The Company
Fuse is a B2B social learning platform with clients that included Vodaphone, Dropbox, English Heritage, Spotify, etc.
My Role
User Flows, UI Design, Product Research
Audience
Constraints
Users were reporting receiving irrelevant results when searching for content relevant to their role. In the example below a user would search for a popular finance course and receive irrelevant results. The filtering was also confusing to users.
Research
I've outlined a strategy above and shared it with the team for tackling our search project. We started by auditing the current search functionality to understand its strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to pinpoint the essential needs of our users. Additionally, we explored how search is utilized in contexts beyond education to ensure we can offer a familiar experience to our users.
Working alongside the product manager, who provided existing user research, we crafted a number user stories to ensure we addressed all user needs.
Insights
After looking at the existing search functionality and speaking with internal stakeholders it became clear that the current filtering system was not generating the expected results. My observation was that the filtering system was not intuitive and would need something more familiar to the average user.
Mixed fidelity Prototyping
Started with some low-fidelity prototyping using paper to brainstorm component placements. This was done in collaboration with engineers and PM's on the project. This was useful in not only making it fun but in being able to move components around until we had alignment.
I worked closely with fellow designers in our team to develop our high-fidelity designs, with each of us contributing to the creation of components for our design system.
Testing & Observations
Incorporating Nielsen's guideline about the effectiveness of testing with five users, I conducted usability testing with our finished designs to assess our progress. This test specifically focused on the functionality and placement of tags.
Original implementation
My observation was that the filtering system was not intuitive and would need something more familiar to the average user.
Design of Components
This test specifically focused on the functionality and placement of tags.
Usability Testing
This test specifically focused on the functionality and placement of tags.
The search results became more precise, and users reported a heightened sense of control in generating relevant outcomes.
Usability
The overall experience was more intuitive coupled with more precise results
Client Confidence
The new search capabilities brought greater client confidence in the product reducing risk of any churn for upcoming renewals
Like my work? Just so you know, I am open to full-time Product roles in Manchester and surrounding areas from September 2024. My availability is up to date If you'd like to book a call.