BLUE STAR — Industrial Systems
Simplifying legacy manufacturing software workflows strictly within rigid technical constraints.
CONTEXT
Industrial Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) X-Ray software used by floor operators in manufacturing environments.
Existing system:
• Complex desktop workflows
• Legacy technology stack (Visual C++)
• High operator error risk
I led the UX redesign within strict technical constraints.
DISCOVERY & INSIGHTS
Conducted on-site interviews with:
• Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
• Floor operators
• Technical leads
Observed real workflow sequences and bottlenecks.
REFRAMING THE PROBLEM
Initial expectation:
Update the visual interface to look modern.
Post discovery reframing:
The challenge was not aesthetic modernisation. It was operational simplification within legacy constraints.
PRODUCT STRATEGY
Focused on pragmatic, system-aware decisions:
• Workflow reduction
• Role-based clarity
• Error-state visibility
• Minimal interaction steps
• Compatibility with existing libraries
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Information architecture was directly mapped to operator workflows rather than technical sub-systems.
The UI reduced multi-screen dialogs into consolidated operational states, prioritizing large tap-targets and high-contrast error visibility suitable for manufacturing floors.
SYSTEMS & IMPLEMENTATION
Worked within rigid implementation constraints:
• Visual C++ stack
• Predefined technical UI libraries
• Strict performance and real-time processing constraints
Design decisions were heavily restricted but highly impactful.
LEADERSHIP & COLLABORATION
Led workshops reconciling advanced UX proposals against legacy engineering limitations. Guided stakeholders toward a pragmatic MVP that actually shipped rather than a theoretical modernization that engineers couldn't build.
OUTCOMES
• ~25% operator efficiency improvement
• Reduced workflow friction
• Improved error visibility
• Higher usability across distinct user roles
REFLECTION
Enterprise design requires humility.
Constraints are not obstacles. They are design boundaries.