Introduction
CodeLab is a student-run software development and UX design agency at UC Davis.During the 2023-24 school, my team and I worked on a platform called AutoMail, a desktop application designed to improve efficiency by automating email processes for recruitment and marketing tasks. Our tool connects and pulls data from Airtable, allowing the conversion of stored information into selectable recipients within the platform. From there, the user will be able to send emails to any list size, select multiple recipients, and apply custom templates effortlessly.
The Project
CodeLab faces a challenge where although using MailChimp has been effective in delivering emails using customized templates, CodeLab has outgrown the free version due to an expanding email list. Because of this, CodeLab is now seeking an alternative solution with greater flexibility to continue personalized email campaigns without additional costs.
The Design
Previously...
At the end of winter quarter, we had finished high-fidelity designs for the Automated Email Tool. However, we believed that our design did not accurately represent our product as it was a developer-focused product that did not have as much creativity as the original Mailchimp-inspired design. We decided to create a cleaner, simpler interface, keeping the original functionality.
Mid-Fi's
In our Mid-Fi designs, we focused on a clean and minimalist interface to streamline the user/s interaction with the tool. We settled on the name "AutoMail" because we felt it encapsulated the core functionality of our project—automated email sending. To enhance the user experience, we incorporated a sidebar navigation system, allowing users to easily navigate through different pages of the application.
Hi-Fi's
In our Hi-Fi designs, we continued to focus on creating a sleek and developer-friendly interface for AutoMail, ensuring it aligns with our target user base. From there, we implemented and experimented with colors and icons to enhance the visual appeal and usability of the interface. We chose a cohesive color palette that provided a professional look, while also ensuring that the icons conveyed their respective functions.
Challenges
For the duration of our project, we faced a few challenges. First, our team had limited knowledge of the necessary tech stack, which required additional time for learning and adaptation. Secondly, we were working under strict time constraints, which put pressure on our ability to thoroughly develop and test the system. Lastly, we had to prioritize key functionalities to ensure the most critical aspects of the project were completed within the given timeframe.
Takeaways
Despite these challenges, we managed to persevere and discover the most effective strategies for our team's strengths and needs. Throughout this journey, we learned the importance of maintaining consistent and clear communication. This ensured everyone was on the same page, eliminating confusion and enabling seamless operations. Our efforts paid off as we reached several significant milestones, the most notable being the successful mass sending of our first email.
One particular thing the developers wish they had spent more time on is testing. Currently, the product has features that haven't been tested properly using edge cases. When dealing with APIs, our goal was to ensure that all possible errors are handled and communicated with the user efficiently, which we were not able to achieve in the given time frame.
As we move forward, our attention turns to implementing exciting new features: implementing scheduled sending, enabling direct emailing through our platform, and creating groups from within our application. These additional features will streamline our communication processes and elevate user experience.
