Phase 01

The Problem

 
 

Phase 02

Getting buy in from business

 

Phase 03

Coming up with a strategic design approach

Phase 04

Competitive Analysis

Competitive

I spent time getting to know our target audience by meeting with a group of affiliated surgeons once a week to present ideas and ask questions. Lots of questions.

I also visited the University of Chicago’s Radiology department to observe their setting and the applications the surgeons and staff use.

All the information below is based on real user feedback.

 

surveys + interviews.

One of my favorite UX laws is Jakob’s Law, which states that “Users spend most of their time on other sites. This means that users prefer your site to work the same way as all the other sites they already know.”

With that in mind, I was curious about what operating systems our users are most comfortable with.

 

current user journey.

 
Dr. Hope works at University of Chicago, and he just received a new surgical case.

Dr. Hope works at University of Chicago, and he just received a new surgical case.

He visits the ImmersiveTouch website to upload his patient’s DICOM through the online portal.

He visits the ImmersiveTouch website to upload his patient’s DICOM through the online portal.

Rob, an ImmersiveTouch employee, receives the DICOM, segments the anatomical volume and exports it as an ITA file.

Rob, an ImmersiveTouch employee, receives the DICOM, segments the anatomical volume and exports it as an ITA file.

Then Rob uploads the ITA file to an ImmersiveTouch thumb drive and mails it to Dr. Hope.

Then Rob uploads the ITA file to an ImmersiveTouch thumb drive and mails it to Dr. Hope.

Dr. Hope downloads the file to his local PC on the hospital’s secured network.

Dr. Hope downloads the file to his local PC on the hospital’s secured network.

Then Dr. Hope launches the ImmersiveView application and imports the file from their local PC.

Then Dr. Hope launches the ImmersiveView application and imports the file from their local PC.

Dr. Hope puts on the headset once the file has loaded and begins manipulating the 3D volume.

Dr. Hope puts on the headset once the file has loaded and begins manipulating the 3D volume.

Once Dr. Hope is done he removes the headset and closes the application.

Once Dr. Hope is done he removes the headset and closes the application.

 
pexels-klaus-nielsen-6303591.jpg

Persona 01 —

Surgeons

“A lot of people want to view just a simple straightforward image. They don't necessarily want to tweak the thing to make it perfect; they wanna view a usable image.”

pain points.

  • Unable to share the immersive VR perspective with other surgeons without taking off the headset

  • The learning curve for new software.

  • Loading patient data quickly

needs.

  • Save time

  • Reliable technology

  • Data security

  • Customize the procedure to patient’s needs

  • Train and lead residents

wants.

  • The ability to quickly access patient data from anywhere using a secure network—no more thumb drives.

  • Real-time collaboration in VR so more than one surgeon or resident can contribute to the surgical planning session with the same viewpoint.

  • Make this application a one-stop-shop; eliminating the need for other applications.

Store Details Page Redesign

Lead UX Designer

 

project summary.

What started out as an SEO update turned into a full redesign after I presented a case for customer and user experience improvements based on customer feedback.

the problem.

Thousands of customers were reporting that they were not able to find basic store information on the store details pages. The page was also cluttered with random information that had nothing to do with the store because over the years different departments just started adding content without looking at the page holistically.

the solution.

A data-driven, holistic, and customer-centered redesign.

Deliverables.

  • wireframes

  • prototypes

  • user flows

  • kiosk UI

skills used.

  • data analysis

  • cross-functional team collaboration

  • workshops and brainstorming

  • customer service journey mapping

  • customer + user experience design

  • data analysis

Tools

  • Figma

 

wireframing + flow mapping.

I needed to test out different information architectures to get a better understanding of how the user needed to get around the application.

The first thing I do is map out a wireframe that includes all the features and steps necessary. This iteration is often horrible, but it helps me mentally map out the application and gives me something visual to improve.

After walking through the steps over and over again it wasn’t long before I had a ton of questions for the engineers and developers.

  • What if the user wants to open a new file?

  • Can the user save DICOM Data?

  • Where will the error message display if the user opens the wrong file type?

  • How should the user close the application?

 

how do other applications work?

open, close, export, save?

The developers and engineers planned on having the open/import and export together on the home screen, and the only exit button was the x in the top right corner…

I didn’t feel this made sense. So I presented a better way.

simplifying logging in.

Here the developers suggested a case loading workflow that had unnecessary steps.

Here the developers suggested a case loading workflow that had unnecessary steps.

I proposed a simpler workflow, with less steps.

I proposed a simpler workflow, with less steps.

 

the histogram pain point.

The developers thought the histogram was a necessity. They argued that the surgeons needed fine-tuning and more customization.

I argued the surgeons wanted quick solutions, and fine-tuning wasn’t something they seemed to care about based on my user research. Not only that the applications they were currently using didn’t allow fine-tuning either. Rather they had a preset of ranges.

Outnumbered 1 to 7, the developers kept the histogram.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Unity Prototype from Developers

Unity Prototype from Developers

user feedback.

The purpose of the histogram was unclear to our users. They had a hard time understanding how it relates to the anatomy and their workflow.

“I thought this was for someone in a hospital setting who just wants to load in their data and generate an image?”

“A lot of people want to view just a simple, straightforward image. 

“Now this... I forgot what this actually does…”

They don't necessarily want to tweak the thing to make it perfect; they wanna view a usable image.”

 

the window-preview pain point.

The developers suggested the best way to separate the 2D and 3D controls was to have separate tabs for each.

Instead, I proposed a 4-window preview. Which is something the surgeons and hospital staff are used to with current software. It allows them to see everything at once.

I also proposed we offer multiple layout views. It is something that is simple, useful, and our users a familiar with.

 

updating the desktop vr preview.

Before

After