Printing presses are complex machines with many interconnected subsystems. Designing the operating system demands deep knowledge of technical and human factors. The main challenge is simplifying complexity so operators can quickly understand and act on the presented data.

Balancing advanced technology with usability, ensuring smooth interaction between the interface and the machinery while minimizing cognitive load.

The design must accommodate operators with varying levels of technical expertise, especially those transitioning from traditional offset presses, which can be overwhelming given the high-tech nature of the digital press.

• Steep Learning Curve
  Operators face difficulties with time-consuming and complex training processes due to the technical nature of the system and its many interrelated subsystems
• Over-Reliance on Support
  There is a frequent need for external field service support, which increases downtime, costs, and operational inefficiencies
• Cognitive Overload & Fear
  Many operators, especially those new to digital presses, feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the technology, leading to actual fear and potential errors

Create a unified and intuitive user experience that simplifies the workflow and empowers operators to perform tasks with ease and confidence.

• Integrated Help and Guidance
  Embedding real-time help and step-by-step guidance within the interface to provide operators with immediate assistance, reducing the need for field service.
• User-Centered Design
  An iterative design process, informed by continuous user research and feedback from subject matter experts, to ensure the system is both effective and intuitive for a range of operators.
• Task-Based Design
  Designing the interface around tasks and workflows, allowing operators to quickly access information and perform necessary tasks with minimal effort.

• User Research
  Initial research was conducted through interviews and observations with operators and subject matter experts to identify pain points and challenges involved in operating the press. This information formed the foundation of the design
• Prototyping & Iteration
  Based on the research, low-fidelity prototypes were developed to explore potential solutions
• Stakeholder Review & Approval
  Once the design concepts were refined, it was presented to multiple stakeholders, including engineers, product managers, and operations teams, to ensure the design met technical, functional, and business requirements
• Design, Documentation & Handoff
  Following approval, detailed design and specifications were compiled into a comprehensive design document. This document included specifications for all use cases, interactions and visual elements. It was presented to the development team and handed off to work
• Design QA
  Once development was completed, a design quality assurance process was performed, (unrelated to the standard software QA). This involved verifying that the development matched the design and that user interactions were intuitive and seamless
• Post-Release & Knowledge Transfer
  After the feature was released to the presses, a large-scale presentation was conducted as part of the version release to introduce operators to the new functionalities. We then worked with the knowledge management team to create learning materials and training resources
• User Feedback & Iteration
  Following the release, we visited operators on-site to gather feedback on the new features. This feedback was used to further iterate on the design, improving user experience and resolving any issues that arose post-launch

To evaluate the effectiveness of the new design, the following success metrics were established:

• Reduced Training Time: Tracking how quickly new operators could become proficient with the system compared to previous trainings.
• Decreased Need for Field Service Support: Monitoring field service support before and after implementation, aiming to reduce reliance.
• Lower Downtime: Analyzing press uptime and the time taken to resolve operational issues post-implementation.
• Improved Operator Satisfaction: Measured through surveys and feedback, with a focus on ease of use and confidence in managing the system.