VOLUME LEADERS
For the Volume Leaders project, my job was to take a dashboard that felt more like a spreadsheet and transform it into a clean, intuitive experience that traders could rely on. I designed every component from the ground up – buttons, cards, tables, and navigation – making sure each piece fit into a cohesive design system. To keep things organized for the developers, I used a micro-organisms approach, breaking down complex elements into smaller, reusable parts. This made it easier for the dev team to work with my files and ensured a smoother handoff. The goal was to create a dashboard that wasn’t just functional but also enjoyable to use, making sense of dense financial data at a glance.
client
role
time line
in development
The Ask
Volume Leaders approached me with a straightforward but challenging goal – transform their data-heavy dashboard into an intuitive, visually appealing, and user-friendly experience. The original dashboard, built primarily by a backend developer, relied almost entirely on dense tables, making it overwhelming for users with varying levels of trading experience.
The navigation was confusing, reflecting the developer’s deep familiarity with trading, but lacking consideration for users who might be less technical or new to the platform. Without visual aids to highlight trends or opportunities, the interface felt more like a spreadsheet than a modern trading tool. My task was to rethink the entire experience, streamlining the design and structure to create a dashboard that empowers traders, regardless of their experience level.
The Design
For the Volume Leaders project, design wasn’t just about making things look polished – it was about creating a dashboard that feels intuitive, efficient, and approachable, even for those who might be newer to trading. I started by digging into the user experience, mapping out the typical journeys traders might take as they explore market data, track trades, and analyze clusters. I wanted to break away from the dense, table-heavy layout of the original design and create something that felt lighter, more visual, and easier to navigate.
Ideation was a critical part of this process. I sketched out different approaches, considering how to organize complex financial data in a way that made sense to both experienced traders and those still learning the ropes. This meant creating user flows that simplified the steps required to find key insights, reducing cognitive load, and adding intuitive touch-points throughout the interface.
As the design took shape, I moved into wire-framing and prototyping, layering in visual hierarchy and thoughtful interactions to guide users through the platform. Every color choice, component, and layout decision was made with the goal of transforming a data-dense experience into something clear, efficient, and even enjoyable to use.
the development
For the Volume Leaders project, my role extended beyond design into the nuts and bolts of front-end preparation. I created a comprehensive design system, building every component, variable, and style guide needed to ensure consistency and scalability. Using a micro-organisms approach, I broke down each element – from buttons and cards to complex data tables – into clearly defined, reusable components. This approach not only streamlined the design-to-development handoff but also made the files more intuitive for developers, reducing friction and minimizing back-and-forth. By establishing a strong foundation with thoughtful documentation and well-organized layers, I aimed to make ongoing updates and future iterations as seamless as possible.
the takeaway
This project reminded me just how critical it is to see a design from the user’s perspective, not just through the lens of a developer or data expert. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical side, but at the end of the day, if the interface isn’t intuitive, it doesn’t matter how powerful the backend is. Working on this dashboard reinforced the importance of thoughtful design systems and clear communication, not just for the end user, but for the developers who bring the design to life.
