UX, UI Internship

Actian is a data cloud platform optimized to

help businesses easily and intuitively manage

their data, improving operational efficiency.

Duration

12 weeks, Jun - Aug 2024

Team

Design Director, Senior Product Designer, Lead Content Strategist, Engineering Team

My Role

UX Design Intern focused on UI, UX, design systems, prototyping, accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration.

Overview

I worked with the Actian UX team, focusing on redesigning data tables and building the interaction foundation within the design system to optimize the user experience of Actian Data Platform.

Have you ever experienced that sinking feeling of forgetting your toothpaste when traveling in the suburbs, where convenience stores are scarce? Or perhaps visiting your grandparents, and finding non-prescription medication arriving late in their neighborhood that lacks delivery services?

" How might we help businesses
manage thousands of diverse data types
with confidence and ease? "

Problem

The current workflow is challenging due to inconsistent designs and behaviors, making it difficult for users to navigate toward their goals.

According to research, conventional delivery is inefficient, inaccessible, and lacks visibility in remote suburbia, with 90% of the Americans relocating to the suburbs since the pandemic.

Vision

Create a modular design system that supports scalability and adaptability, streamlines end-users flows, enhances operational efficiency.

Leverage drones to ensure efficient last-mile delivery and bring value by increasing user convenience and satisfaction.

Outcome

90%

Operational efficiency

After the product launch, the design is expected to improve 42M user efficiency by 90%, and long term business scalability & cost-efficiency.

Received very positive user feedback of how users feel after completing interaction with the product.

77%

Positive user testing

Of two-thirds stakeholders and customers tested, 77% found new UI helpful to navigate data platform, supported by research, and new design system.

Opportunity

Data tables are frequently used but inconsistently designed

We found that, while data tables are essential for data tasks, their inconsistent design often leads to task delays and frustration for the user types: Data Analysts, Data Engineers and Database Administrators.

Data Analysts

Technical Skill

Low

High

Goal

Create accurate, insightful data reports for the business to make informed decisions.

Frustration

When data infrastructure is not unified.
When inadequate practices lead to delays.

Data Engineers

Technical Skill

Low

High

Goal

Simplify complex data to provide data needed for colleagues to perform tasks.

Frustration

When tasks require high manual effort. When constrained by technical limitations.

Database Administrators

Technical Skill

Low

High

Goal

Optimize database systems for the team to access data securely, reliably & efficiently.

Frustration

When documenting requires a lot of effort.
When tasks are mundane and repetitive.

Usability Heuristics of Current Data Tables

←

→

01 Inconsistent data display in tables or blocks

Users struggle when data is shown inconsistently as tables or blocks. Most prefer tables because blocks lack the space to display large datasets, making it harder to find key information.

Tables

Blocks

• Usability Heuristics of Current Data Tables

←

→

01 Inconsistent data display in tables or blocks

Users struggle when data is shown inconsistently as tables or blocks. Most prefer tables because blocks lack the space to display large datasets, making it harder to find key information.

Tables

Blocks

• Usability Heuristics of Current Data Tables

←

→

01 Inconsistent data display in tables or blocks

Users struggle when data is shown inconsistently as tables or blocks. Most prefer tables because blocks lack the space to display large datasets, making it harder to find key information.

Tables

Blocks

•

" How might we ensure our users have access
to the data they need, when they need it to complete
their data task efficiently and effortlessly? "

" How might we help users embrace drone delivery services, feel confident about what they’re about to buy, while feeling safe and secure at all times? "

Solution 01

Standardizing data table to hold the platform together

I created a reusable template for consistent data organization, handling large datasets while following industry standards, ensuring it's user-friendly without requiring new learning.

Easy access to search and table settings

The search bar and the table settings are now standardized, allowing users to easily access table tools and achieve their goals efficiently.

Direct and intuitive data sorting

Sorting controls are now integrated into the column headers with an arrow icon indicating sort status, allowing direct and intuitive sorting.

Solution 02

Developing interaction design foundation

I developed a systematic approach to ensure consistent interactions, making the platform truly supportive of users' mental models, as well as the workload of designers and developers.

Interactive table rows

Each table row is now interactive, with distinct styles for hover, press, and select states, preventing user confusion and errors by clearly indicate which row the user is interacting with.

