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Choice Hotels

Designing a Low-Code Insurance Application and Client Portal

Design System Creation

UX/UI Design

Develpment & QA Support

Background

This project was part of a collaboration between a UK insurance client and IMA, an American insurance company, to develop a low-code insurance application and client portal for Choice Hotels, a major hotel group in the US. The platform aimed to streamline insurance applications and provide an interface for monitoring and maintaining policies.

My Role

I worked as the UI/UX Designer, responsible for creating a design system and delivering high-fidelity UI designs. With the development team using OutSystems for a low-code approach, I utilized the OutSystems Figma UI Kit to build a design system that sped up the design process. My role involved working in 2-week sprint cycles, iterating on designs based on feedback, and collaborating closely with the development team to ensure the designs aligned with technical constraints.

Problem Statement

The project required a fast-paced design and development process due to the use of low-code technology. I needed to ensure the designs were not only visually consistent and user-friendly but also feasible within the constraints of OutSystems, while accommodating the specific needs of a detailed insurance application form and a client portal.

The Process

We followed an Agile approach, led by a scrum master, to prioritise features and maintain momentum through well-defined sprint cycles:

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  1. Design System Setup: I began by creating a design system using the OutSystems Figma UI Kit, which streamlined the design process and ensured consistency across the application. This system provided a solid foundation for all UI components used in the platform.

  2. Sprint Cycles & UI Design: Each sprint cycle started with planning and assigning design tasks. I designed the required user interfaces based on the business requirements provided by the analysts. After presenting the designs to business stakeholders, I iterated on the feedback, ensuring alignment with both the project goals and the technical feasibility of the low-code platform.

  3. Collaboration with Development: Regular communication with the development team was essential to navigate the constraints of the low-code platform. I ensured that the designs were feasible within the technical limitations and provided detailed development notes when handing off the final designs.

  4. Post-Development Reviews: Once the designs were handed over to the development team, I supported them by answering any design-related queries. I also conducted heuristic UI reviews after development to ensure alignment with the original designs, overall usability, and theme consistency.

The Value Add

  • Fast-Paced Design Process: The combination of using the OutSystems Figma UI Kit and the low-code platform allowed for rapid design and development, enabling us to meet tight deadlines while maintaining quality.

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  • Scalable Design System: The design system provided a framework for future updates, ensuring consistency and scalability across the platform as it evolves.

The Insights and Lessons Learned

  • Managing Low-Code Constraints: Designing within a low-code platform requires continuous collaboration with developers to ensure customisations are feasible within the set timelines. Understanding platform limitations early in the process was crucial to ensuring the designs aligned with development capabilities.

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  • Effective Collaboration in Agile: Regular touch points with business stakeholders and developers throughout the sprint cycles ensured that the project remained on track and aligned with overall business objectives.

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