaul without touching the back-end
To refine the design, we implemented:
✅ A cleaner, distraction-free UI design that focuses on essential functions.
✅ A standardized layout system to maintain visual consistency.
✅ Improved categorization and filtering for easy product discovery.
✅ An analytics dashboard for managers to track orders and inventory.
✅ All of the above without touching the backend, basically a front-end overhaul, which was easy to sell within the organization.
Using an agile, user-centered approach, we continuously tested and refined the platform based on real user feedback.
Iteration 2: Optimising usability
Optimizing for Speed and Efficiency
- Minimized click paths to speed up product selection and checkout.
- Streamlined data input for managers, reducing manual workload.
- Performance enhancements to load large datasets efficiently.
A new chapter
Repurposing the Design Framework for a Second Tool
A major breakthrough came when we repurposed the design framework for another tool focused on data generation and algorithmic insights. Instead of designing from scratch, we leveraged the existing information architecture, site map, and interaction patterns to accelerate development.
This resulted in:
⚡ Faster time to market—Reusing established design components reduced the need for extensive UX research and prototyping.
🔄 Consistency across platforms—A familiar interface reduced onboarding time for users.
📊 Scalable design—A modular approach made it easier to integrate new features.
⚡ Faster time to market—Reusing established design components reduced the need for extensive UX research and prototyping.
🔄 Consistency across platforms—A familiar interface reduced onboarding time for users.
📊 Scalable design—A modular approach made it easier to integrate new features.
The second tool was designed to analyze purchasing patterns, predict inventory needs, and provide data-driven recommendations, helping procurement teams optimize costs and stock levels with AI-driven insights.
Overall Results
This initiative was a great success, bringing valuable learnings and exceeding expectations for both the business and users. It also led to by-products that would later contribute to the organization's broader journey toward standardization. I was happy to walk away with an:
📈 Enhanced user experience—A more intuitive and visually appealing platform.
⚡ Increased efficiency—Faster order processing and improved inventory tracking.
🔄 Reusable design system—Accelerated the launch of a secondary tool.
💡 Higher adoption rates—Users found the new system more usable and desirable.
⚡ Increased efficiency—Faster order processing and improved inventory tracking.
🔄 Reusable design system—Accelerated the launch of a secondary tool.
💡 Higher adoption rates—Users found the new system more usable and desirable.
Navigation - Mega Menu (Fully Connected)
Key Takeaways
- A well-structured information architecture improves efficiency.
- Leveraging industry best practices enables faster decision-making.
- Reusable design frameworks speed up future product development and help in standardization.
- Continuous testing and iterative approach drive meaningful user experience.
Conclusion
This redesign not only transformed the lab consumables buying platform into a modern, efficient system but also paved the way for rapid expansion by enabling the development of a second tool. By focusing on usability, scalability, and industry best practices, we created a highly functional and adaptable design framework that benefited both users and business objectives.