Interactive action menu

Interactive action menu with clear indicators, allowing users to quickly take actions and efficiently perform tasks on specific table rows, enhancing task efficiency and productivity.

Reflection

Takeaways

01 Being pro-active, creative, and bold!

I learn to explore new ideas, experiment with AI-driven approaches, and step outside of my comfort zone.

How can we enhance reward experiences to align with users' preferences, needs, and motivations?

02 Communicating with cross functional teams

I learn how to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional partners within and outside my team.

03 Managing multiple tasks by setting priorities.

I learn to shift priorities align to product roadmap, project timeline, user priorities, and business needs.

UX, UI Internship

Duration

12 weeks, Jun - Aug 2024

Team

Design Director, Senior Product Designer, Lead Content Strategist, Engineering Team

My Role

UX Design Intern focused on UI, UX, design systems, prototyping, accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration.

Overview

I worked with the Actian UX team, focusing on redesigning data tables and building the interaction foundation within the design system to optimize the user experience of Actian Data Platform.

I worked with the Actian UX team, focusing on redesigning data tables and building the interaction foundation within the design system to optimize the user experience of Actian Data Platform.

Have you ever experienced that sinking feeling of forgetting your toothpaste when traveling in the suburbs, where convenience stores are scarce? Or perhaps visiting your grandparents, and finding non-prescription medication arriving late in their neighborhood that lacks delivery services?

" How might we help businesses manage thousands of diverse data typeswith confidence and ease? "

Problem

The current workflow is challenging due to inconsistent designs and behaviors, making it difficult for users to navigate toward their goals.

According to research, conventional delivery is inefficient, inaccessible, and lacks visibility in remote suburbia, with 90% of the Americans relocating to the suburbs since the pandemic.

Vision

Create a modular design system that supports scalability and adaptability, streamlines end-users flows, enhances operational efficiency.

Leverage drones to ensure efficient last-mile delivery and bring value by increasing user convenience and satisfaction.

Outcome

90%

Operational efficiency

After the product launch, the design is expected to improve 42M user efficiency by 90%, and long term business scalability & cost-efficiency.

Received very positive user feedback of how users feel after completing interaction with the product.

77%

Positive user testing

Of two-thirds stakeholders and customers tested, 77% found new UI helpful to navigate data platform, supported by research, and new design system.

Opportunity

Data tables are frequently used but inconsistently designed

We found that, while data tables are essential for data tasks, their inconsistent design often leads to task delays and frustration for the user types: Data Analysts, Data Engineers and Database Administrators.

Data Analysts

Technical Skill

Low

High

Goal

Create accurate, insightful data reports for the business to make informed decisions.

Frustration

When data infrastructure is not unified.When inadequate practices lead to delays.

Data Engineers

Technical Skill

Low

High

Goal

Simplify complex data to provide data needed for colleagues to perform tasks.

Frustration

When tasks require high manual effort. When constrained by technical limitations.

Database Administrators

Technical Skill

Low

High

Goal

Optimize database systems for the team to access data securely, reliably & efficiently.

Frustration

When documenting requires a lot of effort.When tasks are mundane and repetitive.

Usability Heuristics of Current Data Tables

←

→

01 Inconsistent data display in tables or blocks

Users struggle when data is shown inconsistently as tables or blocks. Most prefer tables because blocks lack the space to display large datasets, making it harder to find key information.

Tables

Blocks

•

•

•

•

Usability Heuristics of Current Data Tables

←

→

01 Inconsistent data display in tables or blocks

Users struggle when data is shown inconsistently as tables or blocks. Most prefer tables because blocks lack the space to display large datasets, making it harder to find key information.

Tables

Blocks

•

•

•

•

Usability Heuristics of Current Data Tables

←

→

01 Inconsistent data display in tables or blocks

Users struggle when data is shown inconsistently as tables or blocks. Most prefer tables because blocks lack the space to display large datasets, making it harder to find key information.

" How might we help businesses
manage thousands of diverse data types
with confidence and ease? "

When data infrastructure is not unified.
When inadequate practices lead to delays.

When documenting requires a lot of effort.
When tasks are mundane and repetitive.

" How might we ensure our users have access
to the data they need, when they need it to complete
their data task efficiently and effortlessly? "