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CA EDD Redesign
A look at how a new "look" can simplify so much for so many so easily
see below
CONTENTS:
Setup
Type:
REDESIGN of CA Gov EDD Website & phone app
Role:
Sole UX/UI Designer
Timeline:
1 month
UC Berkeley Bootcamp Project
Problem
The CA Employment Development Department ("EDD") does not make it easy to file a new claim.
In fact, it deters them.
Solution
Streamline and prioritize information.
"Filing a new claim" now the easiest thing to do
Heuristic Analysis
OVERALL:
Too much WHITE SPACE
TOO MUCH TEXT
Extraneous and confusing site mapping
NEED clear CTA BUTTONS
MULTIPLE buttons serve SAME function - on SAME page!
NOT comforting
A struggle for native speakers, let alone ESL speakers
FULL ANALYSIS with wireflow:
Research
PROTO PERSONA:
Due to time constraints (this project was done in bootcamp), I
leaned on my EXPERIENCE dealing with CA EDD (twice) as well
as those I know in the entertainment industry.
My proto persona encompasses these first and third hand
experiences:
To support my statement that "filing a new claim" is the number
one site function, please see the following government-supported
surveys/facts:
The Fix
CARD SORTING:
Here I discovered piles upon piles of duplicate information.
NEW SITE MAP:
The new site map eliminates the duplicate information and many of the unnecessary crossover paths too (see earlier wireflow diagram).
Wireframes
DESKTOP - Version 1.0
"Keep It Simple Stupid"
The KISS mantra was extremely important in my redesign. Per my research, the typical person filing for unemployment is NOT making over 75k annually; English may not be their first language; many are middle-aged; and they are stressed because, well, they need money.
Big buttons and a simple layout make the site much easier to navigate and understand.
DESKTOP - Version 2.0
After some favorable user testing (due, I believe, to the limited content), I fleshed out my wireframes from lo to mid fidelity.
My favorite development occurred in the header. Sub-categories were impossible to avoid due to all the information. However, I wanted a unique way to portray them. Here I popped out the "File a Claim" while keeping "Claims" faded but in view, so one's overall place on the site isn't lost.
MOBILE - Version 1.0
To make the mobile version responsive, I incorporated the big button, easy to read design of the desktop.
Like the desktop, I wanted to find a unique way to display the numerous categories and sub-categories. Here I am playing with an "index card" design. Can't say I'm in love with it, but it's a start.
MOBILE - Version 2.0
After a much needed round of in-person user testing (and some time spent thinking about my style), I finally started to get a more clear picture of my design.
I wanted a faded retro contemporary California look (see my moodboard in the next section) Hence the "retro radio design." The dials and buttons fit my main categories. My "index card" system also no works as part of the design, a nod to the past, present and future.
Adding Style
MOODBOARD:
"Faded retro contemporary California look" says
it all.
My moodboard inspired my mobile "radio
design." The radio is the rare technological
innovation from the past we still use today (i.e.
bridges.).
STYLE GUIDE:
I aimed to stick to the style of the current
website as much as possible (to appease "user
familiarity"). All the logos are the same and
layouts closely match.
I made use of the existing color palette to
emphasize my "faded retro CA" look and feel.
STYLE + DESKTOP WIREFRAMES:
STYLE + MOBILE WIREFRAMES:
Conclusion
Since this was a bootcamp exercise, there will be no future development.
I found the exercise incredibly rewarding, not just from a lesson standpoint
but from a real world standpoint.
I never understood the real world power of UX UI design before this
exercise and how much it can impact people's lives.
After reviewing the CA EDD website, it became clear how poor website
design can make life even more difficult for people during very
DIFFICULT times (i.e. they just lost their jobs, if not worse).
Realizing how much I can help people in real world, stressful situations
with knowledgeable and logical and sound UX UI design definitely inspires
me to pursue more socially impactful UX UI projects.