1. Analysis: current limitations and needs

• Retractable menu → make it more dynamic for a more engaging and modern feel

• Rectractability not very discoverable → make it easier to discover

2. Benchmarking/UX Research

I reviewed many other solutions to broaden my perspective, spot UI/UX trends (put only icons in the retracted version, retract the entirety of the menu…), and establish parameters to take into account.

3. Parameters identified

• What is present when the menu is not retracted?

• When retracted : entirely retracted, or do we leave the icons?

• How will the menus deploy? The submenus? How many levels?

• Which deployment effects to implement

Additional concerns

• Technical constraints

• Consistency with other Divalto products

• Accessibility

4. Mockup iterations/Focus groups/AB Testing

Main difficulty: satisfy the right stakeholders while not making too many sacrifices in terms of usability and aesthetics. I did several focus groups with various employees and departments, presented them all the options, and there were lots of divergences in the preferences. I had to focus on the right priorities to make relevant choices.

5. Final version

A final version was chosen, pictured above.