Transforming Photo Management
2024
An award winning photographer dreams to improve and reinvigorate the way people purchase photos from photoshoots.
SaaS
Product Design
UI/UX Design
Design Systems
User Research
User Testing
Branding
Web App
Overview
About Photosyncro
Photophilcro Inc.'s Photosyncro is a web-based photo management application that allows photography clients to view, select, customize post-processing, and purchase photos from photoshoots. Initially developed by an award-winning photographer and a single developer, the team has since added another developer and I to the fray!
Problem
The initial version of Photosyncro, developed without dedicated UI/UX expertise, suffered from poor navigation, disorganized features, and confusing user flows. This resulted in frequent customer support requests, abandoned purchases, and most importantly — increased manual processing, an immense burden for the small team.
Solution
I delivered a comprehensive redesign focused on user experience, creating an intuitive interface with streamlined navigation, prioritized features, and a consistent design language. This included developing the first official branding, design system, and a strategic product roadmap to prevent future feature creep.
Impact
The redesign resulted in a 60% reduction in support tickets, 40% increase in customer onboarding, 35% uptick in post-processing add-on purchases, and freed the development team to focus on growth rather than troubleshooting.
60%
Less Support Requests Generated by Users
40%
Increase in Customer Onboarding
35%
More Post-Processing Add-On Purchases
16+
Hours Saved Per Week in Manual Support
Research & Discovery
User Journey & Flow
Through sessions with users across various demographics, I identified critical friction points in the selection and purchase process. Testing revealed 75% of first-time users struggled to complete purchases without assistance, and 65% were confused by the post-processing options. I distilled my findings from user research into three detailed personas representing key user groups: corporate clients, family-oriented users, and content creators.
Brand Positioning
Before my involvement, Photosyncro operated without a cohesive brand identity. Through stakeholder interviews and competitive analysis, I identified an opportunity to position the platform in the underserved space between complex professional tools and oversimplified consumer apps. The new positioning established Photosyncro as an friendly, trustworthy solution that respected both the photographer's craft and the client's need for simplicity.
Design & Development
Brand
I created Photosyncro's first official brand identity, developing a visual language that conveys professionalism while remaining friendly and approachable. The design balances photography-centric elements with clean, joyful aesthetics that appeal to both creative professionals and everyday users.
Design System
I built a comprehensive design system in Figma that standardized components, established clear hierarchies, and ensured consistency across the platform. This modular approach reduced development time for new features by more than 40% and provided a foundation for future scaling.
Testing & Iteration
Architecture
The redesigned website architecture features audience-specific pathways that guide different user groups to relevant content. I implemented a simplified navigation system that reduced clicks to key information by 60% and organized research content in a searchable database for improved accessibility.
User Improvements
The redesigned information architecture focused on intuitive navigation and clear user flows. I simplified the photo purchasing process from seven steps to three (three and a half if you add post-processing!), reorganized category structures based on user feedback, and implemented a flexible gallery view that accommodates both meticulous comparison and quick browsing.
Reflections
Lessons Learned
This project reinforced the critical importance of user research in addressing complex usability challenges. By understanding the diverse needs of different user groups—from tech-savvy influencers to retirees—I was able to design solutions that served everyone without compromising on functionality or simplicity. Listen to ALL of your users, they will tell you what they need.
Next Steps
The platform is better positioned towards scaling to a subscription model for photographers and I continue to assist designing future updates! Future development includes further implementing advanced analytics to track user behavior patterns, creating customizable templates for photographers to match their brand aesthetics, and further mobile-optimized interfaces for rapid purchasing at expo booths!
