iExec Design System
Role: Product Designer
WHY
iExec Oracle Factory is a platform that allows users to build blockchain oracles in a few minutes. Joining the team right after the UX research was completed, I started working directly on the wireframes and the high fidelity mock-up, with no legacy from the previous designer. With many inconsistencies throughout the existing products, and several future products in the pipeline, the need for a design system was pretty obvious to me. So I offered to build a design system for iExec while I was working on the UI of this product.
HOW
To create a new UI for the iExec Oracle Factory as well as the new design system, I started by conducting a thorough analysis of the existing platform's UI and identifying areas that needed improvement. I worked closely with the team of engineers to understand their vision and technical constraints, and incorporated their feedback.
I began by creating wireframes to map out the layout and functionality of the new product. After receiving feedback from the team, I moved on to creating high-fidelity mockups. I then conducted guerilla user testing to ensure that the new UI was intuitive and user-friendly.
Regarding the design system, I choose an atomic design based organization for efficiency and scalability. 3 files compose this design system: one for Product, one for the Website, 1 for the Foundations (typography, color palettes, iconography, shadows, spacing).
Throughout the design process, I took ownership of the design quality assurance and worked closely with the engineers to ensure that the new UI could be implemented effectively. I also provided documentation and handed off my work to the new UX/UI Designer when I moved to a Design Lead position, ensuring continuity on UX research. Creating mockups and coding is now faster, and the UI will be coherent on all new products.
TAKEAWAYS
Building an entire product design system, and later another one focused on the website, by oneself, is no small task. But it was so rewarding. I learnt to manage my time effectively, multitasking on various projects, expanding the design system as well as the brand.
There were definitely struggles, mostly due to the availability of the engineers to implement it, and several months of repositioning regarding the product's strategy. This sometimes chaotic context forced me to take a step back, to focus on the long term goal, and to ensure the engineers are my best allies.
