Audyssey Laboratories
Audyssey Laboratories
Audyssey Laboratories
CASE STUDY · 5 MIN READ
CASE STUDY · 5 MIN READ
CASE STUDY · 5 MIN READ
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Audyssey Laboratories' MultEQ software is a Windows-based client that enables users to analyze, create, customize, and save audio filters for home theaters.
Our team's goal was to evaluate the applications information architecture and propose design recommendations before the software's upcoming 4 month soft launch date.
Audyssey Laboratories' MultEQ software is a Windows-based client that enables users to analyze, create, customize, and save audio filters for home theaters.
Our team's goal was to evaluate the applications information architecture and propose design recommendations before the software's upcoming 4 month soft launch date.
ROLE
ROLE
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
8 Weeks
8 Weeks
TEAM
TEAM
4 Designers
4 Designers
TAGS
TAGS
Desktop
Desktop
UI Design
UI Design
Design System
Design System
Objectives and Constraints
Objectives and Constraints
Objectives and Constraints
During our kickoff meeting with the engineering team, we were able to clarify expectations and better understand the constraints the team was working within. This early collaboration helped us define clear goals and boundaries for the redesign, ensuring our efforts both fit user needs and were feasible to implement.
During our kickoff meeting with the engineering team, we were able to clarify expectations and better understand the constraints the team was working within. This early collaboration helped us define clear goals and boundaries for the redesign, ensuring our efforts both fit user needs and were feasible to implement.
During our kickoff meeting with the engineering team, we were able to clarify expectations and better understand the constraints the team was working within. This early collaboration helped us define clear goals and boundaries for the redesign, ensuring our efforts both fit user needs and were feasible to implement.
Objectives
Objectives
Guide new users and support audio filter review for returning users.
Guide new users and support audio filter review for returning users.
Ensure clear navigation, progress visibility, and automatic saving.
Ensure a consistent UI, clear hierarchy, and user-friendly language.
Ensure clear navigation, progress visibility, and automatic saving.
Ensure a consistent UI, clear hierarchy, and user-friendly language.
Constraints
Constraints
Lack of access to AVR hardware required to operate demo software.
Lack of access to AVR hardware required to operate demo software.
Adherence to Microsoft Fluent Design System and Windows fat client UI.
Adherence to the constraints of Xamarin.Forms and SyncFusion.
Adherence to Microsoft Fluent Design System and Windows fat client UI.
Adherence to the constraints of Xamarin.Forms and SyncFusion.
Initial Prototype
Initial Prototype
Initial Prototype
Due to our team's lack of access to an audio-video receiver, we were unable to use the developer build of Audyssey's software. To work around this, we extracted screenshots from a provided software demo video and compiled them into a Figma file, allowing us to create a functional prototype.
Due to our team's lack of access to an audio-video receiver, we were unable to use the developer build of Audyssey's software. To work around this, we extracted screenshots from a provided software demo video and compiled them into a Figma file, allowing us to create a functional prototype.
Due to our team's lack of access to an audio-video receiver, we were unable to use the developer build of Audyssey's software. To work around this, we extracted screenshots from a provided software demo video and compiled them into a Figma file, allowing us to create a functional prototype.
Heuristic Evaluation
Heuristic Evaluation
Heuristic Evaluation
Given our tight time frame and lack of access to users from Audyssey's niche user base, the team opted for a heuristic evaluation using Nielson Norman's 10 usability heuristics. Each designer conducted their own assessment and our combined insights informed the following challenges and solutions.
Given our tight time frame and lack of access to users from Audyssey's niche user base, the team opted for a heuristic evaluation using Nielson Norman's 10 usability heuristics. Each designer conducted their own assessment and our combined insights informed the following challenges and solutions.
Given our tight time frame and lack of access to users from Audyssey's niche user base, the team opted for a heuristic evaluation using Nielson Norman's 10 usability heuristics. Each designer conducted their own assessment and our combined insights informed the following challenges and solutions.
Challenges
Challenges
Unclear Filter Creation
Unclear Filter Creation
The process and progress monitoring of creating an audio filter was unclear as a user.
The process and progress monitoring of creating an audio filter was unclear as a user.
UI Inconsistencies
UI Inconsistencies
It was difficult to distinguish between informational content and actionable elements within the application.
It was difficult to distinguish between informational content and actionable elements within the application.
Language Confusion
Language Confusion
Inconsistent terminology, abbreviations and technical language were difficult to understand as a user.
Inconsistent terminology, abbreviations and technical language were difficult to understand as a user.
Solutions
Solutions
Side Navigation and Progress Bar
Side Navigation and Progress Bar
Added a collapsible sidebar displaying each filter creation step and current user progress.
Added a collapsible sidebar displaying each filter creation step and current user progress.
Unified UI Components
Unified UI Components
Standardized buttons, input fields, graph titles, and navigation elements within developer constraints
Standardized buttons, input fields, graph titles, and navigation elements within developer constraints
Clear and Consistent Language
Clear and Consistent Language
Unified terminology and simplified language to improve clarity and user comprehension.
Unified terminology and simplified language to improve clarity and user comprehension.
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Using the insights from our heuristic analysis, our team created hi-fi wireframes using SyncFusion's UI component suite for development handoff. Below are the most prominent pain points we identified through our analysis and sought to remedy through our redesign.
Using the insights from our heuristic analysis, our team created hi-fi wireframes using SyncFusion's UI component suite for development handoff. Below are the most prominent pain points we identified through our analysis and sought to remedy through our redesign.
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Using the insights from our heuristic analysis, our team created hi-fi wireframes using SyncFusion's UI component suite for development handoff. Below are the most prominent pain points we identified through our analysis and sought to remedy through our redesign.
Success Metrics
Success Metrics
Heuristic Insights Addressed
Heuristic Insights Addressed
The information architecture and UI changes successfully addressed the top level findings of our heuristic evaluation.
The information architecture and UI changes successfully addressed the top level findings of our heuristic evaluation.
Timeline & Constraints Met
Timeline & Constraints Met
Our design team successfully aligned with the client's timeline while working within their technological constraints.
Our design team successfully aligned with the client's timeline while working within their technological constraints.
Clear and Consistent Language
Clear and Consistent Language
The client had the technical capability and resources to integrate our proposed wireframes into their application.
The client had the technical capability and resources to integrate our proposed wireframes into their application.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Establish Design Guidelines
Establish Design Guidelines
Creating shared design guidelines early on ensures consistency and coherence across multiple designers.
Creating shared design guidelines early on ensures consistency and coherence across multiple designers.
Engage with Development
Engage with Development
Engaging with development early and often ensures design alignment, clarity, and feasibility for handoff.
Engaging with development early and often ensures design alignment, clarity, and feasibility for handoff.
Think Like a Developer
Think Like a Developer
Working within developer constraints encourages designers to think like developers, easing implementation.
Working within developer constraints encourages designers to think like developers, easing implementation.