Omni-channel Inbox
Simpu is a unique platform that deals with multiple integrations to over 10 different platforms from social media channels to databases to e-commerce platforms. My goal when designing the design system was to make sure that it was flexible enough to accommodate all the various platform connections without losing its own design style. For the spacing system, I went with an 8px grid system.
Research & Competitor analysis
My research first centred around the competition space in order to understand how other apps are addressing similar issues.
When I joined Simpu over two years ago, a simple search on Google for an omnichannel inbox would have brought up no results except for the main players: Intercom, Front and Podium and none were operating within the African market space. AB testing
Ideation and Information Architecture
When working on a living and breathing project, the ideas, features, updates and site maps are always constantly evolving, But one thing that was constant all through the design process was always making sure to create a mindmap for every new feature to be designed and implemented.
Product evolution
Like every good product starts with ideation, continuous product development and evolution are necessary as the needs of the users change, the ecosystem evolves and you learn more about the product needs.
Simpu now
Simpu in 2020
Conclusions and Next Steps
As the only designer working with a team of 10 developers, proper design-to-engineering hand-off is very important to ensure designs are properly implemented with minimal need for reviews and I accomplished that by ensuring the developers are carried along from the beginning of the design process, leaving contextual comments on figma to aid understanding and having design reviews before and after implementation.
Working on Simpu for over two years helped me see how a product grows, evolves and improves to fit the user and market needs. From going under the radar in Beta testing for over a year to publicly launching and making top apps on product hunt, through various intuitive product updates and some failed features. Simpu as a product is still evolving and growing but it is amazing to see how far the product evolved within the years I spent there and I am very optimistic for the future.