Kara Lam Portfolio

Warehouse Automation Portal

The client wanted to replace their legacy warehouse execution system with a modern, web-based platform supporting fixed automation, robotics, and third-party integrations. The goal was to reduce complexity, improve real-time visibility, and enable a scalable, role-based product.

As Lead UX Designer, I ran discovery workshops, led user research, and delivered a modular design system plus an interactive prototype.

Role:

Lead UX Designer

Industry:

Logistics

Tools Used:

Figma, Mural

The problem

What wasn't working?
The existing system’s dense data grids, inconsistent terminology, and fragmented notification flows created confusion, costly change orders, and a steep learning curve.

Who was affected?
Line operators, admins, and project managers across e-commerce, logistics, and medical-device sites struggled with an overwhelming interface and heavy support needs.

Why was it important to solve?The business needed a repeatable, product-centric WES to handle next-gen automation, slash support overhead, and stay competitive.

“[The current interface] can be cluttered and overwhelming due to numerous options… Simplicity and ease of use must be prioritized” – Patrick, Project Manager

“There is a need for better dashboards and real-time insights... [the current software] is not intuitive for new users.” – Kyle, Operations Lead

My process

Discovery & Research

Facilitated a Solution Vision workshop to align on objectives (“web-based WES”), challenges (minimize custom dev, simplify grids), and success metrics (context-help adoption, navigation ease).
Led a Likes / Improvements / New Features exercise and plotted items on an impact-vs-effort matrix to prioritize scope.
Conducted 8 structured interviews with operators, admins, and PMs to uncover pain points around UI complexity, training gaps, and alert workflows.
Collaborated with Product and Engineering leads during both the Vision workshop and prioritization matrix to ensure our UX roadmap was technically feasible and aligned to business priorities.

Solution Vision Statement

"The [Warehouse Automation Portal] is a highly intuitive, modern and efficient Warehouse Execution System that adapts to diverse industry needs. Its user-centric interface prioritizes real-time data visibility and role-based customization to streamline workflows and provide actionable insights. The trusted system leverages thoughtful navigation patterns and context-sensitive help to reduce complexity and minimize training requirements, ultimately empowering its users to seamlessly manage warehouse operations."

Research Findings

Users reported that inconsistent terminology and cluttered interfaces were the biggest barriers to efficiency.
Stakeholders prioritized real-time dashboards and at-a-glance metrics to stay on top of operations.
Interviewees consistently asked for context-sensitive help to reduce reliance on heavy training and support.
High customization demands pointed to a need for a modular framework supporting personalization without custom code.

Design & Prototyping

Created a modular design system supporting personalization without full customization (buttons, grids, role-based views)
Developed high-fidelity mockups for critical tasks like order orchestration, inventory management, and alert triaging
Delivered an interactive prototype that reflected the 3 key user journeys from the existing personas: Commissioner, Operations Manager, & Administrator

Impact & lessons learned

What did I learn?
1. Aligning on a shared Solution Vision early keeps design focused and prevents scope creep.

2. Role-based interfaces dramatically simplify complex enterprise software for diverse user groups.

3. Context-sensitive help delivers outsized value for minimal development effort.

What would I do differently?
1. Involve front-line warehouse operators & direct customers in the research phase to catch edge-case workflows and cover any potential additional personas.

2. Surface key dashboard concepts during the feature prioritization workshop so specific charting needs can better inform the design.

Key Takeaways / Outcomes
1. Context-help usage was estimated to grow by 40%, confirming the new UI was more intuitive.

2. The modular component library cut custom development by roughly 70%, making future updates faster.

3. Received overwhelmingly positive feedback from presenting prototype & findings to client execs, showing that even straightforward UX processes can deliver immense value and help secure buy-in for future phases.

Impact Statement

Delivered a unified, web-based WES design anchored in a shared UX vision, modular components, and high-fidelity prototypes, that transformed the existing system into a scalable, user-friendly product.

What felt like a simple UX process and design unlocked enormous clarity for stakeholders unfamiliar with UX, slashing complexity and support overhead while earning praise at the highest levels.

