Design Leader
ContactCURRENTLY DigitalOcean
PREVIOUSLY SCAD
IBM
Skeptic
Philographica
Selbert Perkins Design
Design Leader
ContactCURRENTLY DigitalOcean
PREVIOUSLY SCAD
IBM
Skeptic
Philographica
Selbert Perkins Design
Set Users Up for Success
Empowerment by Design
Driving Growth Through Design
All the World’s a Map
Luxury Reimagined
ABOUT Who I Am, What I Build
Philosophy of Leadership
wRITINGS We Don’t Need Another Framework
Design Leadership Is Cultural Leadership
Designers Should Own the Narrative
Speed and Substance Can Coexist
Collaboration Is the Work
Design as Stewardship of Experience
The Democratization of AI Set Up
The Watson Candidate Assistant faced a critical challenge: its traditional, service-heavy setup process required extensive customization for each client. This approach was unsustainable, time-intensive, and inaccessible to non-technical users. The result? Lengthy installation times and frustrated users, limiting the product’s adoption and scalability.
APPROACHI spearheaded a cross-functional initiative to redesign the setup experience, shifting from developer-led customization to a scalable, self-service model. Partnering with the Offering Manager and involving a diverse team from design, development, support, and sales, we pursued a bold vision to democratize the AI setup process, empowering users of all technical backgrounds.
Our strategy included: Iterative Design Sprints: Testing and refining prototypes based on constant user feedback.IBM Carbon Framework: Leveraging a modern design system to create a future-ready, intuitive UI.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Aligning stakeholders on a user-first approach, focusing on accessibility and simplicity.SOLUTIONThe resulting Watson Talent Self-Service Admin Tool transformed the setup process into an empowering, app-like experience. Key innovations included:
- A guided setup interface enabling users to configure the product themselves without technical assistance.
- Educational tooltips and in-app guidance to foster confidence and reduce errors.
- Scalable features that supported customization while maintaining simplicity.
This shift fundamentally redefined the product, making it more accessible and user-friendly while significantly reducing dependency on technical teams.
IMPACT
The results of this transformation were profound:
- Reduced installation times by over 90%, from several weeks to just a few days.
- Enhanced user satisfaction, as reported in post-implementation surveys.
- Enabled internal teams to focus on innovation and value-add features rather than repetitive setups.
- Positioned Watson Candidate Assistant as a leader in user-friendly AI applications, driving broader adoption and engagement.