Cambridge University Press
Changing the world of academic publishing through digital modernisation
Client
Cambridge University Press
Industries
Education
Duration
8 weeks
Services
Competitor + Market Analysis User Research (Academic) Low-fi Wireframes / Prototyping User Testing High Fidelity Designs Design System
Screenshot of the Figma Prototype - Network Map
User Persona
User Persona
Initial Discovery
Full Immersion
We began by conducting stakeholder workshops with the Cambridge internal team to clarify specific project aims and objectives, and identify their target user base.
We created personas to quickly bring these different users to life and prioritise them based on their role, career stage, and research needs. This helped Cambridge to identify two primary user types; ‘Hands On Researchers’ and ‘Research Shapers’.
To complement this ‘internal view’, we carried out secondary research into the wider market for academic research tools, conducting a detailed competitor analysis of community collaboration platforms, looking beyond academia to draw inspiration from news & blogging platforms.
User Persona
User Research
Academic User Research
Cambridge needed to validate the concept idea with working academic researchers involved in writing and publishing their own research. We planned and conducted 25 hours of long form interviews with researchers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering & Medicine) to explore their experience of the current research and publication process and gauge the appetite for a research platform.
Outcomes analysed in 2 ways……
Performed a thematic analysis of the research findings, highlighting key issues and themes.
Created user journeys of the current research & publication process, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement.
Screenshot of the research findings report
UX Design
Mapping, Architecture & Prototyping
Designed the information architecture for the new platform, and how it fits into the wider Cambridge digital ecosystem.
Mapped user journeys showing the different ways users can flow through the platform.
Created an interactive prototype to bring the concept to life. The standout feature is a unique ‘network map’ concept, which breaks down the traditional article format into its constituent parts, visualising the story of research from conception to publication.
Numerous interactive wireframes
User Testing
Iterative User Testing
We planned and conducted two rounds of user testing of the platform with academic researchers, including regular cycles of iteration to refine the navigation, labels, copy and UI components.
Wireframe of the network map showing connected research (Axure)
UI Design
Pixel Perfect Designs
We incorporated user feedback to create high-fidelity page designs for desktop and mobile.
The designs were delivered in an atomic design system, providing Cambridge with the flexibility to manage the platform in-house, and making it easy to accommodate future changes.
Final UI design of the research & collaboration platform
