Search is more than just a box

Search functionality is pivotal in how users interact with websites and applications in the digital age. A well-designed search experience can significantly enhance user satisfaction, retention, and conversion rates.

In Q3 2023, I improved Falkonry’s user experience by building a new advanced tree filter feature with 1 PM, and 4 Engineers.

Impact

Context

Trees with many nodes(more than 5000) are not able to load in the Falkonry UI promptly. Navigating signal hierarchies with many signals and nodes could be a tedious process, and finding a specific signal could be tricky. 

So how might we?

So how do users find a signal now?

If users don't know the name of a signal, they will need to use other table columns to filter which can be time consuming. A signal name could be long and complex.

Keep in mind, I am not only designing the feature but always solving the problem of the navigation loading problem in all of our apps. So eventually, this new design paradigm will need to roll out to Falkonry AI Suites

Meet Industry Standards and be Innovative

When designing a feature like advanced search, there are certain industry standard we will have to meet. As the only 1 designer on this project, I need to smart and strategic around how I allocate the resources and design efforts so that I can not only communicate to my Product Manager and Engineers effectively but also deliver things on time.

With the startup pace work environment, communication is the key to this project.

I normally used hi-fi designs to ensure design, engineering and product are always in sync during our weekly meetings.

Combining Navigation and Filter

What are the filterable items?

Which form component I should use?

I spent an afternoon talking to Customer Success team to walk me through how customers are using the table filters now and then gathered the feedback and knowledge to come up with the final hi-fi design to show Product and Engineering teams.

Prepared prototype menu for different team members to better understand the interactions and visuals.

Final Design

What I learned

Constant Communication is the key to Seamless Development

In my role as the sole designer for this feature, I recognized the value of regular communication with PMs and engineers. This ongoing conversation allowed me to provide progress updates and quickly address any potential roadblocks in the design process. Constant communication not only made my design process highly adaptable but also fostered an open environment where team members felt comfortable approaching me with their concerns or challenges.

‍