Voltrax
Project: Voltrax Discovery
Client: Oxford Nanopore Technology
Role: UX Principal Designer (Consultant)
Duration: [Insert timeline]
#00789A
Project: Voltrax Discovery
Client: Oxford Nanopore Technology
Role: UX Principal Designer (Consultant)
Duration: [Insert timeline]
#00789A
UX Case Study: Voltrax Discovery - Oxford Nanopore Technology
1. Introduction
Voltrax is a system designed to partially automate sample preparation, aiming to simplify and accelerate the process for a broader range of users.
The case study covers the UX discovery phase conducted to advise on achieving the Voltrax vision, transitioning it from early access to a full release by focusing on user-centered improvements.
2. Problem Statement
The Voltrax product faces several UX-related challenges:
The current user experience limits routine success, as users don't fully understand how to effectively use the tool.
There are drop-off rates, indicating that users are having difficulties or are not engaged.
The software's availability is limited to Windows, which restricts its accessibility across multiple platforms and devices.
There's a need to create more intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces for a range of user personas.
What problem are we trying to solve?
[Summarize the core issue Voltrax aimed to address]
[Highlight pain points for users]
[State business or technical constraints]
3. WHAT - Solution and objectives
To help facilitate Voltrax's transition from early access to a full release. The discovery focused on assessing and improving the software from both technical and user experience perspectives.
understand current user journey issues
identify potential reasons for user drop-off
define and prioritise actionable improvements
My process
Proto-personas
I ran a workshop to develop a few key proto-personas. This allowed me to better understand the various user needs and conceptualise unique journeys - rather than a 1-size fits all.
Customer journey may
Ran several sessions with key stakeholders to analyse user journeys to create a customer journey map. This allowed us to identify pain points and suggest potential solutions.
Put the the interface to the test
I went through the full process, end-to-end journey, so understand how user would user the current interface. Documented problem areas with notes and photos
Exploration
Creating lo-fi UX figma wireframes to facilitate diuscussions with key stakeholders and users
4. HOW - the process
Test interface
Create personas
Put the the interface to the test
The whole team (3) went through the full process, end-to-end journey at the labs in Oxford. This was to fully understand how user would user the current interface. Documented problem areas with notes and photos. Note: the experience was designed by scientists with no formal UX intervention.
Journey map
UX solutions
Next steps
Test interface
Create personas
Proto-Personas
I ran a few online workshops to develop a few key proto-personas. This allowed us to better understand the various user needs and conceptualise unique journeys, rather than a 1-size fits all.
IMMEDIATE
Lap Technician / Bench
Research Scientist, core customer
Clinical: Core customer
5 YEARS FROM NOW
Lay People, not scientists
ONT developer type
Programer API release
Journey mapping
UX solutions
Next steps
Proto-Persona: Lab technician / Bench Scientist
Test interface
Create personas
Journey Map
Ran several sessions with project Lead (Ben) and key stakeholders to analyse user journeys to create a customer journey map.
This allowed me to identify pain points and suggest potential solutions.
Journey map
UX solutions
Next steps
The UX discovery process included:
Evaluating the current software and existing improvement ideas.
Generating and prioritizing new UX concepts.
Creating lo-fi UX mockups and exploring hi-fi wireframes.
Analyzing user journeys to pinpoint pain points and potential solutions.
Developing proto-personas to better understand the users.
What did we do during the discovery phase?
[Detail user research activities: interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry]
[Summarize data collection methods and tools used]
[Discuss design iterations and stakeholder collaborations]
Test interface
Create personas
UX explorations
x
Journey mapping
UX solutions
Next steps
Proto-Persona: Lab technician / Bench Scientist
Test interface
Create personas
My process
Put the the interface to the test
The whole team (3) went through the full process, end-to-end journey at the labs in Oxford. This was to fully understand how user would user the current interface. Documented problem areas with notes and photos. Note: the experience was designed by scientists with no formal UX intervention.
Proto-personas
I ran a workshop to develop a few key proto-personas. This allowed me to better understand the various user needs and conceptualise unique journeys - rather than a 1-size fits all.
Customer journey may
Ran several sessions with key stakeholders to analyse user journeys to create a customer journey map. This allowed us to identify pain points and suggest potential solutions.
Exploration
Creating lo-fi UX figma wireframes to facilitate diuscussions with key stakeholders and users
Journey map
UX solutions
Next steps
The UX discovery process included:
Evaluating the current software and existing improvement ideas.
Generating and prioritizing new UX concepts.
Creating lo-fi UX mockups and exploring hi-fi wireframes.
Analyzing user journeys to pinpoint pain points and potential solutions.
Developing proto-personas to better understand the users.
What did we do during the discovery phase?
[Detail user research activities: interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry]
[Summarize data collection methods and tools used]
[Discuss design iterations and stakeholder collaborations]
5. Key Learnings / Findings
Key UX-related findings and opportunities:
UX Revamp: The importance of common UX utilities, such as user journeys, personas, and a design system, to create a more resonant user experience.
User Engagement: The need to understand why users are abandoning Voltrax and implement strategies to improve user engagement (e.g., surveys, user groups).
Onboarding Experience: The onboarding experience needs improvement to build brand awareness and guide new users effectively.
Home Screen Design: The home screen should be tailored for different user types (new vs. returning) and provide easy access to protocols and learning resources.
Protocol Information: Users need better context and information about protocol parameters and their potential impact.
Error Handling: The system should provide better error handling and guidance to help users understand and recover from errors.
UI Simplification: The user interface should be simplified to reduce cognitive load, improve clarity, and minimize the chance of errors.
What learnings did we make?
[List key insights from user feedback]
[Highlight design opportunities]
[Identify constraints and challenges uncovered]
6. Proposal / Next Steps
Final Proposal / Next Steps
Recommended UX improvements:
Develop and refine user personas and user journey designs.
Implement UX quick wins, such as a dedicated splash screen, FAQs, better login design, and improved error handling.
Conduct user research and testing to validate designs and gather feedback.
Design a centralized hub for protocols to enable modular development and sharing within the Voltrax community.
Explore the feasibility of a web application to improve accessibility and user experience across different devices.
This revised version emphasizes the UX aspects of the discovery, highlighting user-centered problems, research activities, findings, and recommendations.
What was our final proposal as the next steps?
[Summarize refined UX recommendations]
[Suggest implementation roadmap]
[Mention potential future iterations]
7. Conclusion
[Reflect on overall impact of the discovery phase]
[State how findings shape future Voltrax UX developments]