The letting agent portal

UniHomes | 2023

Role: Senior Product Designer
Tools used: Figma, Miro, Sentry, Jira

Specialities: Design Systems, UI, UX, Documentation

The challenge

UniHomes aimed to introduce a new agent portal under a tight 5-month deadline. The company was experiencing a plateau in user engagement, and the existing portal lacked the functionality and user-friendliness to meet the growing needs of its expanding customer base. The challenge was not only overhauling the user experience but taking complete ownership of the product design process from start to finish, managing everything from initial research to the final handoff.

Ownership of the full product design cycle

As the sole product designer, I took complete ownership of the project, managing the entire design process from discovery to final delivery. This included conducting in-depth research, wireframing, high-fidelity design, and creating interactive prototypes in Figma. I worked directly with developers, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure every stage aligned with business goals and user needs.

Design system creation

Given the tight 5-month timeline, speed and efficiency were critical. I delivered a fully functioning prototype within the first three months, allowing for early feedback and iterative improvements. Conducting weekly design reviews with stakeholders enabled me to rapidly iterate on the design, addressing potential bottlenecks early and ensuring the project stayed on track.

Rapid turnaround

Recognising the need for scalability and consistency, I established a comprehensive design system and component library for the portal. This streamlined the design process and reduced future development time, allowing faster updates and easier collaboration between the design and development teams. This system was also integral in ensuring the seamless integration of UX/UI elements across the platform.

User research and testing

From the outset, I conducted user research workshops with the key agent audience to identify pain points and gather actionable insights. This research informed the creation of detailed user personas and journey maps that aligned design decisions with end-user needs. Through multiple rounds of usability testing, I validated the design decisions, ensuring that the final product met business requirements and exceeded user expectations.

Cross-functional collaboration

I was responsible for driving collaboration between design, product, and development teams, ensuring the design aligned with technical constraints while pushing for innovative solutions. Regular communication with C-level executives and key stakeholders ensured buy-in at every stage. My ability to present clear, data-driven design strategies contributed to the project's success, reinforcing trust across the organisation.