A simple implementation with one solution at a low cost
Intro
OLobby is a cost-effective, cloud-based office management solution. Its integrated dashboard streamlines workflow, communication, file transfer, storage, and more, enabling both internal and external users to collaborate seamlessly. The product is currently in the R&D phase, with continuous refinement based on user feedback and iterative design.
My Contribution
As an in-house UI/UX designer, I led the design process from MVP designs to final designs. My role involved crafting designs followed by data and user insights, focusing on enhancing user experience across workflow, task management, file organization, and communication.
Workers often struggle with managing multiple tools for communication, file storage, and workflow, leading to inefficiency (messy screen!) and high costs. They need a more affordable, streamlined solution that brings everything together in one platform.
The Problem
Color & Typography
App Structure
Main Features
Folder Access
E-Signature
Olobby Connect
Analyze
To gain a comprehensive understanding of user pain points and challenges, our UX team conducted an extensive analysis of user feedback garnered from various existing applications. This data-driven approach empowered me to integrate effective solutions and address key user concerns within the OLobby platform, ensuring a seamless and tailored user experience.
OLobby, a B2B SaaS startup, operates in a competitive landscape alongside established work management applications such as Asana, Trello, Slack, Zoom, and Monday. Furthermore, several corporate entities have made significant strides in the realm of file storage and communication products, underscoring the need for a user-focused approach to product development.
Accept
Design Process
Our team gathered user insights on juggling project and office management tools, reflecting real-life struggles.
Fragmented Workflow Title
Users manage communication and file storage across multiple platforms (e.g., Slack, Asana, Dropbox), leading to workflow fragmentation.
Cost Prohibitive Solutions
Prolonged usage of diverse applications proves financially burdensome for users, necessitating cost-effective alternatives.
Cluttered Interface
Users contend with cluttered screens due to numerous open tabs and applications, resulting in navigation complexities and time delays.
Accept & Analyze
Define
Our team came up with a user persona named Ben.
Through Ben's lens, we identified key pain points in managing his company, including challenges related to employee management, the need for a centralized document access, and scheduling efficiency.
The video introduces OLobby, showcasing how our platform tackles challenges like Ben's, emphasizing our dedication to meeting real-world user needs.
I crafted a Venn diagram to bridge the gap between business objectives and user expectations, ensuring that both sets of goals were not only aligned but also prioritized effectively.
The CEO and I collaborated on the business logic, resulting in various features of Olobby that address user needs for managing projects within a business or group. We thought of the question, how can we streamline internal and external project management in a fast-paced enterprise environment utilizing Olobby?
As a UI/UX designer, it was essential for me to transform complex analytics and market insights into clean, functional, and visually appealing designs.
Ideate
Building MVP
Olobby offers a variety of features, including Calendar, Dashboard, Folder Access, and Task Management. My primary focus was to build and redefine key interfaces for Folder Access, E-Signature, and Olobby Connect (video chat). I began with ground-up designs, placing a strong emphasis on UX to ensure intuitive and effective interactions.
Below initial wireframes were served as the blueprint for developing the key functionalities and interfaces of Olobby’s features. These wireframes were instrumental in shaping the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) designs and guiding the early stages of development.
MVP Design
Prototype
Mid-Fi Version B
Our design team had mixed feelings toward Version B, as it contained too many colors. 😅
Below are UI Design changes for Version B:
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New Logo: A refreshed logo that integrates seamlessly with the platform's new visual identity
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Header Display: Added a weather and time feature for enhanced functionality, ready to test and see if useful
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Side Menu Icons: Icons have distinct colors and engaging imagery for easier understanding of each feature
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Tab Differentiation: Optimized tab visibility with border variations and dynamic background colors
Visual Exploration / Iterations
Multiple design iterations from MVP resulted in a Mid-Fi prototypes that underwent extensive team feedback sessions. Following the trend in ERP systems, we chose a minimal color palette and ample negative space for a clean, intuitive interface. Additionally, we developed a contrasting UI version, Version B, featuring vibrant colors as requested by the CEO.
Mid-Fi Version A
Evaluate
Version A
Version A embraced a cleaner, simpler design with a limited color palette and ample negative space. This not only fostered stronger visual unity but also enhanced navigation efficiency. Users appreciated the streamlined interface, which allowed them to concentrate on their work without distractions.
Version B
Version B featured a vibrant, colorful UI aimed at creating a dynamic user experience. However, feedback indicated that this approach resulted in visual clutter, complicating navigation and detracting from usability. Users felt overwhelmed by the abundance of colors and elements, making it difficult to focus on essential tasks.
To determine which design approach resonated more with users, our team conducted A/B testing between Version A and Version B.
Final Result
Through A/B testing, we discovered that users overwhelmingly preferred Version A. The insights we gathered emphasized the importance of negative space and a simpler color scheme, both of which reduced distractions and enhanced visual comfort. These findings aligned with core UX design principles focused on clarity and ease of navigation.
Building on this data, I incorporated the insights from the A/B test to further refine and iterate on Version A. The final prototype, showcased at the top of my portfolio, reflects these enhancements, ensuring a seamless balance between aesthetics and functionality. We are also conducting usability testing to continue improving the platform’s functionality, and I will update this section soon with the latest findings.
Overall Challenges
Thank you for reading!
Lesson
From designing MVP to the final product, it's better to be flexible rather than trying to make everything perfect from the start. It's okay to try things out and fix them later based on feedback and trying different ideas.
This journey reinforced my understanding of balancing speed with thoughtful design, ensuring that we stay responsive to both user feedback and the evolving landscape of enterprise tools.
Ongoing Tasks
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Refine wording for clarity and simplicity to enhance user engagement.
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Evaluate design accessibility, with a focus on accommodating users with color blindness.
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Conduct additional usability testing to align with evolving user expectations.
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Revamp the Olobby website to incorporate updated design and branding.
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Ensure responsive design across devices to cater to diverse user needs.
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Optimize onboarding processes for a seamless initial user experience.
The Struggle
During the design process for Olobby, one of the main challenges I faced was the balance between rapid iteration and thorough planning. As a startup, the team often prioritized speed—pushing for quick design iterations based on the founder's clear vision. This approach meant that I frequently had to revisit foundational design decisions, ensuring that each new iteration aligned with our evolving UX guidelines and long-term goals. At times, it felt like progress was slower than expected because of the need for constant refinement.
Olobby is still in its R&D phase, so a significant portion of my focus has been on continuous refinement through qualitative research. This includes usability testing to validate designs and make data-driven improvements. For example, I’ve been closely monitoring key metrics like task completion rates, user interaction with prototypes, and feedback from usability sessions. Each round of testing has provided valuable insights, helping to resolve pain points and improve the user experience with every iteration.