DeloitteNet Website

I was asked to come up with several concepts to address several problems with the design of the firm's intranet site, DeloitteNet.

The most frequently mentioned (and somewhat contradictory) complaints about the current design of DeloitteNet are that (1) the interface is too cluttered (2) things are hard to find (related to number 1) and (3) the users would like to have access to more functions in one place.

It seemed the only way to allow users to have everything in one place and avoid serving up a massive page of links was to allow for customization of the home page. The bare minimum would be a settings menu or page that allowed the user to turn certain sections or types of content on or off. A more ambitious and flexible design would allow for easy, on-the-fly customization as certain tasks were completed or begun.

Both designs assume the users' ability to permanently turn certain kinds of content on or off. Design 1 explores what an interface that allowed content modules to be docked would look like; design two depicts a UI consisting of collapsing and expanding content modules.

The other challenge was to find a way to tame a navigation structure that was in places seven-levels-deep. The designs explore whether some combination of tabbed interfaces, pop-up windows and user filtering could be used to flatten the site structure.

A. Existing DeloitteNet Home Page

The DeloitteNet home page as it existed in May 2012 didn't allow for a lot of user customization. The center column displayed news and features. The left and right columns featured long lists of links, an inefficient use of some very prime screen real estate.

B. Simplification of Website Hierarchy

Since one problem was the sheer depth and complexity of the website's structure, I put some time into coming up with ways to simplify it.

C. High-level Wireframe

Mobile and desktop wireframes for design 1.

D. Home Page for Proposed Design 1, Tablet View

Design 1 attempts to declutter the home page by allowing modules to be docked on the left edge of the screen. Some frequently used functionality (settings, search and favorite links) is housed in the rounded, green buttons, which are permanent fixtures on the left side of the page and sprout flyout menus. Content modules can be minimized, turning into the white tablike buttons which mimic the appearance of the modules themselves.

1. Settings.
2. Search.
3. Links.
4. Minimized applications.
5. Maximized application. Maximized applications are draggable and resizable.
6. Notifications.