THE TIMELINE
January 2023 - March 2023
THE REQUIREMENTS
Elevance Health’s Secure Messaging was initially comprised of two different online solutions that are both woefully outdated. A modernized visual redesign was requested of the design team to assist in the process of combining the two platforms into one application.
THE TEAM
1 Design Lead, 1 UX/UI Designer
MY RESPONSIBILITIES
My responsibilities for this project consisted of three main tasks. The first was to clearly define all design issues. Second, I devised a design modernization strategy to meet project requirements. Third, I collaborated with the design lead assigned to the project to obtain approval for each design iteration.
THE PROBLEM
Both of the current applications Elevance was using were legacy platforms that were going to need significant adjustments in order to combine them in a visually pleasing way. A lack of readability and proper usage of negative space had created two very bad visual extremes that would ultimately serve as guard rails in my process going forward.
THE SOLUTION
In the process of ideating for a modernization strategy, I studied multiple iconic messaging management applications. In doing so, I was able to ideate an approach that yielded a very familiar visual feeling. This spacial motif along with new typography and iconography rounded out my final design solutions.
VISUAL PAIN POINTS
UPDATEs - MESSAGE VIEW
* The utilization of the entire interface allows for negative space to support readability improvements and contributes to a more modern visual theme.
* The Message History feature provides the ability for multiple users from the same practice to see which messages have already been sent a response.
* Data points relevant to the message subject matter are stacked in a symmetrical pattern, and supported by an Availity design system Alert - Card.
* The Detailed Question dropdown menu provides appropriate context regarding the details of the message or entire message thread.
UPDATEs - folders VIEW
* The expanded view of each list item allows users to see additional data points for each message, as well as date and time stamp information.
* The usage of icons gives users context for which messages have yet to be opened, and alert badges note messages that are urgent in nature.
THE RESULTS
Overall, the end result was a far better visual interface in terms of space, readability, and enhanced features. With all design requirements acheieved, the user’s experience of the application is much improved.
THE TAKEAWAYS
From my perspective, the experience of completing this project was the ultimate case study of familiarity and learnability being leveraged to deliver a vastly better application both visually, and experientially.