Project overview
- Client work
- Agency: Electric Studio
- Year: 2023
- Duration: 2 Months
- My Role:
User Research, User Flows, Wire framing, UI/UX Design, Prototyping, User Testing
The Client
Animal Free Research UK is a charitable organisation that believes experiments on animals are scientifically and ethically unjustifiable, and that pioneering animal free research provides the best chance of finding treatments for human diseases.
Project Goals
Animal Free Research identified a lack of awareness for quality animal-origin antibodies alternatives in lab-grown (not derived from animals) antibodies. As a result, they wanted to build a platform that would aim to educate visitors about the significance of animal-free antibodies and provide easy navigation to manufacturer details, thereby serving as a crucial resource for researchers and customers interested in ethical and sustainable scientific solutions.
Designing the Solution
Working closely with the marketing team at Animal Free Research we explored a number of different design options, taking design cues from their existing brand literature and experimented with varying degrees of association with the parent brand versus the AFA Database’s own identity.
Design System
A vital component of the project was that there was a frictionless product management experience for prospective providers, not only to ensure the system was adopted early and without issue; but to keep the database updated with as minimal effort as possible.
We explored a few options from a technical standpoint, ultimately deciding that from a scope and budget standpoint the experience could not be automated; so the individual providers would be responsible for managing the products listed on the Database.
To this end we design a simple backend system that mirrors the public facing UI for consistency, with a progress tracker to guide a new user through the onboarding process and remind them where they left off if sign-up is not completed in one session.
Measuring our efforts
The design of the AFA database had two high-level requirements; to provide users easy access to discover animal-free antibodies & direct links to these products, while seeking to educate and inform the user of their benefits. To measure how successful we were in achieving these objectives, we set out the following KPIs:
By enhancing accessibility and including comprehensive education content, we seek to establish the AFA Database as the go-to resource for those seeking ethical antibody solutions. Site traffic, partner manufacturer referrals and positive user feedback would be the key drivers for measuring success of the platform. However, we recognise the importance of ongoing efforts to keep the database updated and to continually engage and educate our audience about the advancements and importance of animal-free scientific practices.
Reflections
The AFA Database’s potential impact in promoting ethical scientific practices is inspiring, fostering a shift towards humane research methods. I hope they continue updating the database and spreading awareness about animal-free science; they’re building not just a resource, but a community committed to ethical research. The potential for a more compassionate future in science is immense, and I am glad I was able to play my part in this transformative journey.