WAT Researcher

As the sole UX Designer and Engineer, my role expanded to cover key strategic and technical responsibilities.

• Proposed the Pivot to Desktop: When it became clear the web-first approach wasn't viable, I researched and presented the case for switching to a desktop application, solving a core business and technical problem.

• Designed the New Architecture: I designed the complete user experience and technical architecture for the desktop app. This included a new project-based workflow that was a major improvement over the original web concept.

• Built the Full-Stack Application: I developed the entire application, handling the Angular frontend, the Django/Python backend, and packaging it for both macOS and Windows with Electron and PyInstaller.

• Delivered the Original Web App: I also built the initial 3-page web interface. After we shifted focus, we repurposed it as a complementary tool for quick, simple analyses.

• Mentored the Team: I am currently leading junior team members, guiding them in creating user documentation and running our QA testing plan.

• Initial Web App Delivery: I initially designed and built the first version of the web interface, which met our initial milestone at LEI and served as a proof of my front-end skills.

• Identifying the Core Problem: During backend integration, I flagged the high server costs, queuing complications, and technical hurdles we would face, which started the discussion about finding a better way forward.

• Proposing the Desktop Solution: I developed a proof-of-concept for a desktop app to show it could handle more complex features (like project management and local files) and solve the scalability issue.

• Designing a Better Experience: Once the new direction was approved, I designed a more complete user experience based on a researcher's actual workflow, adding features for project creation, managing large sets of documents, and a local task queue.

• Building and Delivering: I handled the entire desktop development process, including the challenge of cross-platform packaging with Electron and PyInstaller to create installers for macOS and Windows.

The Solution: A Desktop and Web App

The final result is a solution with two parts, each for a different type of user:

• WAT Researcher (Desktop): The main application for in-depth research. It's a powerful tool that lets users manage projects, handle large amounts of data, and run complex analyses on their own computer.

• WAT Researcher (Web): A simple, lightweight version for quick analysis of a single text or small document set. It offers easy access to the core features with no installation needed.

This project is scheduled to launch and replace an essential tool for a large academic community.

• Strategic Impact: Changing from a costly web architecture solved a major business challenge and will save the institute significantly on server and maintenance costs.

• Organizational Impact: I built the institute's first-ever pipeline for developing and distributing a desktop application, a completely new capability for the organization.

• Product Impact: We delivered a product that is more powerful and versatile than originally planned, better meeting the needs of both casual and advanced users.

• Career Impact: This project was a key step for me into a role with more strategic leadership and mentorship, proving I can guide a technical product from concept to launch.

Tech & Methods

• Frontend: Angular, HTML5, CSS3
• Backend: Django, Python, SQLite
• Desktop: Electron, PyInstaller, Shell Scripting
• Design: Figma, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Flow Mapping
• Process: Agile Development, Stakeholder Management, Technical Strategy

This project shows my ability to lead a complex, multi-platform product from concept to launch, combining the strategic thinking and technical skill required for senior UX Designer or UX Engineer roles.