Etherstack

Overview

Client: Etherstack
Industry: Defence, Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

The client’s legacy system relied on a command-line interface (CLI) to manage mission-critical communication data. While functional, it was error-prone, costly to train on, and slowed down workflows in high-stakes environments. Our goal was to migrate from CLI to a modern, web-based platform with an intuitive UI that improved efficiency and reduced errors.

My Role

As a Product Designer (with mentorship from a senior UX designer), I:

• Defined user flows and wireframes under tight 3-month deadlines.

• Designed the Minimum Working Product (MWP) to ensure immediate usability while leaving room for feature growth.

• Applied and adapted design patterns to improve data visibility, user interaction, and error prevention.

Challenges

• No direct user access: Relied on secondary research and documentation.

• Time constraints: Only 3 months to design and deliver the MWP.

• High stakes: Mistakes in the CLI could lead to critical errors in defence and emergency contexts.

Solutions

1. Data Representation:

   • Introduced customizable data tables to display large datasets, letting personas tailor views to their needs.

2. Data Actions:

   • Explored multiple approaches (kebab menus, upfront actions) and selected a side drawer for actions, balancing scalability, clarity, and error reduction.

3. Data Manipulation:

   • Designed an in-drawer filtering system that scaled across large datasets, reducing complexity while preserving screen space.

Impact

• Error Reduction: Minimised mistakes by allowing users to preview before acting.

• Adoption: Even CLI-savvy users embraced the new UI.

• Efficiency: Easier data retrieval and manipulation streamlined workflows.

• Client Partnership: The success of the project led to continued collaboration on future releases.

Key Learnings

• The MWP approach delivered value faster than waiting for a full MVP.

• Breaking role boundaries (working closely with tech & business teams) accelerates design impact.

• Active client engagement builds trust and ensures alignment on design choices.