Responsive design - Touch friendly
Interactive demo: www.csx.kztek.com
Workforce application: non-exempt time sheet entry screen
Workforce application dashboard screen
Refreshing a Tired Interface
As a contractor for CSX Transportation, I was tasked with reimagining the user interface of a critical HR application. This system managed essential data-driven tasks such as scheduling and workforce management—tools integral to the company's operations. The existing interface, though functional, was outdated and lacked the visual and usability elements that could improve user engagement and efficiency. Recognizing the importance of this system to the company’s daily operations, I saw an opportunity to breathe new life into the design, creating a modern and compelling user experience.
A Vision for a Thematic Redesign
Understanding the unique culture and identity of CSX Transportation, I chose to embrace the rich heritage of the railroad industry as the core theme of the redesign. My objective was not just to refresh the look of the application but to align it with the company's identity while making a strong visual statement that reflected innovation and modernization. To achieve this, I deliberately employed:
Railroad-Themed Imagery: Striking visuals of locomotives, tracks, and other rail-related elements to ground the application in the company’s mission and heritage.
Bold Use of Colors: A palette inspired by the railroad environment—deep steel greys, vibrant blues, and earthy tones—was selected to convey strength and reliability.
Dynamic Layouts: Modernized the data presentation with clean, visually appealing layouts that made navigating complex schedules and datasets intuitive.
The Mockup Process
I began by designing high-fidelity mockups to communicate the vision effectively. The goal of these mockups was twofold:
-To visually demonstrate how the refreshed interface could elevate the user experience by organizing complex data sets in a digestible and aesthetically pleasing manner.
-To spark excitement among stakeholders by showcasing a dramatic shift from the aging interface to one that symbolized progress and modernization.
The mockups included restructured navigation for ease of use, improved typography for readability, and interactive elements designed to streamline workflow. Special attention was paid to ensuring that the interface could handle the intensive data requirements while remaining visually engaging.
Stakeholder Feedback and Iteration
The mockups were presented to senior management, who were impressed by the bold approach and thematic alignment with the railroad industry. Feedback sessions provided valuable insights, particularly about functionality and the need to balance visual appeal with operational efficiency. These discussions shaped iterative refinements, ensuring that the final design met both the aesthetic and practical requirements of the HR application.
Key Takeaways
This project underscored the importance of connecting design to organizational identity. By taking a bold approach and embedding CSX’s railroad heritage into the interface, I was able to demonstrate the power of design to not only improve usability but also inspire confidence in a company’s tools and direction.
Though the mockups were primarily created for presentation and feedback, they served as a critical step in CSX’s journey toward modernizing their HR systems. The project reaffirmed my belief that thoughtful UI design, rooted in both creativity and user-centered principles, can drive meaningful change in even the most data-intensive environments.
