Previously, the upload process for OVT Plus involved nine steps, presenting a challenge in simplifying these steps for the new soft review form. My focus was on optimizing the most cumbersome aspects of the process to ensure a memorable and user-friendly experience, mindful that users tend to remember difficulties more than seamless processes.

The initial step involved adding co-authors to videos, requiring users to search and add each one individually. To streamline this, I designed a modal window displaying search results, eliminating the need for users to navigate back and forth. A critical point identified through user testing was the confusion around selecting a lead author (who had completed their annual disclosure). We addressed this by visually indicating each co-author’s disclosure status with red and green colors, accompanied by clear messaging below their names. If disclosure was incomplete, a call-to-action button prompted users to take necessary action.

Authors were added sequentially based on selection order, with a precautionary call-to-action to ensure a lead author was selected before proceeding. Subsequent steps were designed to be straightforward once the initial requirements were met. Extensive internal and external usability testing validated the effectiveness of these improvements.

In addition to enhancing functionality, we integrated components from the new Canopy Design System, which received enthusiastic approval from users. This approach not only streamlined the upload process but also enhanced overall user satisfaction with the platform.