I am currently the Lead Product Designer at IMS. IMS offers an Investor Management platform designed for Commercial Real Estate owners. We take Commercial Real Estate Investors from living in an Excel spreadsheet to utilizing an all-in-one application designed to keep track of CRM projects throughout their full life-cycle.
THE APPROACH
When I started at IMS in February of 2016, the IMS team developed product features before they had an actual design (if they had one). After I joined the team, I was able to help implement a new streamlined process, by changing the order of the design team’s process: we now design, prototype, and conduct usability tests before beginning the development process.
When a new feature idea comes our way, we start the process by determining the problem the feature is solving. We do this by gathering the necessary data and feedback from our users to get a better understanding of the problem(s) they are experiencing and their expectations. Based on this data collection, we are equipped with the information needed to start creating user flows, like the example below. We also work side-by-side with the development team to keep them involved and to make sure the data model & back-end supports the flow.
Once we have decided on the user flow, we start sketching. Depending on the feature, we create quick hand sketches or simple wireframes to review with the development team and product owners. We then create high fidelity prototypes using Sketch and Invision. We use these prototypes to conduct usability tests with our users. We use the qualitative data we gather to validate and/or adjust our designs as needed.
The App
IMS is still a work in progress and we are always looking for new innovative solutions to improve the IMS experience, which is what we strive to do with every release. Below you can see some examples of our app as it is today.
Conclusion
We are always seeking to improve not only the user experience but the visual appeal as well. Below you can see a sneak peek at a possibility for the future.
With the start of our new CEO, a new tradition was started this year in which a different employee will receive the ‘Iron Pail Award’ for performance and dedication. I was fortunate enough to be the 2nd employee to receive the ‘Iron Pail Award’.
I designed and painted a mural for the entrance wall of our office in Ballantyne. The purpose of the mural was to paint a mountain where we could have goal markers along its edge that lead up to our year's end MRR goal.
Website design and content © 2017 Kat Perez
