Empowering energy solutions through design.
At Axpo—Switzerland's leading energy company—I have played a pivotal role in enhancing customer experiences and streamlining internal processes. My work has involved designing and developing the customer portal, creating tailored internal tools for trading and sales, and participating in the discovery and ideation of new products. Additionally, I have contributed to the marketing of these tools, ensuring their successful adoption and integration within the company. Visit: axpo.com
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
UX/UI Design
In my work for Axpo, I have tackled complex interaction and system design challenges, creating a variety of deliverables such as high-fidelity UI, icons, and prototypes, along with product design & discovery documentation—both written and in video form. Collaborating with product managers, I have contributed to the overall product strategy and roadmap. My role has involved working closely with other designers to develop and expand design systems that seamlessly function across internal & customer-facing tools, ensuring the Axpo brand's quality remains consistent at every touchpoint. Additionally, I have played an active role in contributing to the culture of a small yet expanding design team, always striving to understand users' goals and tailoring our solutions to best support their needs.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Front-end Design
As an avid enthusiast of web technology, I have consistently kept abreast of the latest front-end tools and practices. This proficiency has enabled me to utilize my coding skills in crafting intricate prototypes for scenarios involving unconventional user experiences or to provide developers with a head start in implementing distinctive interactions. Sometimes a simple browser-based prototype can save hours of discussion between designers and developers.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Design System Development & Maintenance
In my work for Axpo, I have tackled complex interaction and system design challenges, creating a variety of deliverables such as high-fidelity UI, icons, and prototypes, along with product design & discovery documentation—both written and in video form. Collaborating with product managers, I have contributed to the overall product strategy and roadmap. My role has involved working closely with other designers to develop and expand design systems that seamlessly function across internal & customer-facing tools, ensuring the Axpo brand's quality remains consistent at every touchpoint. Additionally, I have played an active role in contributing to the culture of a small yet expanding design team, always striving to understand users' goals and tailoring our solutions to best support their needs.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Analysis
At Axpo, I have undertaken numerous projects that involved thorough research and analysis to pinpoint inefficiencies in prevailing processes and tools. By offering recommendations for enhancements or innovative features, I have aimed to address customer requirements more effectively, improve satisfaction, and ensure alignment with the company's strategic goals.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Customer Research
I have gathered insights into customer pain points and preferences by employing various research methods, which aided in uncovering opportunities for innovation and enhancing the overall user experience. These research techniques included conducting interviews with customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, facilitating whiteboard exercises to map out user flows and identify potential bottlenecks, organizing workshops to encourage collaborative brainstorming and ideation, and performing user testing to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions. This comprehensive approach to research has ensured that our design decisions were well-informed and geared towards meeting the needs of Axpo's customers and corporate strategy.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Management
For unique projects within Axpo, I have played the kind of role more typically reserved for project managers, coordinating cross-functional teams. My effective management of resources and timelines, along with presenting status updates to the executive board, have contributed to the projects' success. Additionally, I have authored internal blog entries to keep colleagues informed about our progress and share insights about the project.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
User Testing
Observing a first-time user interact with your prototype is an invaluable and enlightening experience for any designer. I have embraced an iterative approach to design refinement, capitalizing on user feedback and a combination of qualitative and quantitative usage data to fine-tune the designs. This meticulous process guarantees that both the customer portal and our internal tools were tailored to address user needs effectively, ultimately delivering an exceptional user experience.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Design Workshops
I have played an instrumental role in organizing, facilitating, and participating in design workshops to align business priorities with customer needs. These collaborative sessions foster a creative environment, sparking innovative ideas that ultimately contribute to enhancing the portal's effectiveness and delivering a superior user experience.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Marketing & Informational Videos
I have produced compelling marketing and informational videos that showcased the new features of our products, offering clear guidance to users while effectively highlighting the platform's benefits. These engaging visual aids not only serve to promote the portal but also enable users to fully understand the advantages of using the platform. Such videos have frequently been employed to generate excitement and foster internal adoption of new innovations.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
CSS Support for Developers
I have worked closely with developers to guarantee a seamless implementation of design elements, offering my expertise in CSS code support and guidance throughout the development process. This collaboration has ensured that the envisioned user experience and aesthetic qualities were accurately translated from design to the final product, fostering a consistent and visually appealing interface that meets the expectations of both our team and end-users.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Documentation
I have meticulously prepared detailed specifications and documentation for developers, facilitating a smooth implementation of design features and minimizing potential roadblocks. I have also taken careful notes of my research and learnings into the complexities of the energy market for my own future reference and for that of new members of the team. Additionally, I have conducted remote user testing sessions to collect valuable insights, which proved instrumental in optimizing the designs and ensuring that the final product met the needs and preferences of our users effectively.
The Outcome
The Axpo Customer Portal was met with positive feedback from both users and stakeholders, who appreciated the platform's streamlined interface and powerful tools for managing energy portfolios. The invoices module drastically reduced invoice processing, while the portfolio tool and deals module enabled customers to make more informed decisions about their energy contracts, leading to an increase in customer satisfaction and retention. Moreover, the comprehensive admin backend simplified internal processes, allowing the company to better serve its customers.
Can I help elevate your business with exceptional UX, product design, and marketing expertise? Get in touch to discuss your project.
Nick Niles
nick@nickniles.com
Contact Info
Location: Ojai, California, USA
Phone: +1 805 450 3774
Email: nick@nickniles.com
Twitter: @flavrcrystals
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nickniles
©2023 Nick Niles, Senior Product Designer