Perfecting the Platform

Elosity is a research-driven product designed specifically to address the needs of pharmaceutical and clinical research organizations. Over three and a half years, I collaborated with a team of product strategists, managers, researchers, and developers to bring Elosity from concept to launch. My contributions included shaping the strategic vision, defining the product roadmap, and designing the user experience and its underlying design system.

This project aimed to modernize how pharmaceutical studies are conducted. Before this, clinical trials relied heavily on manual processes, like paper-based data collection, which were prone to errors. Our work was part of a larger shift, starting around 2009 with the introduction of enterprise software for pharmaceutical research, and accelerating by 2020. This transformation, fueled by advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital tools, addressed the growing need for efficient and reliable clinical trials.

During our research for the clinical trial platform, we identified a diverse range of users, each with unique needs and challenges. These personas included: Investigators, who needed efficient tools for data collection and patient management; Patients, who required clear communication and easy access to trial information; Suppliers, who managed the logistics of trial materials; Sponsors, who oversaw the overall progress and compliance of the trial; Managers, who coordinated resources and workflows; and Designers, who ensured the platform was user-friendly and accessible, and met the requirements of the protocols. Uncovering the specific needs of each persona was crucial for building a platform that truly served everyone involved in the clinical trial process.

Design by Accretion

Using evaluative AI through Figma’s platform, I collated all feedback from 3 primary data collection efforts. From Product-Market fit questionnaires, first-hand research interviews, and from backlog feature request: I drew insights and product direction based on some of the summative and evaluation that AI provided, only as an informer on our codification of the data. After iterating with key stakeholders for three cycles, we developed a shared vision of the problem we were solving and the design to address that problem.

Our high level goals were to:

1. Make it fast and easy to use for everyone, everywhere.

2. Give users more control over their time and money.

3. Create a platform for innovation and deeper engagement.

One of the most significant design challenges was handling blinded information. In clinical trials, accidental disclosure of this data can invalidate the entire study, leading to costly restarts. Our research, including contextual inquiries with clinical trial managers, revealed a need for a clear, unobtrusive way to protect this information. We developed a solution that used a 'key' UI element to obfuscate sensitive data. Working closely with the development team, we implemented this using a lightweight Unicode key, effectively securing blinded information without hindering usability.

We designed a patient experience that prioritizes convenience and accessibility for at-home clinical studies. This included enabling remote doctor access, allowing patients to participate in trials from the comfort of their own homes. We focused on streamlining the process, providing clear instructions, and ensuring seamless communication with healthcare providers. This approach aims to reduce the burden on patients, improve participation rates, and expand access to clinical research for individuals in remote or underserved areas.

We meticulously documented screen specifications and designs for every stage of the versioning process. This included detailed layouts and interactions tailored to the specific needs of each user role involved, illustrating how they would accomplish their respective 'Jobs To Be Done' within the system.

The brand identity, marketing collateral, and go-to-market (GTM) strategy were strategically developed through a coordinated effort between an external agency and our internal marketing team. This included comprehensive market analysis, audience segmentation, and the creation of targeted messaging and materials to support a successful product launch.