Greg Bowen, a Senior UX Designer, played an important role in the development of a comprehensive suite of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications for Cayuse. Aimed at scientists and universities, these applications were designed to enhance scientific outcomes by offering a unified platform for efficient resource management and tracking across various research phases, from initial funding proposals to final laboratory work.
Introduction
The objective of this project was to improve the way scientists and academic institutions manage their data and research activities. In addition to making the products more user-friendly, Cayuse was actively acquiring new products that needed to be brought inline with Cayuse’s brand standards.
Problem
Customer Advisory Boards: Greg actively participated in customer advisory boards. These sessions yielded valuable insights and data from researchers, ensuring that the software met their precise requirements.
Collaborative Design: Greg worked closely with the different UX teams at Cayuse to create a comprehensive experience across a wide range of products. This collaborative approach guaranteed that the software’s architecture and design was consistent across a wide range of products.
Design System: Updating and refining Cayuse’s design system was an important part of this project. New design elements needed to work across a wide range of products, which meant collaborating with several different departments.
Technology Integration: The nature of the Cayuse applications necessitated interfacing with technology teams to choose components that streamlined development. Greg’s history as a developer allowed him to better understand how to design for third-party software and understand needs from the programmer's perspective.
Wireframe Designs and Prototypes: Greg was responsible for crafting wireframe designs and prototypes, which served as a blueprint for the application’s interface. Wireframes provided a clear visual representation of the software’s functionality and functional prototypes allowed stakeholders and users to test components in-browser to better visualize the performance of the finished product.
Design Workshops and Presentations: Greg played a pivotal role in presenting design concepts to the project team. His ability to communicate design ideas effectively and gather feedback was instrumental in shaping final products.
High-Resolution Designs: Greg was a driving force behind the creation of high-resolution designs, translating concepts into visually captivating and user-centric interfaces. His meticulous attention to detail ensured that the final product was both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.
Process
Through focused collaboration, Greg played an important role in improving several different products at Cayuse, working with customers, designers, and stakeholders to improve systems and maintain high brand standards.
Improved Science Outcomes: The SaaS suite designed for Cayuse has a profound impact on the scientific community and leading academic institutions and Greg’s efforts improved their clarity and usefulness. These efforts have provided scientists and universities with more powerful tools to streamline their data management processes, ultimately leading to improved research outcomes.
Unified Branding: A significant challenge at Cayuse involved ensuring that a suite of existing and newly acquired applications presented a cohesive representation of the company’s brand. Through close collaboration with various UX teams, the applications were designed to provide a cohesive experience throughout the research process..
Result
This project was highly effective at improving the way scientists and academic institutions manage their data and research activities. In addition to making the products more user-friendly, new products spanning several different departments worked as a unified whole, properly representing the Cayuse brand.
