UX Design Process

VETTEXX

Veterinary Software Workflow Optimization

Overview

This project focused on improving the usability and efficiency of veterinary practice management software used in a clinical setting. In fast-paced environments such as ER and internal medicine, existing systems often created friction through unclear workflows, fragmented information, and inefficient navigation. The goal was to redesign key interactions to support faster, more accurate task completion and reduce cognitive load for clinical staff.

Problem

Veterinary staff relied on software that was not designed with real clinical workflows in mind. This led to:

• Time lost navigating between screens

• Inconsistent data entry and communication gaps

• Increased cognitive load during high-pressure cases

• Frustration and reduced efficiency among staff

Goal

Design a more intuitive and streamlined user experience that aligns with real clinical workflows, improves task efficiency, and supports clear communication across veterinary teams.

Process

Research

• Observed day-to-day clinical workflows in ER and internal medicine

• Identified common pain points in scheduling, patient records, and treatment tracking

• Gathered informal user feedback from veterinary technicians and staff

Analysis

• Mapped user journeys for key tasks (patient intake, treatment updates, discharge)

• Identified breakdowns in information hierarchy and navigation

• Prioritized areas with the highest impact on efficiency and clarity

Design

• Created wireframes and prototypes in Figma

• Simplified navigation and reduced unnecessary steps in key workflows

• Improved layout and visual hierarchy for faster information scanning

• Standardized components for consistency across the system

Iteration

• Refined designs based on feedback from users in clinical roles

• Adjusted workflows to better match real-world use cases

Solution

The redesigned system introduced:

• Streamlined workflows for common tasks

• Clearer organization of patient data and treatment information

• Improved visual hierarchy for faster decision-making

• Reduced steps required to complete critical actions

Outcome

• Improved task efficiency and reduced time spent navigating the system

• Increased clarity in communication across team members

• Reduced reliance on verbal clarification and workarounds

• More intuitive onboarding for new staff

Key Skills

UX Research • Workflow Mapping • Wireframing • Prototyping (Figma) • Information Architecture • Clinical Communication • Problem Solving

Graphic Design

Creative Process Outline — Veterinary Graphic Design

1. Problem Definition & Intake

Goal: Understand the clinical, educational, or UX problem that needs to be solved.

• Identify stakeholder (veterinarian, technician, client, researcher, admin team)

• Define the core issue:

  • Communication breakdown?

  • Workflow inefficiency?

  • Patient safety concern?

  • Educational gap?

• Gather constraints:

  • Medical accuracy requirements

  • Regulatory or hospital standards

  • Time/stress environment considerations (ER, ICU, outpatient)

Output: Clear problem statement + project goals

2. Research & Context Building

Goal: Ground design decisions in veterinary science and real-world workflows.

• Observe clinical environments (ER, surgery, labs, exam rooms)

• Interview veterinary staff and/or clients

• Review existing materials:

  • Discharge instructions

  • EMR interfaces

  • Training documents

• Study:

  • Species-specific anatomy and terminology

  • Common points of client confusion

  • Clinical workflow patterns

Output: Research summary + key insights

3. User & Workflow Mapping

Goal: Understand who uses the design and how it fits into their workflow.

• Define primary users:

  • Veterinarians

  • Veterinary technicians

  • Pet owners

  • Support staff

• Map user journey:

  • Intake → diagnosis → treatment → discharge → follow-up

• Identify friction points:

  • Miscommunication risks

  • High-stress decision moments

  • Data overload points

Output: User flows + pain point map

4. Ideation & Concept Development

Goal: Generate visual and structural solutions.

• Sketch layout ideas (low fidelity first)

• Explore multiple communication styles:

  • Clinical vs. patient-friendly

  • Text-heavy vs. visual-first

• Develop:

  • Icon systems (medication, symptoms, procedures)

  • Information hierarchy structures

  • Visual metaphors for complex processes

Output: Concept sketches + direction options

5. Information Architecture & Structure

Goal: Organize content for clarity and speed of understanding.

• Prioritize critical information (safety first)

• Break down medical content into digestible sections

• Establish hierarchy:

  • Urgent instructions

  • Step-by-step processes

  • Supporting details

• Align structure with user urgency (ER vs. general care)

Output: Wireframes or structured layout system

6. Visual Design & System Development

Goal: Build the final visual language.

• Develop:

  • Typography system (readability-focused)

  • Color coding (severity, urgency, species, workflow states)

  • Iconography system (standardized across materials)

• Ensure accessibility:

  • High contrast

  • Simple language pairing

  • Visual redundancy (icons + text)

Output: High-fidelity designs + design system

7. Validation & Clinical Feedback

Goal: Ensure medical accuracy and usability in real environments.

• Review with veterinary professionals

• Test comprehension with non-clinical users (pet owners)

• Evaluate:

  • Clarity of instructions

  • Speed of understanding

  • Error points or confusion areas

Output: Feedback report + revision list

8. Iteration & Refinement

Goal: Improve based on real-world usability feedback.

