In leading the redesign of the recommendations feature at Vega Cloud, I utilized a variety of methods and tools, including user research, mind mapping, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. I also engaged in collaborative workshops with stakeholders to refine the design and ensure alignment with business goals. This comprehensive approach allowed me to transform the static recommendations into a more interactive, user-friendly system, improving both engagement and functionality within the platform.

Vega Cloud uses Amazon QuickSight to provide users with data-driven recommendations. However, these insights are read-only, leading to limited user interaction and engagement. The goal was to enhance user engagement by transforming these passive insights into actionable tasks. As the sole product designer at Vega Cloud, I led the redesign effort to integrate actionable recommendations directly within the platform. This redesign aimed to boost user interaction, streamline task management, and improve overall workflow efficiency.

Users were presented with valuable insights through QuickSight, but they could only view them in a static format without the ability to act directly on the recommendations. The primary challenge identified was low user engagement due to the passive nature of the recommendations. Users were consuming insights without taking actionable steps based on those insights, thereby limiting the platform's utility.

To ensure the redesign effectively addressed user needs and improved engagement, I first established clear objectives for the project.

"How can the recommendations feature be designed to boost user engagement?"

Before diving into the design, I conducted thorough research to better understand user pain points and opportunities for improvement.

I created a mind map to organize key features of the recommendations design, including the main components, views, priority customization, recommendation statuses, actions & interactions, and additional features, ensuring a clear and comprehensive approach to the user experience.

These design solutions were created to provide users with a more interactive and intuitive way to manage recommendations, allowing them to easily prioritize, organize, and act on insights within the platform:

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I began by sketching the Kanban board and card views, exploring layouts that visually organized tasks while making recommendations easily actionable. I added sketches of the card views as well as a drawer for defining the priority of cards. These sketches helped quickly iterate on ideas, guiding the final design toward a user-friendly interface that balances clarity and functionality.

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I mocked up wireframes and created a prototype to gather feedback from Product, Engineering, and the users on the overall layout.

I performed usability tests with the prototypes of both views on external and internal users. Users highlighted the benefits of interacting directly with recommendations within the platform, without needing to switch between tools. This seamless integration led to more frequent use, increased interaction, and higher overall engagement. Users found the system visually pleasing and appreciated that they could manage recommendations and tasks in one place, which ultimately benefited their workflow and increased the platform’s overall utility.

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After iterative improvements, the final design showed:

The redesign of the recommendations feature significantly enhanced the user experience. By transforming recommendations from read-only to actionable tasks, users were encouraged to engage more frequently and actively utilize the platform's features. The introduction of Kanban board and card views streamlined task management and progress tracking, improving workflow efficiency. Additionally, the ability to prioritize recommendations as high, medium, or low led to a ~15% increase in savings, allowing users to focus on their most critical insights. Overall, these improvements not only maximized the platform's value but also resulted in higher user satisfaction and a more personalized experience.

This project taught me the value of turning passive insights into actionable tasks, highlighting the impact of thoughtful design on user engagement. By focusing on user needs and behaviors, I was able to create an interface that not only improved interaction but also delivered measurable business results. Going forward, I aim to focus on designing for user engagement by developing creative UX solutions that prioritize simplicity and efficiency, ultimately enhancing overall user satisfaction.