IstoVisio (syGlass) | B2B

Reimagined VR Menu for Global Scientific Discovery

At IstoVisio Inc., I led the end-to-end UX redesign of syGlass, a VR platform that empowers scientists to explore complex 3D data beyond the limits of traditional 2D visualization.

Trusted by research communities across the US and Europe and frequently cited in top-tier publications, syGlass experienced a 23% user growth from 2022 to 2023. Over 10 months, a complete UX overhaul drove an 80% increase in customer satisfaction and successfully won back 10% of former users after the launch.

MY ROLE

Lead UX/Product Designer (Research, UX, UI)

THE TEAM

Lead Engineer, Engineer, UX Consultant

STATUS

Launched: May 2024

TIMELINE

August 2023 - April 2024

Users found the current menu confusing and hard to use. It was difficult to find key features, leading to frustration and frequent support requests.

Problem

Business Goal

Enhance User Satisfaction: Deliver a seamless, intuitive navigation experience that reduces friction and boosts overall UX scores.

OLD vs NEW DESIGN

What is syGlass Software?

With syGlass, scientists and healthcare professionals don’t just view data - they step into it. This VR platform brings 3D datasets to life, enabling a more intuitive and thorough analysis than traditional 2D tools.

Who are syGlass users?

Scietists

Researchers in fields like neuroscience and cell biology use syGlass to explore and analyze large-scale 3D and 4D microscopy datasets. They rely on precise, interactive visualization tools to uncover patterns and insights critical to their work.

Healthcare professionals

Imaging specialists who use syGlass for advanced anatomical visualization. They value intuitive navigation and high-fidelity rendering to communicate complex medical information effectively.

DISCOVER

When I joined the team, I started by reviewing customer feedback to understand common pain points. To dig deeper into usability issues, I partnered with a UX consultant to conduct 14 in-depth interviews across five countries. Over two months, I uncovered workflow gaps and surfaced critical usability challenges.

Here is what I found:

DEFINE

The current menu system disrupted users' flow, creating friction and slowing them down.

How might we rethink the menu to:

Give users more control by allowing them to customize menu placement.

Make navigation easier so frequently used tools are quick to access.

Improve feature visibility to help users find and use powerful tools.

EXPLORE

Because I wanted to generate actionable design ideas grounded in user needs, I facilitated brainstorming sessions with engineers and a UX consultant. I proposed a two-step approach - first, zooming out to rethink layout and tool selection, then zooming in to fine-tune features and micro-interactions for customization. As a result, we explored a wide range of concepts aligned with both usability and technical feasibility.

Here are some of the ideas we explored:

The challenge was to improve usability without disrupting muscle memory or workflow efficiency. Because syGlass is used for precision-driven tasks, removing complexity wasn’t an option. Instead, we focused on reducing cognitive overload - making interactions more intuitive while maintaining user control.

For tool selection, I focused on solving two main issues: reducing the number of clicks to streamline workflows and ensuring tools stayed active until users chose to switch them.

DESIGN

How Might We Enhance Usability Through Customization?

Pain Point – Fixed menu placement forced rigid interactions, leading to frustration, inefficiency, and physical discomfort.

Solution:

  • Pinned & Movable Menus → Allowed users to position menus for a personalized setup.

  • "Always Visible" Tool Pages → Kept critical tools accessible, improving workflow speed.

By integrating ergonomic best practices with customization, we created a more intuitive, efficient, and comfortable user experience.

How Might We Make Frequently Used Tools Easier to Find Without Disrupting Workflow Efficiency?

Pain Point – Scientists relied on the same two to three tools for most tasks, but the existing menu structure required unnecessary steps, slowing them down.

Solution:

  • Logical Groupings → Organized commonly used tools into an intuitive structure, reducing cognitive load.

  • Optimized Placement → Positioned frequently used tools within easy reach to minimize search time.

  • Quick-Access Menu → Allowed users to pin frequently used tools for one-step activation, eliminating redundant interactions.

By streamlining tool access, we reduced friction, improved efficiency, and helped users stay focused on their tasks.

How Might We Improve Feature Discoverability and Accessibility?

Pain Point – Usability testing showed that many powerful features went unnoticed due to unlabeled icons, making it difficult for users to recognize their purpose.

Solution:

  • Added Clear Labels → Ensured users could quickly identify each tool’s function without guessing.

  • Improved Visual Hierarchy → Made advanced features more visible without overwhelming the interface.

  • Increased Feature Adoption → Made underutilized tools more accessible, encouraging exploration and engagement.

By refining feature presentation, we eliminated ambiguity and empowered users to unlock the platform’s full potential effortlessly.

EVALUATE

To ensure the redesign improved efficiency while maintaining familiarity, I led two rounds of usability testing with 8 participants. Through task-based, think-aloud sessions, I observed how users interacted with the new menu system and gathered real-time feedback on speed, discoverability, and overall usability.

This approach led to measurable improvements:

  • Faster Task Completion
    Clearer structure and visual hierarchy helped users access tools 89% faster, reducing cognitive load and boosting efficiency.

  • Improved Discoverability
    More intuitive labels and organization made previously overlooked features easier to find, resulting in increased engagement.

What Didn’t Work & How I Fixed It

❌ 6 out of 8 users found three pre-assigned tools limiting, as they primarily used two and didn’t want to skip an extra slot. Their third tool changed frequently based on the task.

✅ Updated the prototype to pre-assign two tools, allowing users to dynamically select the third as needed.

🔹 After retesting, 8 out 8 participants adapted seamlessly, confirming a more efficient and flexible workflow.

❌ All 8 users struggled to reopen hidden pages, exposing a critical usability gap.

✅ I introduced subtle animations and a clear indicator bar, inspired by familiar desktop UI patterns, to signal hidden pages.

🔹 All 8 users effortlessly reopened tool pages, confirming the solution was clear, intuitive, and seamlessly integrated into their workflow.

After improving usability and customization, I focused on refining the interface.
I wanted to make it easier to use, faster to navigate, and more modern, without breaking what users were already used to.

Here’s what I changed and what happened as a result:

✅ I cleaned up the layout → This made it easier to scan the menu and find tools quickly.

✅ I improved visual hierarchy → Better spacing and contrast helped users focus on what matters most.

✅ I updated the visual style → Refined typography, icons, and subtle shadows made the interface feel more modern and friendly.

These changes made the UI feel smoother, clearer, and easier to use, without overwhelming experienced users.

Reflection: Redesign Impact

The redesign meaningfully improved usability by addressing core pain points in the legacy interface. With simplified navigation and clearer feature discovery, new users were able to onboard faster, while experienced users uncovered tools they had previously overlooked. These changes not only streamlined workflows but also aligned closely with business goals, enhancing user satisfaction, increasing engagement, and supporting long-term adoption.

Opportunities for Improvement

While the redesign delivered clear improvements, the inherent complexity of scientific software remains a challenge. To further support users, future iterations should focus on strengthening the onboarding experience. Interactive tutorials and real-world use cases could help users gain confidence, accelerate their learning curve, and unlock the platform’s full potential, ultimately driving deeper engagement and sustained product success.

Post-Launch Results: 1 Month In

Survey insights from 32 respondents revealed the impact of the redesign.

10%

Increase in Returning Customers

80%

Increase in User Satisfaction compared with the previous version of the menu.