Laptop with a website for company management on the screen. The modern design showed purple text "SHELF COMPANY" and blue text "SHEIAL90" in an ui/ux interface for a big data dashboard of an online shelf company. The black background had a minimalistic style with clean lines, high resolution, and high quality details.

Project overview

Product
The specialized EMS for music schools streamlines operations with features for student enrollment, scheduling, faculty management, and music-specific needs. It generates detailed reports and includes a POS system for transactions, enhancing efficiency and enabling data-driven decision-making within the school.
Project duration
12 Weeks; Jan 2024 - Mar 2024
Problem
I am redesigning the music school's EMS system to improve UI design, address daily issues with new modules, and create an end-user app for enhanced accessibility and future development opportunities.
Goal
The redesign aims to align the UI design with end-users' expectations, seamlessly integrate an app into the EMS system, and incorporate a new module to address specific needs while improving overall efficiency.
My role
As the sole UI/UX designer, I played a pivotal role in leading the redesign and development of the EMS project, with a specific focus on creating impactful user experiences and introducing new modules.

I collaborated closely with the project manager and programmer to ensure synergy across design, project management, and development efforts, ultimately delivering a user-friendly app for both students and teachers.
Responsibilities:
  • Define the problem and provide insights to inform the ideation phase
  • Visual design of low-fi and high-fi wireframes, prototypes, and user testing
  • Conduct interview
  • Define personas, user journeys, empathy maps, and user flows

Understanding the user

User research
Persona
Problem statements
User journey maps

User research

Summary
To address UI design issues, I conducted research to understand the underlying causes and identify effective solutions. Additionally, I explored the implementation of a new module to streamline daily operational tasks for frontline staff. This research aims to gain insights into improving the UI design and optimizing the new module's functionality for efficient workflow management.
Methodology

Time consumed

The interviews are estimated to last between 3 to 4 hours.

# of interviewee

A group interview, total of four individuals, including owners, managers, and front-line staff.

Flow of interview

We will begin by discussing the existing modules of the EMS system. After that, our focus will shift to the development and implementation of a new module.

Location

The interviews will take place at the participants' company in a designated private room.
Question
" Can you specify UI issues with the calendar design. "
" What are the new module you expected to add into the system? "
" What is the usage of student app in this EMS system ?"
Pain points
1

The iconology in the calendar module

Issues with the calendar module's iconology include unclear and confusing icons, small size affecting visibility, unclear hour dividers, and inconsistent time slot heights.
2

Music teacher is not a main role in the EMS

To handle the unique payment structure of music teachers, a separate module should be created in the EMS. This module will manage their courses and calculate their salary based on teaching hours, distinguishing them from regular staff.
3

Daily enquiry could not be record

The current process of recording daily enquiries using ink is causing difficulties for front-line staff. To address this, a more efficient system should be implemented to digitally record and track daily enquiries.
4

Student is not participant for the EMS

The current process requires teachers or students to inform staff to make changes in the system, leading to additional steps and workload. Additionally, it becomes difficult to inform students about new updates and promotions.

Persona

Problem statement

Christian Leung, a 43-year-old HR master's graduate, became the Operations Manager at a prestigious music school. Recognizing the need for improvement, she collaborated with you, the school representative, to revamp the existing EMS.

User journey map

Starting the design

Sitemap
Moodbaord
Paper wireframe
Digital wireframe
Interview

Sitemap

To ensure ease of navigation and access to relevant features and functionalities of the EMS system, we will employ a flat structure with a hierarchy layer sitemap. This approach offers several benefits. Firstly, there will be three distinct sitemaps: one for the existing EMS, and separate sitemaps for the teacher and student mobile apps. This separation allows for a focused and tailored experience for each user group.
Secondly, the existing modules and new modules will be displayed differently, maintaining a clear distinction between them. This logical organization of information facilitates efficient usage and prevents confusion. Additionally, the hierarchy layer sitemap enables different levels of access and permissions based on roles and responsibilities, ensuring appropriate data security and user management.

Moodboard & Paper wireframes

Based on my understanding, we have decided to apply the moodboard for the EMS project to both the existing design and past design files.

This will help us maintain consistency throughout the entire project, ensuring a cohesive visual experience. While we currently have only paper wireframes for the app, our primary focus for the existing EMS will be on enhancing functionality and paying attention to detail.

We aim to refine and improve existing features rather than making drastic changes to the user interface (UI).

Digital wireframes

Digital wireframes will primarily focus on the new module and its flow within the EMS system. While developing the wireframes, we will rely on the design style that has been consistently used before to maintain visual continuity and a cohesive user experience.

The emphasis will be on creating an intuitive and efficient user flow, ensuring that the new module seamlessly integrates with the existing design. By aligning the UI design with the established style, we can provide a familiar interface to users while introducing new functionality in a visually consistent manner.

Low-fidelity prototype

the low-fidelity prototype will specifically prioritize the functionality of the new module and outline the step-by-step process for completing actions within it. The emphasis will be on capturing the core functionalities and user interactions required for the module's successful implementation.

