Projects

Public access to the Internet through WiFi is becoming more and more popular. It is now available in cafes, airports and other public places. However, it is rather complicated to get connected or use the service.
In order to help our partners from MegaFon make WiFi service transparent for users we held an international research aimed to learn how such services are rendered in Russia and abroad, in particular in Germany and the UK. In course of studying various providers and types of hotspots we assessed their advantages and disadvantages in order to work out a list of recommendations for MegaFon.
«I am pleased with the results of the research, I received answers to all the questions», — commented Andrey Shubin, Project Manager, MegaFon.

High speed and quality of decision making has a vital importance for effective management of a company, especially in the rapidly changing business environment. High quality interface enables to focus on the user’s tasks and not on peculiarities of the system’s interface.
We have fulfilled this idea within the framework of a project for SIBUR, a leader of the Russian oil and gas industry. Our goal was to improve a user interface of a document management system. We have redesigned the interface and made it more efficient: fast, convenient, and more user friendly. We also enhanced a visual design in compliance with SIBUR corporate style.

Banki.ru is a major information portal on banks in the Russian Internet offering a range of services to its visitors. We worked on design of a deposits calculator for the portal. We developed an easy-to-use tool that helps estimate returns on a deposit subject to all the taxes and dues.

UIDesign has carried out a user research for one of products of the world major automobile manufacturer, Volkswagen. It was a part of an international project lead by our partner, UXalliance, an international alliance of usability companies.
Though the customer’s requirements to management of this project were very strict, we succeeded in satisfying the organizational and professional objectives of the client, therefore we received a very high appraisal of the work completed.

OPENSPACE.RU is a source of trustworthy information on the broadest scope of issues of contemporary art and cultural events. Stakeholders of the project strived to satisfy the users’ needs, thus they applied to us to get some professional advice and help. We decided to launch a user experience testing in order to identify and eliminate main problems. This was one of such projects that we enjoyed very much as cooperation with users was very interesting -among our respondents there were collectors, cinephiles, owners of art galleries, etc.
We received high appraisal for the work done and we are sure our solutions will improve a manner and quality of information presentation on the portal.
«This is not the first time I am working with your company. I very much appreciate the results of our mutual cooperation!» — said Anastasia Vergazova, the editor of OPENSPACE.RU project.

We have successfully completed a large user research study for TNK-BP. The project was ‘bilingual’ as we revised both the Russian and English versions of the Web site. We had two main tasks: collect and analyze the requirements to the corporate site (tnk-bp.ru и tnk-bp.com) and conduct a broad user experience testing. We have fulfilled dozens of interviews and testing sessions with Russian and foreign journalists and financial analysts. The work was rather tense for us, but we were glad to find out that TNK-BP representatives found our analytical reports and recommendations to be useful.

One of the main lines of business of the major energy company is construction of new facilities: dams, power plants, etc. Large construction projects considered to be priorities for the company, thus handled directly by the top management. However, Intranet system that allowed to monitor the construction works in place was very inconvenient and, hence, not efficient. Our aim was to develop a new user interface that would be not just user friendly, but also would have a nice visual design.

Development of broadband Internet has been changing the idea of spending time in front of a TV. It is not a mere watching anymore. On the contrary, it is an interactive type of activity, where audience is turning into participants of the process of forming and distributing programs. Our role in this project was to make the work with the interactive SBT convenient and pleasant for the whole family.

In early May we were carrying out a comparative testing of an old and new version of a popular sports portal, EUROSPORT.RU. The project turned out to be exciting, especially when communicating with the users. We have tested the web sites with the help of several groups of users, for instance, football fans, which was rather interesting.
It was one of our major international projects led by UXalliance that we fulfilled together with Axance, our French partner.

Based on the user research results we came to the conclusion that the interface of the current Internet-bank needs several vital changes. Since the system was used by corporate clients and individuals, we suggested creating an interface for two main users’ roles. The interface for accounting experts has been adapted for financial transactions peculiar to legal entities, it has a special terminology. While the interface for individuals was designed to be easy and clear for people unfamiliar with financial terms. A user can choose the interface they like. We also changed a multilevel navigation into a simpler one so that most of the operations could be done in one click. An airy visual design made a general perception of the system more attractive and easy. We got a very high appraisal of the work completed.

We are glad to announce a completion of a usability test of Mobile Mummy WAP-portal. During April and May we invited a lot of young mothers to interview and to monitor their work with the portal. We identified the issues and offered solutions that helped Beeline development team to improve their new portal. However, the portal already received a positive feedback of the users, which pleased the client very much.

