We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Livia Stevenin about their original and creative Suite Software Platform design work. Livia Stevenin is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original suite software platform works.
Livia Stevenin ("LS") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Viva Cyte Suite Software Platform. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
LS : We aimed to create a design that was efficient and capable of supporting complex workflows without disrupting the users' existing processes. The design needed to be intuitive, enhancing their work by leveraging opportunities and improving the overall effort required for each task. Visually, it had to be as simple as possible, given the amount of information it needed to convey and its inherent complexity. Above all, the design needed to be user-friendly, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for the users.
LS : The main focus was efficiency and users' needs. The users were accustomed to their existing methods and tools, so introducing new software was a challenge and initially met with some skepticism, especially given the sensitive nature of the sector and the materials involved. However, we developed the design in close collaboration with the users, paying careful attention to the details that mattered most to them. By ensuring that their feedback was heard and reflected in the software, we were able to create a sense of partnership, allowing them to feel as though we were building the solution together to enhance their workflow and improve their work.
LS : The design is already being used by the client, and we plan to continue refining it and adding new features as new needs arise.
LS : The first version of the design took 3 to 4 months to complete, while the version presented here is a more evolved iteration, which took approximately one year to design and develop.
LS : The design was commissioned by Cellply, a company focused on advancing immune system research and accelerating the development of cell therapies. Their goal was to provide innovative tools for single-cell analysis that would streamline discovery processes, improve data accuracy, and ultimately enhance therapeutic outcomes.
LS : The design was developed and is currently being used by the client who commissioned it.
LS : At Buildo, we specialize in developing complex medtech software, which is precisely the type of project we are passionate about and highly skilled in delivering. Our deep expertise in this field allows us to navigate the unique challenges of medical technology, ensuring that our solutions are both innovative and compliant with industry standards.
LS : The design was created in collaboration with my fellow designers at the company: Sara Bianchini and Agnese Ragucci.
LS : As part of a software suite, each application targeted a different audience. One was explicitly designed for Cellply’s employed researchers, who work on developing new experimental workflows executable with Vivacyte. The other two applications were intended for Cellply’s customers, who are biologist researchers focused on cell therapy.
LS : The design prioritizes functionality and seamless integration into the users' existing workflows, ensuring that it aligns with their established processes. By incorporating their color-coding system and striving to replicate the mechanisms of their machines, we aimed to make the software feel familiar and intuitive, minimizing disruption and enhancing efficiency. The design's success lies in the attention to detail and our deep understanding of the domain, which allowed us to tailor the solution to the users' unique needs. This thorough comprehension of both the technical and operational aspects sets the design apart, making it not just a tool but a natural extension of the users' day-to-day tasks.
LS : We primarily used Miro for ideation and co-design sessions with the client, Condens for managing user research, UXPin for creating wireframes, and Figma for developing high-fidelity designs.
LS : In addition to the internal design team at Buildo, particularly Sara Bianchini and Agnese Ragucci, we collaborated closely with the client’s research and technical teams. The research team helped us deepen our understanding of the domain, while the technical team provided valuable insights into how their machines operated and how the software would integrate. This collaboration enabled us to identify the limitations, opportunities, and key priorities for the software.
LS : The software needed to be seamlessly integrated into their machines, which performed a specific set of tasks and functions. As a result, the design was tailored to align closely with these tasks and the machine processes, ensuring that the software complemented and enhanced the existing workflow
LS : We conducted a comprehensive and in-depth research phase, beginning with the discovery phase, to thoroughly understand the AS-IS situation. This involved defining the target users, conducting user interviews, performing shadowing sessions, and co-designing the User Journey Mapping. In the TO-BE phase, we focused on defining user stories based on the functionalities identified during the research, considering the user’s perspective. These user stories were then prioritized in collaboration with the client, allowing us to refine the scope by selecting the most valuable user stories and grouping them into high-level features. This process was crucial in ensuring that we created a product that truly addresses user pain points while also meeting CellPly’s strategic priorities.
LS : The complexity of the domain was undoubtedly one of the key challenges we faced. This sector involved intricate processes, specialized knowledge, and technical constraints that required us not only to understand the users’ needs but also to adapt our design to align with the specific workflows and systems they already had in place. Navigating these complexities demanded meticulous attention to detail and close collaboration with subject matter experts to ensure the design was both functional and user-friendly despite the sophisticated nature of the tasks involved. Additionally, the user journey extended beyond just the use of the software—it also involved physical interactions with instruments and other devices within the laboratory. Therefore, we had to carefully consider these multi-step interactions in our design to create a seamless experience that integrates both digital and physical workflows. Overcoming this challenge required a delicate balance between simplifying the user experience and respecting the intricate requirements of the domain.
LS : After completing the design, we were incredibly proud of the outcome and excited to share it with others. We wanted to gather feedback from fellow professionals to see if our design was recognized and appreciated for its quality and impact.
LS : We gained a deep understanding of the domain and the client's intricate workflows, which were essential to the design process. We learned how to simplify complex concepts and leverage all available tools to make them more accessible. Additionally, we grew our skills through close collaboration with both the client and domain experts, ensuring that every aspect of the project was aligned with their needs and expertise
