Addressing accessibility issues in microbiology tools
I was hired to redesign Pytri, a web based data collection and analysis platform tailored to microbiologists. This platform allows researchers to upload, analyze and visualize complex datasets from microbiological experiments.
This case study walks through my UX Design process from user research to final design, focusing on optimizing workflows, improving accessibility and enhancing data visualization.
Time
2 Sprints (10 weeks)
An end to end update experience to make large scale data analysis simple
At Pytri, I focused on identifying and resolving accessibility challenges within a specific workflow as part of a larger effort to redesign the platform. This project involved conducting thorough research, pinpointing problem areas, and designing innovative solutions to alleviate user frustrations. My design process as outlined in the chart below, was guided by the following key objectives:
Key Objectives:
Streamline the data upload and analysis process to save time for researchers
Enhance the platforms data visualization capabilities to facilitate clearer insights
Improve accessibility for users with divers levels of technical proficiency.
Pinpointing navigation and data visibility struggles
To better understand the scope of these challenges and how they impacted scalability and usability, I conducted research including both user interviews and data analysis.
Stakeholder interviews
I conducted interviews with internal stakeholders to map out workflows, bottlenecks and long-term goals. A key finding was that inconsistent navigation hindered productivity and users wanted a more streamlined experience.
Usability and Data Analytics
I performed usability testing and analyzed platform usage data.
Key insights included:
Users found it difficult to handle large datasets due to poor data presentation
The systems inability to manage detailed images led to inefficient workflows
Competitive Analysis
I evaluated other data-driven platforms to identify scalable navigation patterns and efficient visualization techniques used by industry leaders such as Google cloud, AWS, Azure, Jira etc.
The Challenge: Redesign a platform to be seamless, scalable and user-friendly for microbiologists
While Pytri was an innovative solution for microbiologists, several challenges hindered its scalability and usability:
Designing for Clarity, Speed, and Accessibility
Persona Development & Journey Mapping
To align the redesign with user needs, I developed personas and journey maps, ensuring solutions addressed real-world challenges.
Wireframing & Prototyping
I created low-fidelity wireframes to test key improvements:
Intuitive Side Navigation: Consolidated global actions into a modular, scalable system.
Enhanced Data Visibility: Introduced collapsible sections and full-screen options for clearer insights.
Optimized Image Viewing: Implemented high-resolution zoom and an accessible edit bar.
Key Solutions Implemented
Modular Navigation System
A scalable, modular navigation system that could grow as the platform expanded, providing a consistent and intuitive experience for both current and future users.
Optimized Data Visualization
A zoom feature that maintained image clarity even at high magnification, ensuring microbiologists could examine intricate details without compromising quality.
Improved Data Readability
Collapsible sections, smart filters, and customizable views help users focus on the most relevant data.
Impact & Results
Secured $100K in government funding following the first redesign.
Improved user efficiency with a more structured workflow and enhanced accessibility.
Second redesign currently in development with planned A/B testing to refine solutions.
Reflections
Moving forward, I plan to conduct A/B testing to measure the impact of the redesign and identify any remaining usability gaps. By focusing on accessibility and usability, Pytri now empowers microbiologists with a seamless and scalable research experience.