Introduction

• Brief: Consult on the redesign of Matheson’s iPhone app for their global legal clientele.

• Challenge: Streamline complex legal resources for busy, high-profile users.

• Goals: Deliver clear, intuitive navigation and a polished UI that reflects Matheson’s reputation.

Discovery Phase

• Stakeholder interviews: Legal team and digital leads outlined must-have features and pain points.

• Business requirements: Support for international clients, secure access to resources, and a premium brand feel.

• User needs: Fast, reliable info on the go—no legal jargon or confusing menus.

Problem Framing

• Problem: The old app was clunky, with confusing navigation and dated visuals.

• Success: Users can find key resources in two taps or less.

• Constraints: iOS platform, tight timeline, strict security standards.

User Research

• User interviews: Talked to lawyers and client reps about daily app use.

• Competitive analysis: Benchmarked top legal and finance apps for navigation and design cues.

• Market research: Found that clarity and speed are critical for legal professionals.

Synthesis

• Personas: International counsel, in-house legal teams, and C-level execs.

• Journey mapping: From app open to resource access and document download.

• Insights: Users want quick access, clean layouts, and zero learning curve.

Solution Development

• Info architecture: Reorganized content for lightning-fast access.

• Wireframes & prototypes: Multiple iterations—focused on simplifying menus and surfacing key actions.

• Visual design: Clean, professional palette with bold icons and plenty of whitespace.

Testing

• Usability testing: Ran sessions with actual Matheson clients and staff.

• User feedback: Prioritized tweaks to navigation and improved icon clarity.

• Iterations: Polished visual details and adjusted layouts for thumb-friendly use.

Implementation

• Handoff: Shared annotated wireframes and mockups with dev team.

• Dev collab: Regular check-ins to ensure design integrity and smooth iOS integration.

• Go-to-market: Quiet roll-out to core clients, then broader launch after initial feedback.

Results & Impact

• Metrics: Faster task completion, higher app engagement, fewer support queries.

• User adoption: Positive feedback from both clients and Matheson staff.

• Business impact: Reinforced Matheson’s reputation as a tech-forward legal partner.

• Lessons: For legal apps, clarity and speed trump fancy features every time.