C3.ai: Empowering data analysts without technical background to gain AI/ML insights
Ex Machina is a canvas-based data analytics platform that enables anyone to develop, scale, and apply AI/ML insights without writing code. I collaborated closely with the product and engineering teams to deliver various key features in Ex Machina. I created a new product-led onboarding experience to increase retention rate, implemented effective error handling mechanisms and designed intuitive experiences for complex data preparation and analysis capabilities.
Users
Data analysts who work primarily with small datasets, using tools like Excel to clean, transform, and visualize data, often without formal data science or programming expertise.
Research insights
First-time users struggled to understand product value
When users first land on the homepage, they encounter a lack of guidance and unclear next steps. This leaves many unsure of where to start or what the platform offers, making it difficult to grasp its value quickly.
Users needed more learning resources and documentation
When users encountered challenges during a project, they struggled to find adequate resources and clear documentation. This lack of support made it difficult for them to resolve issues independently, often leading to frustration.
Users frequently encountered errors but lacked guidance to resolve them
Users experienced errors even before starting their tasks, with no clear instructions on troubleshooting or resolution. This led to confusion and stalled progress, as users were unable to understand the root cause of issues or how to proceed.
Ideate
We explored various directions to improve onboarding, documentation and error handling. After evaluating the potential impact and effort required for each option, we prioritized the most valuable features to focus on.
Usable
The redesign prioritizes an immersive experience by minimizing distractions. Use subtle visual cues to enhance user engagement and encourage deeper immersion in the videos.
Reliable
The redesign puts video content front and center. This "content-first" approach emphasizes TikTok's core value: providing engaging and entertaining video content.
Valuable
The redesign ensures seamless transitions and content discovery, allowing users to effortlessly browse, watch, and interact with videos. Smooth animations and intuitive navigation keep users engaged within the flow of their experience, reducing friction.
Outcome
Guided onboarding experience
Introduced an interactive, learn-by-doing onboarding experience that helped new users understand core workflows directly in the product.
Improved documentation and learning resources
Reorganized documentation around user workflows, making it easier to discover features and learn how and when to use them.
More visual guidance to configure nodes instead of showing errors first
Added contextual explanations and visual guidance to help users configure complex nodes correctly before errors occurred.
New logic and interaction patterns to prevent and troubleshoot errors
Designed proactive validation and actionable error states that helped users understand, prevent, and recover from errors faster.
