Photonik is a platform and technology specifically focused on the development and implementation of solutions in the field of solar energy and renewable energy. By providing a variety of software tools, Photonik empowers professionals in the renewable energy industry to design, visualize, and accurately analyze solar energy systems. The platform also offers detailed estimates of costs, benefits, and system performance, tailored to the needs and specifications of users.

In the context of this project, my involvement stems from my relationship with Marty, a former colleague who is now the founder of the startup developing Photonik. My role is to contribute to the enhancement of the existing Photonik platform, aiming to improve the smoothness and efficiency of user processes. Collaborating with Marty, I work on refining the layout and workflow, addressing any deficiencies to make them more intuitive and easily understandable for users.

Several common issues or phenomena that prompted the redesign and UX improvement on the Photonik Platform include:

1. Usability Complexity:
   The complex and non-intuitive interface poses challenges for users in efficiently understanding and utilizing the platform’s features. This can hinder productivity and increase user frustration, potentially impeding platform adoption and usage.
2. Lack of User Engagement:
   Unclear value propositions lead to user disinterest and inconsistency in usage. Low user engagement can result in users not maximizing the potential of Photonik, diminishing its positive impact and harming user retention.
3. Information Ambiguity:
   Unclear information confuses users, making it difficult for them to comprehend available content and features. This ambiguity can reduce user trust in the platform and hinder their ability to make informed decisions.

As an initial step in addressing these challenges, I adopted an efficient User-Centered Design (UCD) approach by pinpointing crucial points requiring improvement. This process involved direct testing on the existing Photonik platform’s user interface. Through this testing, I could clearly identify critical points in need of enhancement, which subsequently became the primary focus in establishing improvement solutions.

The negative impact of these issues on the Photonik platform is highly significant. Usability complexity can lead to frustration, slow processes, and decrease user efficiency. Lack of user engagement hampers platform growth and adoption, while information ambiguity impedes user understanding of the benefits and potential offered by Photonik.

Therefore, through the redesign process, the primary objective is to enhance the usability of Photonik. This ensures that professionals in the renewable energy industry can easily design and analyze solar energy systems seamlessly. Through design improvements, Marty aims to provide a better user experience and accelerate the adoption of renewable technology in the energy industry.

In the Photonik redesign project, I embraced a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach, placing the user as the primary focus in design decision-making. Every design decision, whether in layout or functionality, was carefully considered to ensure clarity, efficiency, and user comfort. By applying the UCD approach, my main objective was to deliver an improved user experience, ensuring that Photonik is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functions optimally and intuitively for professionals in the renewable energy industry.

In the effort to enhance user experience and the usability of the Photonik platform, my initial steps involved redesigning the site map and user flow based on the Photonik User Journey and previous findings. Using the site map and user flow as guides, I crafted wireframes with carefully considered layouts, addressing the initial issues and challenges faced by professionals. With a clearer flow based on user habits and preferences, I ensured that all these new design elements could operate seamlessly, achieving the goals of this redesign process.

To ensure that the decisions made met expectations, I created several interface examples and conducted A/B testing involving real users and stakeholders. From this process, I gained valuable insights into the preferences of all parties and how they related to the redesign goals. After understanding these preferences, I proceeded to implement all framework solutions into a final high-fidelity interface design, ready to be applied to the Photonik platform.

Some of the successfully implemented solutions to facilitate solar professionals in designing, calculating, and optimizing systems are as follows:

1. Solar String Voltage Calculator:
   • Provides solar energy cost estimates in less than 1 minute.
   • Offers information on the optimal system size and recommends whether batteries are necessary.
2. Proposal Summary:
   • Enables the creation of solar proposals within minutes.
   • Generates beautiful, accurate, and easily readable proposals without requiring special training.
3. Simple Solar Design Interface:
   • Presents a simple and user-friendly solar design interface.
   • Allows system designers with varying levels of expertise to quickly and easily develop accurate solar proposals.
4. Panel Group Table:
   • Enables design optimization with intelligent solar analysis.
   • Provides a simple overview of each array part with unique insights, such as daily generation estimates and efficiency compared to ideal orientation at the location.
5. Solar Site Plans:
   • Allows the creation of solar site plans in seconds.
   • Simply draw strings and DC cable routes, then drag and drop icons to desired positions. Everything else is done automatically.
6. String Voltage Calculation:
   • Presents string voltage calculations to ensure accurate design performance.
   • Allows quick design matching based on the selected MPPT inverter voltage.
7. Easy System Costing:
   • Provides flexibility in system cost calculations with various options.
   • Easily adds margins and discounts or replaces the final price with output from third-party CRM.

With these various revamped solutions, I hope Photonik empowers solar professionals with powerful and user-friendly tools for efficient proposal creation, design analysis, and cost system calculations.

After implementing all frameworks and flows through wireframes, the next step is finalizing them into the ultimate interface design through the HiFi (High Fidelity) Design process. At this stage, I made enhancements by adding visual designs, illustrations, and iconography. The success of the created concepts will be well-reflected in this HiFi design.

Throughout this process, my focus was on translating wireframes into an interface that is not only easy to comprehend but also simple. I consistently emphasized a user-centric approach in every design decision, including the arrangement and utilization of each visual element. The outcome is expected to be an interface design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also effectively meets user needs.

After completing the design, the next step involves undergoing a comprehensive series of testing before handing it over to Marty. This process includes expert reviews, A/B testing, and design trials to ensure that the produced output meets top-notch standards.

Involving Marty, the owner of Photonik, in providing feedback and input regarding the design is a key step to guarantee quality and ensure that the design aligns with the desired standards for the new Photonik platform. Thus, directly engaging the platform owner in the evaluation process ensures that every aspect of the design meets expectations and goals set.

I conducted a comprehensive series of iterations, maintaining open communication and continuous collaboration with Marty. My focus was on ensuring that the design not only met technical expectations but also realized Marty’s vision and mission through this redesign process. Success was reflected when Marty provided positive feedback, stating, “Yeah, thank you, Muhammad, now I got it!” Afterward, there were no further feedback or changes proposed by him. This strongly indicates that the design successfully conveyed Marty’s intended message and met his expectations comprehensively.

After 6 months since the launch, Marty reported positive impacts resulting from the new design of the Photonik platform. The Photonik interface updates have not only enhanced the overall user experience but have been particularly beneficial for professionals in the industry. The simplified, user-friendly interface has successfully met user objectives, ranging from solar design tools to the string voltage calculator. All the updated features and tools have assisted professionals in achieving their goals more easily and efficiently.

Furthermore, this achievement aligns with Marty’s vision and mission, with a 13% increase in new user adoption and a 17% rise in engagement among users and investors. This confirms that the new design has significantly contributed to supporting the growth and success of Photonik.

I am delighted to have collaborated with Marty in realizing his startup vision. The success of this collaboration further motivates me to continue supporting people worldwide in enhancing their businesses through digital solutions. I am confident that the roles of technology and effective design can have a significant positive impact in helping companies and individuals achieve their goals. This serves as a driving force for my commitment to continue contributing to the delivery of innovative and beneficial solutions for a broader audience.