Re-Shaping STRIAD AI––

Driving usability and empowering ui for market leadership

STRIAD AI sample - Step 1 • Competitor Analysis
Overview of part of the document created in Confluence

STRIAD AI • Report
before redesign

STRIAD AI • Form
before redesign

STRIAD AI • Form
One of the main issue about the form was the lack
of visual cues regarding the length of each form

Step 2 • Design Direction Journey

Next, I mapped out a design direction journey, tracing past UI decisions and exploring alternative solutions.

This process involved assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each previous iteration, identifying opportunities for improvement, and evaluating new approaches that could enhance user experience.

This helped me identify which changes would have the most impact. It provided clarity on which design elements needed refinement, allowing me to prioritise improvements that would enhance usability and visual appeal.

This approach also allowed me to evaluate the Junior UX/UI Designer's understanding and strategic thinking. I asked them to provide feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of previous designs, highlighting any suggestions we could implement moving forward.

BEFORE

AFTER

Step 4 • Documentation and Stakeholder Alignment

I documented every design decision, connecting them to user pain points and business goals.
During a presentation to stakeholders, PMs, and the product team, I outlined how these changes would improve user satisfaction and retention.

By sharing this document with stakeholders and the product team, I help build trust, facilitate buy-in, and drive strategic alignment.

By sharing this document with the Junior UX/UI Designer, I provided guidance on effective teamwork, aligning design with user and business needs, and maintaining a user-centric approach. It served as both a practical resource and a tool for supporting their professional growth.

Measuring Impact

While the redesign addressed immediate pain points, I identified further opportunities to enhance retention, including:

— Attract (UI appeal) increased from 71% to 85%.

— Convert (user retention) rose from 66% to 75%.

The changes directly addressed user complaints, such as crowded questionnaires and unclear navigation.

The product’s appeal and visual identity are better aligned with the target audience.

Additionally, the success rate of completing tasks within STRIAD improved, reinforcing the value of design.

I was tasked with directly managing the Junior Designer, ensuring they understood and implemented best practices and effective ways of working within the team.

My role extended beyond oversight to actively supporting their professional development by identifying growth opportunities, providing constructive feedback, and fostering their skillset. This included mentoring them on user-centered design methodologies, encouraging independent problem-solving, and facilitating their contributions to larger projects.
By creating a supportive environment, I aimed to empower them to build confidence, refine their technical expertise, and become an integral part of the team’s success.

I was also asked to participate in operational meetings with the senior management team, where strategic direction and high-level decisions regarding the product were discussed. My involvement allowed me to contribute a design perspective to these conversations, ensuring that user needs and design considerations were aligned with the broader business objectives.

In March 2024, the government introduced the AI Act, a transformative regulation requiring compliance from AI-powered tools handling sensitive data.

For STRIAD AI, Trilateral Research’s flagship platform, this marked a critical moment. Designed to help organisations manage data effectively and collaborate seamlessly while adhering to privacy regulations, STRIAD faced new pressures to remain competitive in the private market.

As a Senior UX/UI Designer, I was tasked to with making STRIAD more appealing, functional, and user-focused in a crowded market. I collaborated with the Junior UX/UI Designer already working on the product, using the opportunity to mentor and help develop their skills.

Understanding the Problem

To start, I conducted a comprehensive survey using Microsoft Forms to assess STRIAD’s performance from a user perspective, employing the Attract, Connect, Convert (ACC) methodology:

— Attract
How visually appealing and engaging is the product?

— Connect
Does the product address user pain points and needs?

— Convert
Does the product encourage long-term, consistent use?

The survey revealed compelling insights:

— 91% felt the product effectively connected with their needs.
— Only 71% found the interface visually engaging.
— A concerning 66% expressed doubts about ongoing use, indicating weak retention.

The feedback underscored two key issues:

The UI needed significant improvement to better attract users.
The product required features communication and customer support features to create user retention.
This case study focuses on how I enhanced the former, which in turn had a significant impact on the latter.

Designing a Solution

Step 1 • Competitor Analysis + Existing Feedback

I began with a visual competitor analysis, examining STRIAD’s design against similar platforms. Key areas of focus and main product features included:

— Repository layout

— Questionnaire presentation

— Sidebar navigation

— Color schemes

This analysis highlighted opportunities to refine STRIAD’s design and better align it with user expectations.

In parallel, I tasked the Junior Designer with reviewing and organising all feedback from the user testing and feedback sessions, categorising it by some of the features mentioned above. My goal was to compare this data with the survey results, reinforce the findings, and identify any gaps.

STRIAD AI sample - Step 3 • Redesign the Product
Each destination in the navigation bar includes two pages a "Repository” - enable the user to access all the compliance forms - and "Forms” - enable the user to create or record a compliance form.

Step 3 • Redesigning the Product

With these insights, we re-imagined STRIAD’s interface with the following main design features:

— Streamlined the “Forms”: Introduced a stepper for better navigation and reduced cognitive load.

— Refined visual hierarchy: Addressed cluttered layouts and replaced black lines with softer, more user-friendly elements.

— Enhanced color scheme: Adopted a classic palette to improve visual appeal to the target audience.

Redesigning the product alongside the Junior Designer was highly effective, as having two designers allowed us to collaborate on wireframes and leverage our shared understanding to work more efficiently.

Next Steps

While the redesign addressed immediate pain points, I identified further opportunities to enhance retention, including:

— In-app notifications to guide users.

— Comprehensive user guides for onboarding.

— Feedback forms for continuous improvement.

— Improved download features for reports and data exports.

We also began integrating the UI updates into Storybook to standardise components and foster collaboration between designers and engineers.

I asked the Junior Designer to create a feedback forms template for all user sessions, designed to be used both before and after iterations on the same pain points.
This approach enables us to gather focused insights and streamline the improvement process.
This will also give her a sense of ownership and empower them to take a more active role in the design process, fostering confidence and professional growth.

Reflection

This project demonstrated the power of user-driven design to transform a product’s competitive standing.
By addressing visual appeal and retention-focused features, STRIAD AI not only adapted to regulatory pressures but also positioned itself as a trusted, modern solution for private market clients. It was a rewarding challenge, showcasing the strategic role of UX/UI in meeting both user needs and business goals.

Reflecting on this project, I demonstrated leadership by mentoring the Junior Designer and supporting their professional growth while fostering a collaborative and empowering environment.

Participating in operational meetings enhanced my strategic thinking, allowing me to align design decisions with broader business goals. This dual role showcased my ability to communicate effectively across all levels, take ownership of challenges, and balance team development with project success. Overall, the experience strengthened my leadership skills, strategic perspective, and ability to drive meaningful outcomes for both the team and the organization.