HAL, the French institutional open archive, is a central repository for scholars to deposit research papers and data across academic fields. Committed to open science principles, HAL promotes free access, collaboration, copyright protection, and enhanced visibility for researchers, fostering a dynamic and accessible knowledge-sharing ecosystem.
HAL exhibits a complex digital ecosystem with access points through partner university portals and collections associated with distinct research projects.
Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash.
Embarking on the transformation journey of HAL Open Science Platform, the challenge was clear: to revamp the UI/UX for a more seamless and engaging scholarly platform.
HAL homepage before (left) and after (right) revamp.
In addressing HAL's challenge, my main achievements included leading comprehensive user research, conducting rapid usability tests of the existing, and redesigning the whole website with a focus on the upload form. The project resulted in a significant increase in document deposits and active accounts.
Engaging in user research workshops, including focus groups and interviews, provided invaluable insights into user needs and aspirations, shaping the subsequent phases of the project.
Executing a thorough UX audit and usability tests of the existing platform, specifically on the upload form, allowed for a deep dive into user interactions, uncovering pain points and informing targeted improvements.
To amplify submission numbers, my team and I restructured HAL's platform.
In our quest to simplify HAL's ecosystem, my team and I integrated HAL portals and collections seamlessly. This architectural overhaul aimed at providing users with a clearer and more navigable experience, reducing confusion and enhancing accessibility across various academic fields.
Overview of HAL new Information Architecture.
In the pre-revamp HAL platform, certain academic disciplines, like social sciences on HAL SHS, were accessed through separate portals, creating fragmentation in the user experience.
The architectural overhaul aimed at centralizing access by disciplines directly from the main HAL platform, fostering a cohesive and user-friendly environment. Now, users benefit from streamlined navigation, simplified access to specific academic fields, and an integrated experience across disciplines, enhancing their engagement and interaction with HAL.
I tackled the challenge of complex navigation by simplifying the header, providing users with clear functionality access points. Additionally, I strategically enhanced the visibility of the "Submit" link, ensuring users can effortlessly contribute their work, promoting a more straightforward and user-friendly experience.
HAL header before (left) and after (right) redesign.
The transformation of HAL's homepage marked a significant leap toward a more user-centric experience.
I contributed significantly to revamping HAL's visual identity. The redesign aimed to strengthen HAL's institutional character, providing users with a fresh and credible interface. The new look not only modernize the platform but also instil confidence in users, encouraging increased engagement.
The upload form underwent a strategic redesign to simplify the process, providing users with a more efficient and user-friendly interface for submitting academic papers and data.
Upload form before (left) and after (right) redesign.
The flow chart showcases the upload form process. While maintaining simplicity, the form incorporates progressive disclosure for added details, ensuring researchers accurately document their work.
To boost the visibility of researchers, I redesigned the online CV feature, offering a more attractive and functional showcase of their work, promoting collaboration, and increasing overall engagement.
The culmination of these efforts resulted in a final solution that not only significantly increased document deposits and active accounts but also provided valuable insights for future UI/UX endeavors. This project underscored the importance of user-centric design, iterative problem-solving, and collaborative innovation.
