Ready Training Online (8/2024 - 2/2025)
Situation
As a UX Designer (freelance), I was a key member of a very experienced Product Design team at Ready Training Online (RTO), a leading SaaS provider specializing in Learning Management Systems for the service industry.
Our mission was to completely reimagine the user experience of RTO’s trainingGrid application, directly affecting 80% of its user base—approximately 800,000 users. This transformation included streamlining workflows, introducing a modern and visually appealing interface, and enhancing usability to engage the predominantly Gen Z audience in their continuous learning journey.
Users
Service Industry “Learners”
The target users of the trainingGrid training dashboard are primarily frontline staff, such as cashiers, servers, cooks, or housekeeping staff, who use trainingGrid to complete compliance and skills-based training relevant to their roles.
Managers and Supervisors:
The target users of the trainingGrid HUBS administration dashboard are store managers, shift supervisors, and department heads who oversee employee training progress, assign training modules, and ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
Tools Used
I primarily used Figma for design and prototyping. I also used FigJam for design thinking and brainstorming exercises, Adobe for AI image creation and UXTweak for surveys and usability testing of concepts.
Task
My Role
As one of three Product Designers on the team, my responsibilities included designing user for key features, contributing substantially to the design system and component library, creating prototypes, and collaborating with the team to brainstorm new concepts. I also contributed to user studies and usability testing.
Action
Key Features: (Design + Prototype)
myGrid: Employee training dashboard to make it easy for users to find and complete their training.
- Thumbnail Customization: Administrator interface to allow companies to customize the view of the dashboard.
- Gamification/Achievements: concept with badges and certifications to recognize effort and increase learner motivation/engagement.
- Creation of many of the trainingGrid Design System components.
Design System
Designed a comprehensive set of Figma components for the design system, ensuring a consistent, accessible, and user-friendly interface across the application.
Key components included the application header, left navigation panel, training dashboard (card view), long card view, and course exam questions.
These components streamlined the design process, enabling the team to build screens more efficiently and maintain a unified visual language.
Prototype
Played a significant role in developing a prototype to showcase the new design system and dashboard functionality, effectively communicating the improvements to stakeholders.
Current Employee Dashboard
New Dashboard
Result
Outcome
Improved Usability: A more intuitive and visually clear interface, making it easier for employees to navigate and complete their training.
Design System Growth: A scalable and functional design system that streamlined the process for designers and ensured consistency across the platform.
Stakeholder Satisfaction: A polished prototype that effectively conveyed the design’s potential and secured buy-in from key stakeholders.
At the National Assn. of Convenience Stores (NACS), received high praise for the new intuitive design and aesthetic.
- Customer Advisory Group has stated that trainingGrid will be much more competitive in the marketplace.
- Usability testing is about to begin where we get user satisfaction ratings. Stay tuned!
Reflection
Working on this important project has been a significant step in my design journey. It helped me better understand the complete product design process, from creating exceptional user experiences to supporting designers with efficient design systems. This experience has motivated me to keep learning and growing as a Product Designer. I am excited to continue working toward becoming a well-rounded, full-stack designer.