Streamlining Search and Setup: A MessageDesk Makeover

Mission
MessageDesk needed better search and onboarding. We created intuitive search tools and an engaging welcome experience to help users find information and learn the platform faster.
Outcome
We enhanced the search experience with a prominent search bar, smart suggestions, and multi-element search capabilities. Our gamified onboarding uses animated buttons to make learning feel rewarding.
Impact
Our user research and prototyping approach created solutions that work in the real world. By balancing user needs with technical constraints, we delivered an experience that truly serves MessageDesk's users.
Enhanced Search and Onboarding for MessageDesk
MessageDesk, a leading business text messaging platform, sought to improve user experience (UX) within its app, particularly around search functionality and the onboarding process for new users. We partnered with MessageDesk to deliver innovative solutions that would streamline workflows and boost user engagement.
We got a 6x increase in efficiency - and we experienced that level of time savings across all our concurrent projects. It wasn't just one project that went smoothly; we could run faster as an entire organization.
Understanding the Challenge
Users struggled with MessageDesk's search function, making it hard to find what they needed. The onboarding process also fell short, failing to showcase platform features effectively. We spotted two clear needs: simpler search tools and an engaging introduction that gets users started quickly.
A Collaborative Design Process
Building on MessageDesk's initial research, we mapped detailed user journeys - from finding contacts to filtering conversations. This deep understanding shaped our search solutions.
We prototyped each search flow for testing, refining designs based on user feedback. Material Design's familiar patterns helped us create an interface that feels natural while speeding up development.
Leveraging Design Systems and Efficiency
Recognizing the importance of development feasibility, we strategically leveraged Material Design, a popular design system. This efficient approach provided a strong foundation for the design solutions while aligning with MessageDesk's development resources.
Intuitive Search Function
The redesigned search functionality ensured a familiar and intuitive user experience. A prominently placed search bar encouraged users to actively utilize the search function. Predictive search suggestions were also a potential feature, aiding users in refining their searches as they typed.

We proposed features like the ability to search across various message elements and filter results by specific criteria. This comprehensive search experience empowered users to quickly find the information they needed within the platform.
Gamified Onboarding with Animated Progress Indicators
We designed a gamified onboarding to make setup engaging and simple. Subtle animations on key buttons provided instant feedback as users completed tasks like adding a phone number or inviting teammates. This guided users smoothly through the process, boosting motivation and creating a sense of progress.

A Look Towards the Future
MessageDesk is still developing these features, but our design solutions show strong potential to enhance user experience. The updated search boosts efficiency and cuts down user frustration, while the gamified onboarding aims to increase engagement and satisfaction.
A User-Centered Approach
Our process for MessageDesk highlights our commitment to user-first design. By focusing on information architecture, user research, and prototyping, we tailored solutions to fit the users’ needs. Using established design systems, we delivered efficient and effective results, even within project constraints.
MessageDesk was great to collaborate with! Their vision for the project was crystal clear, but they were also incredibly open to our suggestions. This back-and-forth made the design process super engaging, and ultimately led to features that perfectly hit the mark for their goals.


