The Ask
Create a foundational component system that any future client on AEM can build on
AEM came with it’s own base system of components, but they were hard for average consumers to understand and use effectively. How could we make our clients understand and use those components simply?
Bounteous developers assembled components using a combination of Adobe tools and cutting edge accessibility and measurement best practices and they needed a way to market that to potential clients in a consumable way.
The Approach
Collaborate cross-departmentally to understand the system
Interviewed AEM developers to get a full picture of the AEM toolkit. Analyzed what was there to determine where the gaps and opportunities lay for new components.
New components were assembled based on common current client needs. Stress tested the components requested across UX & UI design team members to ensure usefulness.
Worked independently on translating the development needs for our design team, and collaborated with experience designers in translating the client facing content displays.
The Solution
Living style guides and component starter kits
For pitching to clients, delivered designs to be used on a Demo Site and Demo Living Style Guide. These tools were then used as a baseline for all net new projects to communicate what components were in the system and allowed the client to QA the project.
For internal work, Activate conceptually was challenging for designers to pick up. I worked with directors iteratively on confluence documentation and starter toolkits built in sketch and figma to enable rapid prototyping and enhancements.
The Outcomes
30+ known design client use cases & ongoing updates
Bounteous sold Activate to many clients across multiple industries including, but not limited to NFL, Princess Cruise Lines, Tenneco, and Change Healthcare. I consulted with client design teams to help get them up to speed with working within a design system within AEM.
On the smaller projects, I consulted with designers on ways to speed up development work flows. This included consolidating and helping them choose from 2 or more design options and what to think about to help them make the choice that would impact their users most.
On the bigger sold projects, I would use these components and stress test the system to see if more needed to be created. I was also available to senior leadership for consulting on hours needed.