• Adjust hierarchy, wording, and visuals

• Simplify where users struggled

• Refine icon clarity and labeling

• Align final design with clinical workflow needs

Output: Final refined design system

9. Implementation & Deployment

Goal: Integrate design into real veterinary systems.

• Print production (handouts, posters, signage)

• Digital integration (EMR systems, portals, tablets)

• Staff training on usage

• Standardization across departments

Output: Live deployed materials or systems

10. Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

Goal: Measure impact and refine over time.

• Track:

  • Client comprehension

  • Staff efficiency improvements

  • Reduction in follow-up questions/errors

• Gather ongoing feedback from users

• Update designs as protocols or medical standards evolve

Output: Performance review + updated versions

Biomedical Illustration

Creative Process — Biomedical Veterinary Illustration

1. Scientific Problem Definition

Goal: Clearly define what biological or medical concept needs to be communicated.

• Identify purpose:

  • Education (students, technicians, clients)

  • Clinical communication (procedures, pathology)

  • Research publication or presentation

• Define subject scope:

  • Anatomy, pathology, physiology, pharmacology, or surgical process

• Clarify audience level:

  • Layperson, veterinary student, clinician, or researcher

Output: Defined scientific objective + audience level

2. Veterinary & Biomedical Research

Goal: Establish scientific accuracy before any visual development.

• Review veterinary textbooks, journals, and clinical references

• Study species-specific anatomy (canine, feline, equine, exotic, etc.)

• Gather clinical references:

  • Radiographs, CT scans, ultrasound, histology slides

• Consult veterinary professionals for validation when possible

• Identify key biological structures and relationships

Output: Annotated reference collection + scientific notes

3. Conceptual Visualization Planning

Goal: Determine how to visually translate complex biological systems.

• Decide illustration type:

  • Anatomical cutaway

  • Step-by-step procedural sequence

  • Pathology progression

  • Comparative anatomy

  • Cellular/microscopic visualization

• Identify key visual priorities:

  • What must be emphasized?

  • What can be simplified or abstracted?

• Plan visual narrative flow (especially for multi-step processes)

Output: Concept sketches + visual breakdown plan

4. Structural Sketching & Composition

Goal: Establish accurate spatial relationships and composition hierarchy.

• Create rough anatomical layouts

• Map proportions based on reference data

• Define:

  • Primary focal structures

  • Secondary supporting systems

  • Cutaway or transparency layers if needed

• Organize information flow:

  • Direction of procedure or physiological process

  • Progressive staging (if multi-step)

Output: Preliminary compositional sketches

5. Anatomical Accuracy & Refinement

Goal: Ensure scientific precision in structure and labeling.

• Refine anatomical proportions using reference imaging

• Cross-check with veterinary anatomical standards

• Adjust:

  • Muscle placement and depth layering

  • Organ positioning and spatial relationships

  • Pathological distortions (if applicable)

• Validate against veterinary feedback or literature

Output: Scientifically accurate refined draft

6. Visual Translation & Rendering Style

Goal: Convert scientific structure into clear, readable visual language.

• Choose rendering style:

  • Realistic biomedical rendering

  • Semi-schematic educational illustration

  • Vector-based diagrammatic style

• Develop visual hierarchy:

  • Highlighted structures (color, contrast, line weight)

  • Faded background anatomy for context

• Use visual systems:

  • Color coding for systems (nervous, circulatory, musculoskeletal)

  • Texture variation for tissue differentiation

Output: High-fidelity illustration draft

7. Labeling & Scientific Annotation

Goal: Ensure clarity through structured informational layering.

• Add anatomical labels with consistent typography

• Use callouts or leader lines for clarity

• Group related structures (systems-based labeling)

• Maintain readability without overcrowding

• Align terminology with veterinary standards

Output: Annotated scientific illustration

8. Expert Review & Validation

Goal: Confirm scientific integrity and usability.

• Review with veterinarians, researchers, or educators

• Check for:

  • Anatomical accuracy

  • Clinical relevance

  • Clarity of explanation

• Adjust based on feedback:

  • Misrepresented structures

  • Overcomplicated visuals

  • Missing contextual elements

Output: Feedback-driven revision plan

9. Iteration & Final Refinement

Goal: Improve clarity, precision, and visual communication.

• Refine anatomical detail and proportion

• Adjust contrast and visual emphasis

• Simplify or enhance labeling hierarchy

• Ensure balance between accuracy and readability

Output: Final polished biomedical illustration

10. Publication & Application

Goal: Deploy illustration in real-world veterinary or educational contexts.

• Applications:

  • Veterinary textbooks and journals

  • Clinical education materials

  • Client-facing educational handouts

  • Digital learning platforms or animations

• Prepare formats:

  • Print-ready high-resolution files

  • Digital interactive versions (if applicable)

  • Modular components for reuse in systems

Output: Published or deployed scientific illustration asset

11. Review & Knowledge Evolution

Goal: Keep scientific visuals updated with evolving veterinary knowledge.

• Update based on:

  • New research or imaging techniques

  • Evolving clinical standards

  • Feedback from users and educators

• Maintain versioned illustration systems for accuracy over time

Output: Updated illustration iterations + system improvements