Photo.Site is one of the oldest and most popular online photo resources in Russia. Eventually its structure and functions grew and became rather complicated, so the time has come to optimize the Web site in accordance with the users’ needs. We did a deep analysis of the audience and the existing interface solution. Our challenge was to redesign the Web site and not to lose its peculiarities and advantages.

As a partner of User Interface Design GmbH we have carried out a large-scale usability testing of smart phones of one of the major handset manufacturer.
In addition to the materials and study report we also arranged a presentation of main results to the customer company and a number of recommendations for improvements of the user interface of the tested device.

A DoubleGIS company product — a geo-informational system integrated with the municipal information service. We participated in the development of the new version of the product. Within the framework of the project we collected and analyzed a lot of data, developed a new interface and conducted a wide-scale usability test. One of the most important features of the project was the necessity of implementing the system using RibbonBar technology (used in Microsoft Office 2007). This significantly influenced the location of navigational elements and controls in the system.

DocUnity is a modern system of electronic document and records management. Our aim of working on this project was to develop a flexible customizable system. Owing to the information gathered during interviews and contextual research we worked out interesting solutions that also ensured a quick viable implementation of the system.

We have developed a new interface for the video-streaming module in the SPORTBOX.RU portal. The project was implemented using Microsoft® Silverlight™ technology to formulate the interface. In the course of the project our experts studied this technology and created interfaces which apply it directly. The redesigned interface allows the selecting and viewing of sports broadcasts with improved quality and convenience.

Naumen Service Desk is a solution used in the automation of tech support and IT management services. We have developed a new interface, accounting for real work scenarios and users' needs, coupled with an attractive visual design.

The new version of «Afisha», a popular entertainment site, was recently released in a new and improved form, with an updated design and new features. So they could be confident about the convenience of the new site, the decision was taken to carry out competitive usability testing involving both «Afisha» and some of its competitors.
The project took about two months: we did the preliminary work, carried out the usability testing, processed the results and prepared a comparative analysis. As part of our involvement we compiled a range of recommendations on improving the user characteristics of the portal. This knowledge allowed our client to address the needs of regular visitors to the portal and attract new visitors.

Acronis is a global provider of storage management software that enables corporations and individuals to move, manage and maintain digital assets. Acronis software products are sold in more than 180 countries and are available in 15 languages. The convenience and efficiency of its solutions is one of the main factors ensuring the company's leading position in the industry. The company has established a user interface design department.
We conducted training sessions for the department staff on October 27-29 called «Usability and user interface design. Personas modeling practice».

Our continuing cooperation with Beeline has seen the fruition of a new project, for which we conducted expert evaluation and usability testing of a new mobile service. This project is unique, due to its use of certain special equipment, used to make video recordings of users interacting with mobile phones as they performed certain tasks.

We have carried out a usability audit of a system designed for managing printers in corporate networks. The system targets professional users, which greatly influenced the sophistication of the project.
Our experts evaluated every steps of working with the system, from installing the application to direct management of a specific printer. The results were reported in both Russian and English and were fully accepted by the client, who used them to introduce further corrections into the system.

The task was to conduct an audit of user interfaces within the internet service used by the clients of Severnaya Kazna bank. The product's audience includes two very distinct groups: on the one hand, accountants and corporate clients; and on the other, individuals actively involved with finance. We came up with 49 user scenarios and tested most of them. We used both expert evaluation and usability testing techniques to evaluate the user interface qualities of the internet banking experience

Within the framework of this project we made a range of observations and conducted interviews with the users, created a new concept for the system and developed a detailed interface, which is not only convenient and efficient but also esthetically pleasing: one of our tasks was the visual design of the system.

From this seminar the attendees learned both the general principles used in the design of user interfaces and the specific algorithms that should be applied in the course of development. We covered all the key areas of the process in detail: users' requirements gathering, data analysis and the creation of personas.

We faced not a trivial task of integrating into one interface the data from various advertisement locations and creating tools for managing advertising campaigns. We basically had to cram a lot of data onto several screens while keeping the analysis and manipulation of the data clear and natural for users.

Internet bank systems represent a highly convenient service. You do not have to go to the bank and stand in a queue in order to get your account balance, convert cash from one currency to another or repay a loan. Moreover, you can use internet banking for paying monthly bills by transferring money straight from your current account.

The search process in the reference system depends on the section where the user is located, whereas in the original version of the system the search line was located underneath the tabs and the users always assumed that the entire system would be searched. Because searches did not work as users expected, we highlighted a lot of difficulties in the usability testing sessions.