While the prototype may lack intricate design elements, it will effectively demonstrate the flow and user journey, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback and validate the functionality before proceeding to higher-fidelity iterations.
View prototype:
Low-fidelity prototype

interview

Methodology

Time consumed

The interviews are estimated to last between 3 to 4 hours.

# of interviewee

A group interview, total of four individuals, including owners, managers, and front-line staff.

Flow of interview

We will begin with the EMS system. And we will shift focus to the app.

Location

The interviews will take place at the participants' company in a designated private room.
Presentation
How to add a teacher to the EMS system
How the student and teacher will entry the leave record thought the App
What is the change of the existing timetable to a new design
Findings
1

The process of enquiry module should be more flexible

To enhance flexibility in the enquiry module, we will modify the existing process. Instead of mandatory trial classes, the client's request allows for direct conversion of trial students to regular students at any time. This adjustment streamlines the enrolment process, offering greater flexibility for converting enquiries.
2

The status for a lesson is automatically register or by-hand should be clear

Clearly differentiate between automatically registered and manually registered classes. Lessons that are automatically registered will be labeled as "Auto-Registered" in the system, while manual registrations will remain unchanged. Additionally, we will provide a button to allow the client to disable the automatic registration function if desired.
3

Reflect which room is temporarily deactivate in Timetable

To prevent confusion and errors, the timetable will clearly display which rooms are temporarily deactivated. This feature ensures that users can easily identify unavailable rooms, minimizing misunderstandings. Additionally, the timetable will automatically reschedule after a room is deactivated, maintaining an updated and accurate schedule.

Refining the design

Mockups
High-fidelity prototype
Going forward

Mockups

The process of enquiry module
Based on the client's request, the enquiry module allows for the status of a student to be changed at any time.

The first two images demonstrate the direct transition from a trial student to a regular student without the need for a trial class.

In contrast, the second set of images depicts the normal flow where a student undergoes a trial class before being converted to a regular student. This flexibility in status transition accommodates different scenarios and provides the client with the desired options for managing student enrolment.
The status for a lesson
In response to the client's request, the student profile will clearly reflect the status of each lesson. This visibility will ensure that students are aware of their enrolled classes. Additionally, a button will be provided to allow students to opt-out of automatic class registration if desired.

Moreover, students will have the ability to expand the accordion of each class in their profile to view detailed invoices associated with that particular lesson. This feature enables students to access and review invoice details conveniently. By incorporating these functionalities, we enhance transparency and provide students with greater control and access to information related to their lessons and invoices.
Timetable
I have added a dedicated section to reflect deactivated classes. This section will clearly indicate which classes are currently inactive, preventing any confusion or misunderstandings. Additionally, a list of icons with accompanying text will be displayed to convey specific messages related to each icon's meaning. This ensures that users can easily understand the status or message associated with each class.

Furthermore, the time intervals in the timetable will be properly aligned, allowing for a clear and organized representation of the schedule. These enhancements enhance user experience and facilitate effective class management.

High-fidelity prototype

Based on the design rules we previously established and the valuable insights gathered during the interview, I have taken the initiative to create high-fidelity prototypes for both the app and EMS system.

These prototypes reflect the intricate details, visual aesthetics, and interactive flows that will shape the final products. By immersing myself in the user's perspective, I aim to ensure that the designs effectively meet their needs and expectations.

Going forward

Impact
In the EMS project, my responsibilities include restructuring the sitemap and improving the user flow to enhance the overall experience. I design the app UI, ensuring it aligns with the system's requirements and branding guidelines.

Collecting user opinions and feedback is a key part of my role, allowing me to make informed decisions and redesign certain elements for better usability. Through these efforts, I strive to create an intuitive and visually appealing EMS system that meets user needs and fosters a positive user experience.
What I learned
During this project, I have acquired valuable skills and knowledge. One of the key lessons I learned was how to effectively follow an existing design framework and seamlessly integrate new elements into it. This involved understanding the established design principles, styles, and components, and applying them consistently to maintain a cohesive user experience.

Additionally, I honed my abilities to demonstrate and present my work to clients. By effectively communicating design decisions, showcasing prototypes, and addressing client concerns, I enhanced my presentation skills and built stronger relationships with clients, ensuring their satisfaction and trust in the project outcomes.
Next step
1
I will organize user testing sessions to gather valuable feedback and insights on the prototype. This will help identify any usability issues, validate design decisions, and make necessary refinements to ensure the EMS system meets user needs effectively.
2
Based on the feedback received from user testing, I will iterate on the design, addressing identified pain points and improving the overall user experience. This involves refining interaction flows, visual elements, and incorporating user suggestions to create a more polished and user-friendly EMS system.
3
I will closely collaborate with the development team to ensure seamless implementation of the design. This involves providing detailed design specifications, addressing any technical challenges that may arise, and actively participating in discussions and reviews to maintain design integrity throughout the development process.
Thank you for watching my entire project portfolio.
Your interest is greatly appreciated.