Empowering utilities in the era of energy transition
Enhancing user experience and interface:
optimising interaction of energy companies
with our innovative technology

Redesigning the WebApp for direct customers
Inception of transformation
What initiated this journey?
Exnaton develops cutting - edge software solutions designed to prepare utility companies for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Our product empowers utilities to effortlessly retain their customer base while fostering the creation of innovative offerings that establish sustainable business models, ensuring their resilience in a rapidly evolving landscape.
In an age defined by the transformative energy sector transition, utility companies confront unique needs and distinct challenges that our Exnaton product is equipped to address.
Guided by a relentless commitment to continuous learning and an unwavering dedication to enhancing our solutions, we have embarked on a journey to revamp our product. This endeavour underscores our commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation and delivering excellence to our valued clients.
Our goals:
- simplify complicated energy, financial, and data tasks, making them easier to understand and use
- empower customers with increased independence to improve their operational efficiency
- offer a comprehensive overview that enhances the supervision and management of energy products
Challenges:
- create a scalable product that evolves in sync with expanding business needs amidst dynamic energy sector shifts
- present intricate energy and financial data in a coherent, user-friendly manner
- design the product as a white-label solution, harmonizing with customers' corporate identities while maintaining a unified overall appearance
The process I used

Research
Empathize
Define
Design
Test
- market and competitor analysis
- user interviews
- structure research findings
- create persona
- user flow
- sketches
- wireframes
(low fidelity prototype) - affinity map
- iterated wireframes
- brand style tile
- UI design (high fidelity prototype)
- usability testing
- iterated UI design
- UI Kit
Revealing the process

Market and competitor analysis
Our journey began with an immersive exploration of utility companies' experiences. This involved:
- engaging in user interviews
- identifying pain points tied to managing end users and data-rich processes
- discovering needs poised for innovative solutions
- crafting an engaging approach for utility companies to excel in the green energy landscape
Key revelations:
- utility companies sought a product that visualise customer energy performance and offered interactive features to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs
- the mission was clear: enrich the dashboard's interactivity, making it indispensable for daily operations; this evolution demanded a revamped structure and intuitive information architecture for simplified navigation
- a fresh user interface was imperative to align with these transformations
Empathy in action

Our central character, Stefan, a seasoned 54-year-old entrepreneur, encapsulated the challenges of utility companies' challenges. Stefan's journey, evolving alongside digital trends and macroeconomic shifts, emphasised the urgency of adaptation to seize new business prospects.

Persona
Defining with precision

As I started creating great user experiences, I had gathered lots of useful information from research, and there were many possibilities. The task was to turn all this information into a clear and intuitive design.
Drawing the first sketches of information architecture was a moment of artistic revelation. It was like capturing the essence of ideas in their purest form, bringing to life the aspirations of our users. Each line, each node, held the potential to simplify complex processes and lead users on a journey of discovery.
As the sketches transformed into structured frameworks, the true artistry began. Moulding the Information Architecture was where the magic happened. It was a task that transcended mere organisation. It was about sculpting an experience that felt instinctive, empowering users to find their way effortlessly.

Information Architecture
Design that captivates

Given time constraints, I delved directly into UI design, considering existing features. Utilizing Figma, I crafted a high-fidelity prototype facilitating energy community and member navigation. The revised data display structure triggered a series of changes, enabling logical data presentation and a refreshed information architecture. Merging observation functionalities with CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) ensured a seamless experience.

UI Design
Testing for excellence

We tested our design with our customers and found it to be quite promising. I made some improvements to the logical flow to make things clearer. I also worked on improving the breadcrumb navigation for a smoother user experience. While as a team we shifted my focus to the end-user products, we made sure that the basic elements were implemented for utility companies. And I came up with new features designed specifically for utility companies, which we planned to implement later on.
Key utility company functionality designs:
- electronic PDF invoice: revolutionizing invoice management
- rate plans for energy communities: empowering dynamic energy management
- PDF upload functionality: streamlining document integration
- user onboarding: an unprecedented feature directly on the customer's homepage.

Electronic pdf invoice

Rate plan

Uploading pdfs

Registration for an energy community
One of our notable achievements was the introduction of a registration process for joining energy communities. This feature was unique in the market and the design process involved several steps:
- crafting initial sketches to capture the concept's essence
- designing the user flow to map out the user journey
- creating wireframes to turn ideas into visual representations
- developing a high-fidelity prototype to bring the concept to life digitally, which was well-received by customers
This achievement not only advanced our product but also increased its value for utility companies.
Lesson learned
Creating a product that can adapt to changing markets highlighted the challenges of future-proofing. As the energy sector evolves, staying flexible and meeting emerging needs will require ongoing redesign efforts.
Our work with utility companies emphasised the importance of user-centred design. In the face of complexity and evolving landscapes, we demonstrated how utility companies can thrive in a dynamic energy world. This journey underscored the significance of empathy, intuitive design, and the constant pursuit of innovative transformation.
Throughout my journey as a UX Designer, I've explored uncharted territory and gained valuable insights that continue to shape my craft. Here are the key lessons I've learned:
- Sketching helps bring concepts to life and allows me to spot innovative ideas before they become fully developed designs.
- Crafting information architecture is both an art and a science. It involves carefully balancing hierarchy and engagement to create a user-friendly experience. Organising content isn't just about placement; it's about guiding users seamlessly through their journey.
- Embracing change is essential in design. Industries evolve, and technology changes, so adapting is crucial. The ability to evolve and iterate is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of a UX Designer.