Case Study
A Scalable UI Redesign for Satellite Comms Systems
My Role
Director of UX/UI Design
KVH Industries
Satellite Communications Platform
I owned the end-to-end redesign of the satellite communications platform, translating complex technical requirements into a clear, scalable design system while collaborating closely with globally distributed engineering teams.
CHALLENGE
A UI That Couldn’t Keep Up
The legacy UI made everyday tasks harder than they needed to be. It was non-responsive, visually dense, and relied on nested interactions that forced users to hunt for critical system information. Important status details were easy to miss, and workflows that should have been quick required extra effort and attention.
As the platform grew, these issues compounded. New features were added to an interface not built to scale, increasing friction for users and complexity for engineering teams.
Legacy interface showing dense data presentation, limited hierarchy, and non-responsive layout.
Pre-redesign interface lacking responsive layout and a defined visual hierarchy.
Redesigned home page with a scalable layout, clear hierarchy, and improved discoverability.
Task-focused page design enabling deeper control without increasing cognitive load.
Monitoring views designed to surface critical changes at a glance.
Monitoring views designed to surface critical changes at a glance.
Detailed system configuration presented within a consistent interaction model.
Approach
From Requirements to Production
Design work focused on translating complex technical requirements into a scalable, production-ready UI. Close collaboration with hardware, software, and networking teams ensured designs aligned with real system constraints while remaining flexible enough to support future growth.
Early input from stakeholders was distilled into a set of core use cases that defined how the platform needed to work day to day. These scenarios guided early wireframes, which were used to explore layout, hierarchy, and interaction patterns before moving into more detailed, interactive designs.
Final assets were delivered with detailed specifications to support development and iteration. Design involvement continued through implementation to maintain quality, consistency, and alignment as the platform evolved.
Info Architecture & Visual Hierarchy
The UI was restructured around a clearer information architecture, surfacing content that had previously been buried in nested views. Dedicated screens and a persistent sidebar improved discoverability, reduced cognitive load, and created a more scalable foundation.
Layout System & Design Standards
A formal layout system and design standards were introduced to address inconsistencies across the interface. Grid rules, spacing, and reusable components enabled faster development while maintaining consistency as the platform evolved.
Color, Typography & Clarity
Color and typography were standardized to improve hierarchy, orientation, and system state visibility. Visual noise was reduced through increased whitespace and clearer grouping, making complex information easier to scan and understand.
Results & Impact
Measurable Improvement
Faster Development
A documented design system and unified code base enabled parallel development and reduced dependency on design for incremental updates.
Improved Usability
Updated color usage and iconography surfaced system status at a glance, while enhanced navigation conveyed more context without increasing visual density.
Built for Long-Term Growth
An expandable sidebar combined with tabbed page layouts supports multiple layers of navigation and future feature expansion.
Reduced Training Overhead
Complex functionality was surfaced more intuitively, minimizing user confusion and reducing the need for formal training.
CASE STUDY
Turning Complex Research into Usable Insight
Designing data-driven visuals that make dense research usable and shareable across marketing campaigns.