ToxServices: Scientific Assessment Application
Bringing a scientific evaluation online in an approachable, useable way.
ToxServices is a third-party reviewer for the US EPA’s Safer Choice Product Labeling program. Their customers are manufacturers of a wide range of cleaning, household, and personal care products.
The Project
ToxServices chemists developed a product evaluation tool using an excel spreadsheet.
They wanted it built into an online application that would be offered as a free tool from their website, with the goal of driving more traffic to the website and generating new business.
My Role & Challenges
The ToxServices programmer couldn’t figure out the css code for vertical labels and called me in a panic. He was convinced we needed to create a graphic for each one. But, I noticed many more usability problems than just fixing the vertical labels…big things like…
- Instructions and evaluation information were out-of-sight down at the bottom of the page!
- Multiple layers of headings on the matrix were visually cluttered
- Definitions of numerical values were separate from results, forcing users to have to search for what their results meant
- No corporate branding
- No links or calls to action for promoting related services or products
Very confusing tool! It hadn’t even occurred to ToxServices management to get a UX person involved.
The Results
After a quick user analysis, I put together a series of recommendations that would:
- Orientate the user from the “get-go” so they don’t feel completely lost
- Provide visual clues to steps if the user decides to jump right in without reading the directions
- Clean up and format so that the user doesn’t feel overloaded with a process that requires many inputs
- Brand the application so it is clear to the user what company is providing it
- Provide clear and direct links for follow-on consulting and evaluation services.
I provided the HTML/CSS code for the programmer to implement.
Original Spreadsheet Prototype provided by client
Resulting Assessment Calculator Page
