In this project, I played a pivotal role as a product designer, contributing to the development of a comprehensive and user-friendly Content Management System (CMS) for digital signage. The platform was designed to cater to a diverse user base, from non-technical individuals managing localized content to professional designers handling complex, global campaigns.

The CMS integrates functionality from multiple products acquired over five years, blending legacy features with modern design patterns to create a cohesive and forward-thinking platform.

This case study explores how I collaborated with cross-functional teams to merge multiple legacy systems, optimize usability, and deliver a unified platform that meets the needs of both technical and non-technical users. The resulting CMS is a powerful tool that balances flexibility, scalability, and ease of use.

Modernizing Legacy Systems: Designing for the Future

Functionality and Aesthetics
Transforming legacy platforms into modern, user-centric solutions requires collaboration, strategy, and iteration. I work closely with cross-functional teams to align user needs with business goals, designing for both functionality and aesthetics while ensuring technical feasibility. By replacing costly legacy systems with modern solutions, I help businesses save money and prepare for the future. Using iterative mock-ups and stakeholder input, I refine features, balance branding with usability, and deliver seamless experiences that meet both immediate and long-term objectives.

Complex Scheduling

Streamlining for Flexibility and Versatility
Designing intuitive scheduling solutions means understanding that users want ease and flexibility without micromanaging every moment. I created a system that simplifies setup while allowing for nuanced exceptions between days and weeks. The design prioritizes flexibility and versatility, enabling users to seamlessly mix their own content with third-party advertising while maintaining control over what’s displayed and when.

To enhance usability, the system includes features like reusable schedules for efficiency, a proof-of-play preview for transparency, and easy integration of various content types. Whether managing entire playlists or one-off events, the scheduling tool is designed to support seamless interoperability and streamline workflows, empowering users to focus on impactful content rather than tedious logistics.

Complex Playlists

Designing Flexible and Intuitive Playlist Management

Creating a playlist tool that balances simplicity and flexibility required addressing diverse user needs and complex scheduling demands. Some users wanted straightforward “go-to-next-item” functionality, while others needed the ability to mix media with dynamic scheduling patterns, such as splicing advertisements into regular content seamlessly. The challenge was crafting a solution that offered unlimited flexibility while remaining intuitive for all users.

The design allows users to easily set parameters, such as allocating specific durations (e.g., 10 minutes of advertising per hour), without needing to micromanage each playlist item. By incorporating features to handle varied content and ad lengths, the tool dynamically adjusts to ensure smooth playback while meeting scheduling goals. This approach simplifies playlist creation for all user types, empowering them to focus on delivering engaging, balanced content rather than wrestling with logistics.

Custom layouts for multi-display or split-screen use

Empowering Users with Flexible  Layouts

Meeting the diverse needs of users with varying requirements for aspect ratios, resolutions, and screen configurations demanded a highly adaptable design approach.

Whether working with single or multi-screen displays, split-screen layouts, or portrait and landscape orientations, the solution needed to provide unparalleled flexibility while remaining user-friendly.

We introduced the concept of zones, allowing users to divide and arrange layouts in ways that best fit their unique needs.Each zone supports its own playlist, enabling users to display tailored content across different sections of their screens. Additionally, the system accommodates dynamic scheduling, allowing users to switch between layouts based on the time of day—such as showcasing one design during business hours and another after closing. This approach ensures maximum versatility, empowering users to deliver compelling content that aligns seamlessly with their operational goals and aesthetic preferences.

Smart Tagging and Custom Formulas

Enabling Ultimate Flexibility

Users often face complex requirements, such as varying prices across regions, displaying menus in different languages, or tailoring content to specific locations.

To address these challenges, we designed a smart tagging system that empowers users to create and apply custom formulas. This system enables them to find, filter, and serve content with precision and ease. The tagging and formula approach provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing users to define rules based on their unique needs, whether it’s regional pricing, localized language settings, or diverse menu configurations.

By combining advanced functionality with an intuitive interface, this solution offers a powerful yet user-friendly way to manage dynamic and varied content across a broad range of scenarios.

Modernizing the User Interface

Enhanced Usability and Appeal

With the core functionality 90% complete, the next challenge was to update the UI to align with modern design standards. The existing interface, created five years ago, lacked the responsiveness and visual sophistication users now expect.

My role was to reimagine the design to make it more aesthetically pleasing and intuitive, ensuring it seamlessly complemented the powerful functionality already in place.The redesign focused on improving responsiveness for various devices, refining the visual hierarchy, and incorporating contemporary UI patterns to enhance usability.

To validate the updates and ensure the design met user needs, I integrated analytics to track user interactions and conducted user testing sessions to gather feedback. These insights not only guided the initial improvements but also provided a foundation for ongoing iteration. By continuously refining and enhancing the design, the goal is to adapt to user needs and evolving trends, keeping the platform both relevant and impactful.