STORM
Delivering the next generation of ABIS
STORM
Refresh of the STORM interface and implement new user flows
IDEMIA
UX & UI Design
2023-Present
Client:
Role:
Year:
NDA
Due to a non-disclosure agreement, I am unable to share specific details about my process for this project, as development is ongoing. However, I’m eager to discuss my approach, insights, and the overall impact of this work in an interview setting. I look forward to sharing how I contributed to enhancing the user experience while respecting the project’s confidentiality.
Background
IDEMIA STORM ABIS® (Automated Biometric Identification System) is a cutting-edge biometric solution developed by IDEMIA for law enforcement and government agencies, enabling swift and accurate identification through fingerprints, facial recognition, and other unique identifiers. Known for its high performance and ability to handle vast biometric databases, STORM ABIS® supports efficient case management and offers advanced search algorithms to boost identification accuracy and speed. With a user-friendly interface, strong data security features, and adaptability to various operational environments, STORM ABIS® streamlines identity verification in critical scenarios, making it a powerful tool for public safety. This project allowed me to improve its UI/UX by refining user flows, enhancing component consistency, and strengthening system efficiency for a more reliable and user-centric experience.
Challenge
The primary challenge for the IDEMIA STORM ABIS® project was to modernize and streamline the platform without disrupting existing workflows, ensuring a smooth transition for long-time users. A key objective was to design an intuitive interface that would allow experienced users to navigate the new generation of STORM without additional training, maintaining familiarity while introducing a modernized look and feel. Another challenge was implementing new components that not only align with IDEMIA’s brand standards but also elevate the overall user experience, creating a cohesive, user-friendly platform that upholds IDEMIA’s reputation for reliability and innovation.
Goal
My goal for the IDEMIA STORM ABIS® project is to create the next generation of biometric identification solutions by modernizing and simplifying its processes for end-users. As STORM encompasses a wide array of components under a single platform, our objective is to unify these elements into a seamless, cohesive experience that makes fingerprinting, biometric reading, and identification more intuitive and efficient. By streamlining the user interface and integrating advanced technologies, we aim to enhance accessibility and usability, empowering users to achieve faster, more accurate results with ease.
My Impact
My impact on the IDEMIA STORM ABIS® project involved simplifying user flows to reduce steps and eliminate guesswork, making it easier for users to achieve their goals quickly and intuitively. I fine-tuned the platform’s dark mode to align seamlessly with the IDEMIA design system that my team and I implemented this year, ensuring a cohesive look and consistent branding across all IDEMIA products. By optimizing these elements, I helped create a more efficient, user-friendly experience that empowers users to work confidently and comfortably within the platform’s new generation interface.
The Process
Ideation and Iteration
In the ideation and iteration phase for IDEMIA STORM ABIS®, my coworker and I began by meticulously examining each user flow of the previously developed platform, focusing on how users navigate through tasks related to fingerprint matching and biometric identification. Our goal was to deeply understand existing workflows without disrupting familiar processes, so we analyzed each step to identify areas where simplification and enhancement were possible.
We decided that the most effective approach was to establish the visual styling foundation first, identifying the components and color palette that would define the updated platform. Sticking with MUI components, we aligned our design with IDEMIA’s brand colors, including shades of purple and dark grays, with subtle purple tints for paper elements to maintain a cohesive look. From there, we began building custom components tailored to the platform’s needs, ensuring they met both functional requirements and the aesthetic standards set by IDEMIA’s design system. This early focus on styling allowed us to maintain consistency across all elements as we progressed with development, streamlining the design and iteration process.
Keeping it Simple
To keep the process efficient and avoid reinventing the wheel, we relied on MUI components customized with the IDEMIA color palette. This approach allowed us to stay consistent with branding while focusing on functionality. Given STORM's complexity, however, we needed to build additional custom components to accommodate the unique requirements of each screen. This balance between leveraging MUI and creating tailored components enabled us to streamline the user experience while effectively addressing the platform's intricate needs.
Whats Next
Our next steps involved designing the flows for the admin settings pages. We began by analyzing the backend and the various settings options available for users conducting fingerprint scans. This deep dive allowed us to understand the specific choices and configurations users need to make, guiding us in creating intuitive, efficient flows for these settings. By simplifying the navigation and structuring the options logically, we ensured that users could easily access and adjust settings, improving their overall experience and enabling smoother fingerprint scanning operations.
Even with limited testing we prevailed
User testing was limited, but we included three latent experts in our sprint meetings to ensure we fully understood the platform’s functionality. Our first expert had over four years of experience with the platform, providing us with a seasoned user perspective. The second expert, based in Australia, trains new users on best practices, bringing valuable insights into onboarding challenges. Our third expert from France offered feedback based on meetings with users across Europe. Through their feedback, we identified a need for more visual indicators to streamline workflows. To address this, my teammate and I implemented additional hand and finger visuals and enlarged the fingerprint viewing screen, enhancing visibility and enabling users to work with greater precision and efficiency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the design process for IDEMIA STORM ABIS® is ongoing as we work to bring the new generation of this powerful platform to life. Given STORM’s size and complexity, our team has spent the past year refining each component, and I anticipate the project will continue for another year as we strive for perfection. This has been one of the most rewarding projects I've worked on, offering invaluable insights into how an intricate platform can evolve into a top-tier tool for law enforcement.
During validation, the impact of STORM ABIS® was clear: three examiners performed 99 latent print searches, achieving 100% successful matches with expected candidates. Auto-Encoding alone yielded hits for 87% of these searches, underscoring STORM's efficiency. Year-over-year, ABIS searches rose by 26%, enabling examiners to work directly from their desks or remotely, reducing the need for file transfers. This improvement led to a 16% increase in completed cases, even with the same number of examiners. The result is a more efficient, accessible, and reliable tool that will continue to advance biometric identification for years to come.