1 minute read
The Pistoia Alliance is a global, not-for-profit alliance of life science companies, vendors, publishers, and academic groups that work together to lower barriers to innovation in R&D. One of the projects that the Pistoia Alliance has launched is the User Experience for Life Sciences project (UXLS). This project aims to drive the adoption of UX within Life Sciences. The first initiative of the project is to develop a UX Life Sciences toolkit to provide guidance and resources for UX practitioners within the Life Sciences industry. As an active member of the UXLS project team I led the design of the UX Life Sciences toolkit website. This involved creating wireframes and a low fidelity prototype for the site, reviewing visual designs and working closely with the build team to deliver the envisaged design.
Creating a framework for the toolkit
Following a review of other UX toolkits out there I worked with the rest of the UXLS project team to create a sitemap and content structure for the UX Life Sciences toolkit website. It was important that the website could accommodate the content initially planned, and future content and resources.
Designing a future proof website
It was important that the design of the UX Life Sciences toolkit website not only introduced the toolkit, and UX in general, but allowed UX practitioners in the Life Sciences industry to easily access the information and resources they need. Using the sitemap and content structure as a basis I created wireframes and a low fidelity interactive prototype (using Axure) showing the site on both desktop and mobile. The prototype was reviewed with the wider UXLS project team and was utilised for an initial round of usability testing with users.
You can access the UX Life Sciences toolkit prototype online.
Delivering the design
Based on the insights from the usability testing I revised the design and reviewed changes with the wider UXLS project team. I then worked very closely with visual designers on the team to create the visual look and feel for the site and worked closely with the content and build teams to ensure that the envisaged design was delivered.
The results
The UX Life Sciences toolkit website has been extremely well received and is helping to drive UX across the Life Sciences industry. The design of the site has ensured that a solid framework is in place for the toolkit and has help to drive adoption and usage of the toolkit.