Redesigning the Atlas Author App: Insights from Usability Testing
How can we design an app that truly supports user workflows while minimizing friction? This was the challenge our team tackled during the first usability testing round of the Atlas Author App redesign. By gathering feedback from the Digital Content team, we identified pain points, tested navigation concepts, and uncovered opportunities for improvement.
Let’s dive into the key takeaways and recommendations.
What We Tested
The goal of this testing round was to evaluate a mid-fidelity prototype of the Atlas Author App's redesigned navigation system. We wanted to ensure the app’s intuitiveness and effectiveness in supporting user workflows while maintaining familiarity for current users.
The prototype included:
A new navigation bar
A property search feature
Initial designs for an app switcher
Participants:
8 Digital Content team members—both seasoned users and newcomers to the Atlas Author app.
Key Findings
1. Navigation Basics
What worked: Users recognized familiar elements like navigation bars and the Hyatt logo for returning to the homepage.
What didn’t: Some participants found the introduction of new navigation components (e.g., the app switcher) confusing, highlighting the need for better contextual education.
2. Search Experience
The biggest usability hiccup stemmed from an extra step in the search process. Instead of navigating directly to the desired property page, users were taken to a search results page, leading to confusion and frustration.
Participant Suggestions:
Make search results more actionable by allowing the entire row to be clickable.
Improve the visibility and functionality of the search bar across the app.
3. Feature Requests
Participants proposed several enhancements to improve workflows, including:
Mass update capabilities for bulk changes.
Contextual help tips for new users.
The ability to define limited services and hours.
Standardizing accessibility features for rooms.
Design Recommendations
Immediate Priorities
Streamline Search: Eliminate unnecessary steps and ensure the search function feels intuitive.
Reduce Clicks: Make UI elements, such as table rows, fully clickable to simplify interactions.
Add Navigation Tools: Introduce breadcrumbs, back buttons, and a "home" icon for smoother navigation.
Future Explorations
Dark Mode: Address user comfort with a dark mode option.
Accessibility Features: Standardize room dimensions and expand accessibility descriptions.
Improved App Switcher: Provide in-context help to educate users on new navigation components.
Lessons Learned
Through this testing round, we validated the importance of seamless navigation and intuitive search functions. It also became clear that while users value consistency with the current app, they are open to changes that demonstrably improve workflows.
Next Steps
We’re excited to refine the Atlas Author App based on this feedback. In the coming weeks, we’ll focus on:
Redesigning the search functionality to reduce friction.
Implementing key recommendations for navigation improvements.
Preparing for the next round of usability testing to validate these changes.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue building an app that empowers users to work smarter, not harder.
