Myenergi designs, manufactures, and sells devices that enable the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power for powering homes. Their product lineup includes energy storage devices, energy usage controllers, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The myenergi myaccount web portal allows users who have purchased these products, particularly the Zappi EV charger, to manage, monitor, and maintain their devices.
Imagine navigating through a maze with outdated maps and unclear signage. The current Charging Sessions page felt much like this for users. It was visually inconsistent, outdated, and not optimised for mobile use. Given the premium quality and price of myenergi’s devices, users expected an equally premium and seamless digital experience. The challenge was to transform this clunky interface into a sleek, intuitive, and feature-rich portal that met user needs and expectations.
To tackle this challenge, I focused on several key design principles and concepts:
Simplification:
Simplifying the design was crucial, given the complexity of the data users needed to navigate. I employed the Aesthetic-Usability Effect to create a visually appealing interface that also enhanced usability.
User-Centric Features:
New features included toggling charging sessions between Personal and Business use, based on feedback from the research phase indicating a need for this differentiation. Additionally, we added the ability to export data and view a column showing the amount of green energy used for each session.
Mobile Optimisation:
Ensuring the design was mobile-friendly was essential, as more users were accessing their charging data on mobile devices. This involved creating a responsive layout that retained functionality and ease of use across different screen sizes.
The redesigned Charging Sessions page significantly improved the user experience:
Increased Satisfaction:
User satisfaction ratings increased by 25%, a figure expected to rise as more features and improvements were rolled out.
Enhanced Usability:
Users could now access and manage their charging data more easily, especially on their mobile devices.
Positive Feedback:
The business and development teams were thrilled with the new design, praising its ease of implementation and the positive reception from users.
Reflecting on this project, I recognise the challenges posed by joining midway and working with pre-existing research and decisions. Immersing myself in the research and shadowing experienced designers helped me overcome these obstacles. If I were to approach this project again, I would prioritise more user testing, even informally with staff, to ensure the design effectively addressed user needs and solved their problems.
The project was a success, demonstrating the importance of a user-centred approach and thoughtful design principles. Moving forward, continual refinement based on user feedback will ensure the myenergi myaccount portal remains a valuable tool for users managing their renewable energy devices