Luca Santoro

🤔

🧐

Good design is

empathy

applied to

problem solving

.

What can you expect?

Profile and Ambition

Why UX?

My passion for UX and design roots in the essence of who I am and in my personality. I am genuinely fascinated by natural and cognitive sciences which I believe are essential to understand the world we live in and, consequently related to my field, how to build products that can truly aim to satisfy human needs.

Teamwork equals dreamwork!

I excel in teamwork, bringing strong collaboration skills and a focus on creating a positive work environment. My rational approach ensures that projects are handled , while my emphasis on well-being fosters a supportive and productive workplace. This combination allows me to effectively contribute to team success and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Where am I headed?

My mid-term career goal is to gain extensive experience in the UX field across different markets, focusing on both digital and physical products. I aim to become a well-rounded expert capable of directing and leading a UX department with cross-domain knowledge.

What am I doing right now?

Since December 1st, I'm officially a Dortmunder! Right now, I'm focusing on learning the German language to better connect with users and express my full potential as a designer! 🚀

Leisure

Whenever I feel social…

I enjoy quality time with friends, whether it's catching up over board games, exploring nature on hikes together, or simply meeting for a chat in a park.

Whenever I crave some "me time"…

I dive into movies, series, or artistic video games, like my favourite Ori and the Blind Forest. Gaming also offers a competitive outlet – I'm an avid League of Legends esports gamer.

Whenever I feel curious…

I love exploring scientific (with particular interest in physics), tech and design concepts through documentaries and videos. To further challenge myself and connect with diverse creative minds, I participate in design challenges and hackathons, constantly expanding my horizons.

Whenever I'm… doom scrolling I guess?

Reddit and YouTube are my way to go! From cool and awesome things in r/damnthatsinteresting to "???" stuff like r/sipstea

Projects

Most of the following projects were done in teams, and each experience was intentionally created with new and diverse groups. This approach aimed to teach me how to navigate and collaborate with a broad range of characters and personalities.

I’m pleased to say that every team experience has been a rewarding journey, allowing me to grow and deepen my appreciation for the diverse approaches and backgrounds that such an environment offers.

CRAB Analysis

Quantitative Analysis for Informed Redesign

Context

Master thesis

Tools
Product

CRAB is a game-based cognitive assessment test. It is currently used in primary schools in France, Italy and Switzerland to assess students cognitive abilities to tailor teaching methods and spot neurodevelopmental disorders early on.

Task

Perform quantitative analysis of performance metrics to spot flaws in the UX and establish a UX assessment method to carry on across design iterations.

Process

1️⃣

Performed literature review to gain knowledge on the best practices for conducting a UX assessment of this specific tool.

2️⃣

Created CGUESS-18, a scientifically backed questionnaire tailored to assess the UX of video games for children aged 5-8.

3️⃣

Organized test sessions with users.

4️⃣

Facilitated testing sessions.

5️⃣

Administered the questionnaire to users.

6️⃣

Evaluated the UX of the product.

7️⃣

Created an R script to import, clean, format, and analyze data, automatically generating a report formatted with R Markdown.

8️⃣

Derived insights from data analysis and delievered them to the product owner and design team.

*️⃣

Submitted an additional document highlighting software bugs, inconsistencies in its database, and critical UX issues based on my observations and personal experience with the software.

Most Valuable Takeaway

Certain user populations require a specifically tailored approach when managing UX tests and assessments, which cannot be overlooked. This is why conducting thorough research beforehand is essential to ensure the gathered data is valuable.

F. Suite 2.0

ERP System and Customer Center Redesign

Context

Internship at F.technology

Tools
Product

F.Suite is the ERP system developed by F.technology for both internal use and as a reference product for potential clients.

Over time, the software suffered from UI aging, unoptimized workflows, and poor information architecture.

Task

Redesign the ERP system to align with the company’s current state, while improving the UI, accessibility, and overall efficiency of user flows.

Process

This was not a straightforward process, as there was significant back-and-forth between defining user flow, wireframing, validation and prototyping due to my previous lack of experience and difficulty in assertively navigating the differing opinions of the CEO and the product owner.

1️⃣

Gained a deep understanding of the software’s capabilities through ethnographic research and stakeholder discussions.

2️⃣

Analyzed the company’s current structure and workflows.

3️⃣

Organized and facilitated workshops and focus groups with relevant departments and the CEO to co-create optimized workflows.

4️⃣

Collaborated with the CEO and product owner to refine user flows and workflows.

🔁

Some cycles of validation and adjustment.

5️⃣

Produced and validated wireframes for the most critical areas of the software.

🔁

Some cycles of validation and adjustment.

6️⃣

Created mid-fidelity mockups for prioritized areas of the software.

🔁

Some cycles of validation and adjustment.

*️⃣

In addition to the main project, I designed a mid-fidelity mockup of the Customer Center section for the company's website based on the data gathered in earlier steps.

Most Valuable Takeaway

As a UX expert and analyst, it's crucial to assertively drive collaboration among stakeholders to ensure optimal time usage and effective decision-making.

Google Calendar Redesign

Interaction Design and Rapid Prototyping

Context

University course (Prototyping Interactive Systems)

Tools
Product

Google Calendar is a calendar app that helps users create, manage, and share events and tasks.

Task

Focus on a set of micro-interactions, create multiple variations, and showcase them in a real-feel mockup, discussing their pros and cons.