Warehouse Automation Portal

Warehouse Automation Portal

Warehouse Automation Portal

Warehouse Automation Portal

The problem

The problem

The problem

The problem

What wasn't working? The existing system’s dense data grids, inconsistent terminology, and fragmented notification flows created confusion, costly change orders, and a steep learning curve.

What wasn't working? The existing system’s dense data grids, inconsistent terminology, and fragmented notification flows created confusion, costly change orders, and a steep learning curve.

Who was affected? Line operators, admins, and project managers across e-commerce, logistics, and medical-device sites struggled with an overwhelming interface and heavy support needs.

Who was affected? Line operators, admins, and project managers across e-commerce, logistics, and medical-device sites struggled with an overwhelming interface and heavy support needs.

Why was it important to solve?The business needed a repeatable, product-centric WES to handle next-gen automation, slash support overhead, and stay competitive.

Why was it important to solve?The business needed a repeatable, product-centric WES to handle next-gen automation, slash support overhead, and stay competitive.

My process

My process

My process

My process

Discovery & Research

Facilitated a Solution Vision workshop to align on objectives (“web-based WES”), challenges (minimize custom dev, simplify grids), and success metrics (context-help adoption, navigation ease).

Led a Likes / Improvements / New Features exercise and plotted items on an impact-vs-effort matrix to prioritize scope.

Conducted 8 structured interviews with operators, admins, and PMs to uncover pain points around UI complexity, training gaps, and alert workflows.

Collaborated with Product and Engineering leads during both the Vision workshop and prioritization matrix to ensure our UX roadmap was technically feasible and aligned to business priorities.

Solution Vision Statement

Research Findings

Users reported that inconsistent terminology and cluttered interfaces were the biggest barriers to efficiency.

Stakeholders prioritized real-time dashboards and at-a-glance metrics to stay on top of operations.

Interviewees consistently asked for context-sensitive help to reduce reliance on heavy training and support.

High customization demands pointed to a need for a modular framework supporting personalization without custom code.

Design & Prototyping

Created a modular design system supporting personalization without full customization (buttons, grids, role-based views)

Developed high-fidelity mockups for critical tasks like order orchestration, inventory management, and alert triaging

Delivered an interactive prototype that reflected the 3 key user journeys from the existing personas: Commissioner, Operations Manager, & Administrator

Impact & lessons learned

Impact & lessons learned

Impact & lessons learned

Impact & lessons learned

What did I learn?1. Aligning on a shared Solution Vision early keeps design focused and prevents scope creep.2. Role-based interfaces dramatically simplify complex enterprise software for diverse user groups.3. Context-sensitive help delivers outsized value for minimal development effort.

What did I learn?1. Aligning on a shared Solution Vision early keeps design focused and prevents scope creep.2. Role-based interfaces dramatically simplify complex enterprise software for diverse user groups.3. Context-sensitive help delivers outsized value for minimal development effort.

Impact Statement

More projects

More projects

More projects

More projects

What wasn't working?
The existing system’s dense data grids, inconsistent terminology, and fragmented notification flows created confusion, costly change orders, and a steep learning curve.

What wasn't working?
The existing system’s dense data grids, inconsistent terminology, and fragmented notification flows created confusion, costly change orders, and a steep learning curve.

Who was affected?
Line operators, admins, and project managers across e-commerce, logistics, and medical-device sites struggled with an overwhelming interface and heavy support needs.

Who was affected?
Line operators, admins, and project managers across e-commerce, logistics, and medical-device sites struggled with an overwhelming interface and heavy support needs.

What did I learn?
1. Aligning on a shared Solution Vision early keeps design focused and prevents scope creep.

2. Role-based interfaces dramatically simplify complex enterprise software for diverse user groups.

3. Context-sensitive help delivers outsized value for minimal development effort.

What did I learn?
1. Aligning on a shared Solution Vision early keeps design focused and prevents scope creep.

2. Role-based interfaces dramatically simplify complex enterprise software for diverse user groups.

3. Context-sensitive help delivers outsized value for minimal development effort.