In the course of the latest project that we carried out for Beeline, we conducted some complex research that included a competitive evaluation of the company's new mobile service, as well as usability testing. As a result of the research conducted, we measured usability metrics indicating the quality of the interfaces compared; and suggested solutions targeted at improving the services.

Since the system basically represents a set of blocks that are used to construct one service or another, the main functions used by developers are micro-design and the optimization of interface solutions, as well as the development of key patterns used to solve particular tasks.

GARANT Platform F1 System, specialized databases on all branches of Russian legislation, is one of the largest reference systems out there. The legislative acts of 77 regions of Russia as well as the decisions of ten Federal Arbitration Courts of Circuits (FAC) are presented in the system. The information resources of the GARANT system exceed 1000000 (1M) documents. Many lawyers, accountants and managers would not be able to do their jobs without it. The efficiency and ease of using such a sophisticated system are some of the key criteria. We carried out extensive usability testing of the system to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of its user interface. As a result, we formulated a range of new solutions and recommendations for improving the interface and supporting user's scenarios.

Yet another project that we have completed with a foreign partner. This time we worked in partnership with an interdisciplinary and creative consulting firm that has specialized in usability testing of user interfaces, called User Interface design GmbH. The work was done for one of the world's largest software developers (primarily graphic related) - Corel Corporation. We were entrusted with conducting the research phase of the project: studying the habits of users working with CorelDraw Graphics Suite X3, conducting interviews, handling and processing the results.

Yet another successfully competed work related to the production and distribution of mobile content. The market for such services is growing fast, competition is high and high-quality interfaces are viewed as a clear advantage. For this project we participated in the development of interfaces which keep track of sales statistics for mobile operators. This system is incorporated into a range of services offered by Avant Mobile (trademark: Mobster) to its clients.

Yandex.Mail is one of the largest Russian e-mail services. For this project we conducted high-scale usability testing, carried out detailed analysis of the results and formulated a range of suggestions for optimizing the service.

As a part of our joint work with German usability company SirValUse, we conducted research and carried out a user experience study of the intranet portal belonging to one of the largest producers of computer equipment.
The project was made up of several stages: field research and interviews with users (we studied their communication habits at work), usability testing of the current version of the portal and the formulation of a summary report featuring the results of data analysis and a description of any problems found, all within the framework of the agreed requirements. We also made some recommendations about the interface.

Unlike filling out an MTPL policy, where you need to enter a lot of data into the system, the express payment is a fast and simple operation. Remember, it is a luxury to spend more than a minute on a client if there is a queue of them in front of the operator.

Beeline, being a leader in the mobile communications market, is always developing and introducing new services. Our task in this project was the optimization of the user interface of one of these services.
The common goals, structure and test functionality of the service were originally provided by the client. We conducted research on the existing release, carried out extensive usability testing and suggested a range of conceptual and detailed solutions based on the results of the analysis.
Together with the client's own experts we selected and later processed in great detail the most effective ways of introducing the key features of the service into the interface.

The growth in popularity of mobile communication has been followed by an increase in the number of value-added services (VAS): downloading pictures and ringtones, using chat. In this project we have developed an internet resource interface for the sellers of such services.
With its help, users will be able to select the content they need, form a package and also manage sales parameters using the billing system, which features necessary statistical information and tools for managing the account.

We have developed an interface for Beeline's latest software package - a settings module for the company's new service.
This system, once installed on a user's computer, allows quick and accurate adjustment of all required settings.
After the module was successfully developed, our company was invited to conduct usability testing of the newly created system: we conducted dozens of tests and prepared an extensive analytical report.

This service represents a resource with which the users exchange files and batches (of files) without any volume limitations. The developers had conceived and designed a range of exciting and useful features but the way they appeared in the interface was questioned by both the users and the company managers.

Once again our company has participated in a large, international project for optimizing the corporate site of Fujitsu Siemens Computers. We conducted usability testing together with several groups of users of the resource, prepared an analytical report and offered a range of recommendations to the client.

Today only the laziest employers and potential employees avoid using specialized recruiting sites to search for vacancies and staff members. Such sites are present in abundance and most of them are overloaded with functions and are not particularly easy to use. Redesigning the interface of a large recruiting resource requires taking into account many factors, often mutually exclusive: on the one hand, we need to keep the solutions that users are accustomed to; on the other, simplify the existing mess of functions.

For Beeline, one of the largest Russian mobile operators, we participated in the creation of an SMS and voice interface for a product from a new line of offerings from the company. During the project, we carefully studied the requirements and standards of such interfaces, developed detailed solutions and conducted a range of usability tests with further adjustment of suggested ideas.