Process

1️⃣

Analyzed the application to identify postures and macro-interaction categories, gaining a clearer understanding of its scope.

2️⃣

Selected a set of micro-interactions.

3️⃣

Brainstormed and noted as many variations as possible.

4️⃣

Prototyped the variations.

5️⃣

Documented the pros and cons of the variations.

Most Valuable Takeaway

Prototypes are an amazing communication tool for designers. They don't always need to be highly detailed or ready for handoff, especially if their primary purpose is to explore ideas and communicate concepts.

WonderGene

Rebranding, Design System and Website Redesign

Context

University course (Visual Design)

Tools
Links
Product

The website serves as a central hub for users to discover and understand WonderGene's genetic testing services. Its primary goals are to attract new customers, build trust, and position WonderGene as a reliable provider in the genetic testing field.

ScienceUP, a newly established branch of WonderGene, focuses on scientific communication. It engages schools, companies, and researchers by providing resources that promote a deeper understanding of genetic science and its applications.

Task

Redesign the website to enhance customer experience by improving attraction, service quality, and establish WonderGene's credibility. Additionally, develop a design system and branding for the company.

Process

The process was mainly based on Design Thinking; the following list is a breakdown of the steps that were taken within the approach:

1️⃣ Research

Analyzed the company brief and conducted in-depth research on the genetic testing industry. This included interviewing a subject matter expert and performing competitive benchmarking to identify key trends and insights.

2️⃣ Design Goals

Assessed the current website and outlined specific pain points, setting clear design goals based on the research findings.

3️⃣ Personas

Defined personas representing core user groups for the website's two main sections: WonderGene and ScienceUP.

4️⃣ Branding

Created a moodboard, defined the color palette, selected typography and shapes, and established the communication style to form the brand's visual identity. These elements served as the foundation for the branding guidelines and informed the website redesign.

5️⃣ Customer Journey

Mapped out customer journeys for each persona to better understand user needs and guide the restructuring of the website’s content.

6️⃣ Information Architecture

Organized website content using card sorting and created a site map to structure the information into clear macro categories.

7️⃣ Wireframing

Drafted wireframes for key pages based on the user journeys, determining content placement and initial page layouts.

8️⃣ Design System

Developed a design system based on the prior work done on branding.

9️⃣ Prototyping

Prototyped the website using the wireframes and design system

🔟 User Testing

Conducted user tests to validate the design, using the established customer journeys for each persona. Insights from these tests informed further iterations, resulting in an improved website experience.

*️⃣

In addition to the requested redesign, a solution was proposed to integrate ScienceUP into WonderGene's website, along with a section where users could place customized genetic testing orders.

Most Valuable Takeaway

Design systems are excellent tools for ensuring consistency and scalability. However, moving through design phases without thorough user research and consistent stakeholder communication reduced the creation of a design system to a mere exercise.

Rifugio Altissimo Damiano Chiesa

Website Redesign

Context

Freelance work

Tools
Product

The website serves as a key touchpoint for users seeking information about Rifugio Altissimo Damiano Chiesa, such as its operational status, directions, and kitchen hours. It also acts as a digital billboard, showcasing the hut's beauty to attract visitors.

Task

Redesign the website to enhance readability and convey a more professional image.

Process

1️⃣

Analyzed the current website and consulted with the product owner to understand their needs and goals.

2️⃣

Conducted benchmarking to assess global competitors.

3️⃣

Conducted a small user research study to understand user needs.

4️⃣

Discussed new ideas and features with the product owner.

5️⃣

Co-created the information architecture and wireframes with the product owner.

6️⃣

Prototyped the website, ensuring proper CMS integration.

7️⃣

Validated the prototype with the product owner.

🔁

Some cycles of validation and adjustment.

8️⃣

Delivered the final website along with documentation and a video tutorial on how to manage content through the CMS.

*️⃣

The website did not go live due to internal management issues at the hut.

Most Valuable Takeaway

I enhanced my expertise, especially in Framer, responsive web design, and CMS integration.

ArcoSTATION by Sartori Ambiente

Redesigning the UX of Waste Disposal

Context

UX Design Challenge

Tools
Product

ArcoSTATION is an automated recycling depot with controlled hatch openings and user identification, designed to streamline and secure the recycling process. It promotes responsible waste disposal and efficient material management.

Task

Redesign the interface and experience of a smart recycling depot area, focusing on modernization and accessibility.

Process

During the challenge, the team adopted the Design Sprint methodology; the following list outlines the five steps of the Design Sprint, each representing a day of the challenge:

1️⃣ Mapping

Analyzed the company brief and outlined design goals and pain points using benchmarking, user journey mapping, and brainstorming techniques.

2️⃣ Ideation

Freely sketched ideas and collaboratively discussed them to generate a diverse range of concepts.

3️⃣ Decision

Isolated, filtered, and grouped features, validating them with the company to refine our focus.

4️⃣ Prototyping

Enhanced existing user flow and interface to align with the company's rebranding.

5️⃣ Testing

Conducted user testing and semi-structured interviews to gather insights on user needs and validate our design choices.

*️⃣

In addition to the report and prototype, an external redesign based on user interview outcomes was proposed to provoke thought and encourage exploration of new perspectives.

Most Valuable Takeaway

Even small changes can significantly improve usability without disrupting an existing system.

Want to know more?

Or you can always checkout my extended CV-Portfolio PDF if you don't like human interactions 🫣

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