Vision Source — National Intranet Platform
Project Overview
Vision Source is a network of more than 3,500 independent optometry offices across the U.S. The organization needed a centralized intranet platform to unify program information, equipment purchasing, funding opportunities, and internal communication for member practices.
The existing ecosystem was fragmented, with resources scattered across emails, PDFs, and vendor sites. The new platform had to be intuitive, responsive, and scalable, serving everyone from small single-location clinics to large multi-practice groups.
My Role
As Senior UX/UI Design Engineer, I was responsible for:
Defining the information architecture and overall user experience.
Designing a responsive single-page application (SPA) layout suitable for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Producing high-fidelity UI designs using Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks).
Partnering closely with product, marketing, and engineering teams to align design, content, and technical implementation.
Contributing to front-end development to ensure visual and functional accuracy.
The Challenge
Practices relied on scattered tools that were inefficient and inconsistent. Users needed a single, reliable portal to:
View and enroll in vendor programs
Order equipment and track pricing
Manage funding and incentive programs
Access communications and support
The platform had to be mobile-friendly, since many users accessed it from exam rooms or front desks during patient flow.
The Process
1. Discovery & Definition
I began with stakeholder interviews and user research, speaking directly with practice owners, staff, and vendor partners. By mapping user journeys, I identified the most common tasks and their current pain points.
Key insights:
Users were overwhelmed by disorganized information.
Access needs varied by role — owners, staff, and vendors required different interfaces.
The majority of access happened on non-desktop devices.
2. Information Architecture & Wireframes
I structured the platform using a modular information architecture, separating programs, equipment, funding, and communication into distinct, logically grouped areas.
Developed wireframes to visualize layout and navigation.
Prioritized reducing cognitive load and click depth.
Facilitated working sessions to align UX with business priorities.
3. UI Design
Using Adobe Creative Suite, I created high-fidelity UI designs and interaction specs.
Developed a component-based visual language to maintain consistency.
Optimized typography, spacing, and color contrast for accessibility.
Designed responsive layouts for desktop, tablet, and mobile breakpoints.
4. Build & Collaboration
I partnered with developers to translate design into a working SPA.
Provided front-end implementation support, including HTML/CSS and interaction patterns.
Created stand alone applications using Javascript
Ensured WAI/508 accessibility compliance.
Collaborated with marketing to integrate vendor resources and content workflows.
5. Launch & Evolution
Once launched, the platform became the central hub for operational resources across all Vision Source offices. I supported the team with:
Post-launch enhancements.
Additional modules and UI refinements.
Documentation to support long-term scalability.
Impact
Centralized tools and programs for 3,500+ practices.
Improved task completion times for core actions like program enrollment and equipment ordering.
Optimized for mobile and tablet use in real clinical settings.
Achieved accessibility compliance, improving usability for all staff roles.
Established a component-driven visual language for future product growth.
Key Takeaway
This project showed the power of clear information architecture, responsive design, and tight cross-functional collaboration. By leveraging both UX strategy and front-end execution, we delivered a platform that increased operational efficiency across thousands of practices.