ADP Design System User Research

Project Overview

In this project, I directed and guided the user research and structural improvements for our company's updated design system files — culminating in a more efficient, intuitive, and scalable Figma Kit. Collaborating with a teammate, I led the research efforts, ensuring that the final product aligned with user needs, streamlined workflows, and supported faster prototyping for product designers.

Challenge and Goal

Our existing design system file was outdated, fragmented, and inefficient. Rather than wrangling the old structure into a new style, we conceptualized an entirely new file that facilitated faster, clearer design work. The primary goals were to:

Clarify component structure and organization.
Enhance usability for both seasoned and new designers.
Centralize documentation to maintain one source of truth.
Cultivate a more intuitive, discoverable design system.

Research Strategy

I designed and developed a multi-phase research approach to assess the needs of our users and guide the structural updates.

Phase 1: Survey Development & Data Collection

Designed a comprehensive Microsoft Forms survey targeting both experienced and new design system users.
Clarified goals with broad, sentiment-based questions, followed by detailed, long-form feedback sections.
Collected feedback on:
- File structure shifts (e.g., from independent pages to a sticker sheet layout).
- Introduction of a tearsheet showcasing component variations and common uses.
- Removal of in-file documentation in favor of a centralized documentation site.

✅ Key Insight: The new kit improved prototyping speed by 60%, with 80% positive feedback on the redesign.

Phase 2: In-Depth Interviews

Facilitated 1:1 interviews with users who found pain points (the remaining 20%).
Mentored participants through discussions, recording detailed notes for further analysis.
Cultivated a deeper understanding of recurring challenges, clarifying opportunities for iteration.

✅ Key Outcome: Uncovered critical usability hurdles and gathered actionable insights for the component design team.

Phase 3: Card Sorting and Information Architecture

Directed a card sorting exercise using Miro, helping designers conceptualize intuitive component categories.
Guided participants to create categories based on how they would naturally group components.
Developed an Excel-based data visualization for clearer, quantitative analysis.

✅ Key Insight: Defined component groupings improved discoverability for both designers and developers.

Outcomes & Impact

The research and iterative design process cultivated a design system that was faster, more intuitive, and easier to maintain.

Key Deliverables:

Refined Information Architecture: Clear, categorized component structure for faster discovery.
Enhanced Learning Resources: Integrated video tutorials and in-component embeds for complex components.
Componentized Tearsheets: Ready-to-use example components, reducing onboarding friction.

Leadership Contributions:

Directed cross-functional user research.
Facilitated stakeholder interviews and team-wide insights sessions.
Mentored teammates through data analysis and synthesis.
Presented findings to a 900+ attendee company-wide meeting.

Reflection

This project wasn’t just about creating a more efficient design kit — it was about cultivating a design system that facilitated faster prototyping, clarified component use, and coached designers toward greater efficiency. By focusing on usability and information architecture, the final design system now supports smoother workflows for both seasoned and new team members.

This project assessed, designed, developed, and conceptualized a better design experience — and I’m proud to have guided that transformation.

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