Designing for Clarity

The Problem: A Filter Overload That Buried the Content

Over time, our client portal became cluttered - not because users needed more options, but because stakeholders kept adding filters and buttons under the assumption that everything needed to be available within one click. The result?

• The actual content table was pushed below the fold, making it harder to access.
• Filters were barely used, as heatmap data revealed low interaction.
• Instead of improving usability, the clutter created cognitive overload and distracted from the primary user goal.

The Solution: Designing with Data, Not Just Requests

Rather than simply removing elements, we used heatmap analytics to demonstrate user behavior. Armed with real data, we showed stakeholders:

• The majority of interactions were happening in the search bar, not the filters.
• The filters were taking up more space than the content itself.
• A dropdown would maintain accessibility while restoring hierarchy and focus.

With this evidence, we streamlined the interface by grouping all filters into a single dropdown, reducing clutter while keeping functionality intact.

The Business Impact: When Design Leads the Conversation

This wasn’t just a UI update - it was a shift in how decisions were made:

• Improved Usability - Users could now focus on content first, rather than wading through unnecessary UI elements.
• Data-Driven Decision Making -Instead of design being dictated by stakeholder opinions, we used real user behavior to drive choices.
• Stronger Product Strategy - By managing the conversation effectively, we reinforced design as a critical partner in shaping the product, not just executing requests.

Key Takeaway: The Best Design Decision Is Often What You Remove

Great design isn't about adding more, it's about prioritization and balance. By aligning user needs with business goals, we created a cleaner, more efficient interface while strengthening design's role as a strategic leader in product development.