Retail financial services is an area where the speed and accuracy of operators and their decision-making is critical. Any mistake here leads to the loss of significant resources and a slow pace of work adversely affects efficiency.
For Bank Petrocommerce we developed an automated system for retail financial services, later named «Financial Supermarket».

Svyaznoy, the famous retail network selling mobile phones and offering mobile operator services, approached us to conduct a detailed audit of one of its key internet projects. In the course of work we studied trends, goals and requirements for this kind of system and, based on these data, we made an analysis of the current system and also provided a range of concrete solutions to increase the efficiency of the system under review.

The company Info-port went into the market with a concept — unique for Russia — for the centralized offering of a range of services in point-of-sale outlets. This service allows a customer to visit a POS (say a mobile phone selling outlet) and book an air ticket, pay a phone bill and also extend or refill an MTPL policy.

In this project we conducted express usability testing of a range of mechanisms within the best-selling package for accounting automation - 1S: Bukhgalteria 8.0. The work was conducted in order to define the quality of the system's services and to uncover any existing problems. As a result, we formulated and presented a detailed report with a summary on the project.

Even on your own computer, it is not always easy to properly setup and use an antivirus kit. How about an operator who needs to set it up correctly on tens, hundreds and sometimes thousands of computers?! To resolve this issue we devised a package for administering antivirus modules installed on corporate network computers.

Internet resources offering information on where and how you can spend your free time are extremely popular. With the help of such community services you can, for example, choose a restaurant, a concert or a party to drop in on. For this project we were tasked with redesigning the interface of one such resource.

We have conducted usability testing on the Russian site of one of the largest producers of computer equipment. The work was conducted in a specialized lab under the supervision of an expert from Syzygy AG (a company engaged in usability testing, ordered by Fujitsu Siemens Computers) who came over from Germany for the project.

For this project we have designed and tested an interface for the remote selection of real estate services for mobile phones via SMS. With the use of such a service the user can at any time choose a suitable apartment to rent, using a regular mobile phone.

The international foreign exchange market FOREX is likely the most democratic market possible. Anyone can be a trader here - you just need a computer hooked up to the Internet. Using a special program a trader can sell one currency and buy another, making money from the fluctuating exchange rates of the currencies.

The project management system for filmmakers from BAZELEVS Production — one of the largest producers of advertisements, videos and movies. This company was involved in the production of special effects for the renowned blockbuster Night Watch.
In this project we worked on the interface of the internal system of project management and resource planning on the final stage of making movies and videos: editing and post-production.

The goal of the project was to define the user interface qualities of the existing «client-bank» system, identify the interface bottlenecks and present methods for eliminating such difficulties. We conducted expert evaluation and usability testing of the internet module of «client-bank» and formulated and presented a report detailing the results.

The company KOMPOSIT uses its proprietary analysis model to evaluate the risk posed by terrorist attacks. The SATAP Rating Tool, the security and terrorism assessment program, was created specifically for collecting and analyzing data. We got involved in this project for the purpose of improving the usability of the system.

The reference system GARANT is one of those software products which have become fundamental in our country. The vast majority of lawyers and accountants use this system in their everyday work. Thousands and thousands of documents, comments and references — all this information needed to be conveniently organized and made easily available.

A client is able to monitor his account and manage services either from his «Personal Office» via the Internet, or using the voice interface directly over the telephone. Designing such a system is challenging because you need to account for the fact that the user is very cautious and exacting in dealing with it, since in most cases the transactions in the system are related to their personal funds.

We have completely redesigned the interface of the application, used by investors for setting limits and monitoring the activities of traders working with their accounts.

We were entrusted with the design of the user interface of the system of complex administration of the Unified Automated Information System of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation. We developed a general concept for the user interface and created detailed patterns for key, on-screen forms in the system. We also prepared a package of documentation for the developed interface.

We were tasked with optimizing the information structures and navigation of the system and also the standardization and simplification of the data-entry forms. The developed product was awarded the prestigious Microsoft Customer Experience Award in 2004, which says something about the great usability qualities of the product.

While working on this module we managed to put forward, successfully defend and introduce a completely original interface concept, which supported the business processes of Rosgosstrakh, while significantly improving its usability.

In this project we completely redesigned the product's interface. Now the system is used in more than 2000 offices of Rosgosstrakh all around Russia. According to the results of testing conducted, the performance of employees increased by 300% after the interface was reworked!

During the summer of 2003, Intel Corporation was conducting task matching and usability tеsting of new global and special marketing sites. The project was conducted simultaneously in many countries around the world. We joined Intel on this project as its Russian partner.