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Redesigning the Newfront SaaS Insurance Dashboard for Better User Experience
Redesigning the Newfront SaaS Insurance Dashboard for Better User Experience
Redesigning the Newfront SaaS Insurance Dashboard for Better User Experience
A comprehensive dashboard redesign for Y Combinator's modern insurance brokerage, transforming their overview screen into an efficient command center that reduces cognitive load.
Newfront
Modern insurance brokerage.
YC Batch
YC Batch
Winter 2018
Industry
Industry
Insurance
Challenge
The original overview interface presented information density challenges that could impact user decision-making. With a sidebar consuming excessive viewport space and resource sections lacking scalability for growing teams, users faced cognitive overload when processing critical insurance data. Research shows 42% of customers don't fully trust their insurer, making clear information architecture essential. The donut chart visualization created interpretation difficulties, while team sections consumed disproportionate screen real estate. These design patterns violated key principles like Miller's Law (users can only process 7±2 items effectively) and increased decision fatigue for insurance professionals managing complex portfolios.
Challenge
The original overview interface presented information density challenges that could impact user decision-making. With a sidebar consuming excessive viewport space and resource sections lacking scalability for growing teams, users faced cognitive overload when processing critical insurance data. Research shows 42% of customers don't fully trust their insurer, making clear information architecture essential. The donut chart visualization created interpretation difficulties, while team sections consumed disproportionate screen real estate. These design patterns violated key principles like Miller's Law (users can only process 7±2 items effectively) and increased decision fatigue for insurance professionals managing complex portfolios.
Our Approach
SaasfFactory applied evidence-based design principles to improve SaaS dashboard UX for conversions, focusing on Progressive Disclosure and Visual Hierarchy optimization. We leveraged Fitts's Law by repositioning critical elements for better accessibility, while implementing Chunking principles to group related information logically. The redesign reduced cognitive load through strategic use of white space and improved information scannability. Our process integrated Tesler's Law considerations, ensuring complexity reduction didn't transfer burden to users. We applied the Aesthetic-Usability Effect, creating visual appeal that enhances perceived functionality. The approach emphasized Goal Gradient Effect principles, making task completion paths more intuitive for insurance professionals managing client portfolios and reducing user dropoff on SaaS setup screens.
Our Approach
SaasfFactory applied evidence-based design principles to improve SaaS dashboard UX for conversions, focusing on Progressive Disclosure and Visual Hierarchy optimization. We leveraged Fitts's Law by repositioning critical elements for better accessibility, while implementing Chunking principles to group related information logically. The redesign reduced cognitive load through strategic use of white space and improved information scannability. Our process integrated Tesler's Law considerations, ensuring complexity reduction didn't transfer burden to users. We applied the Aesthetic-Usability Effect, creating visual appeal that enhances perceived functionality. The approach emphasized Goal Gradient Effect principles, making task completion paths more intuitive for insurance professionals managing client portfolios and reducing user dropoff on SaaS setup screens.
Outcomes
The redesigned interface delivers enhanced information processing efficiency through optimized space utilization and improved visual communication. Users now experience reduced cognitive fatigue when analyzing insurance data, with scalable resource sections supporting unlimited growth. The bar chart implementation provides clearer proportion understanding compared to the original donut visualization. Compact team displays preserve screen real estate while maintaining functionality, and strategic task prioritization through the "Things to Do" section enables better workflow management. These improvements align with industry best practices for micro-interactions on SaaS screen design, creating an interface that reduces mental effort while maintaining comprehensive functionality essential for modern insurance brokerage operations.
Outcomes
The redesigned interface delivers enhanced information processing efficiency through optimized space utilization and improved visual communication. Users now experience reduced cognitive fatigue when analyzing insurance data, with scalable resource sections supporting unlimited growth. The bar chart implementation provides clearer proportion understanding compared to the original donut visualization. Compact team displays preserve screen real estate while maintaining functionality, and strategic task prioritization through the "Things to Do" section enables better workflow management. These improvements align with industry best practices for micro-interactions on SaaS screen design, creating an interface that reduces mental effort while maintaining comprehensive functionality essential for modern insurance brokerage operations.
BEFORE | AFTER | WHY |
|---|---|---|
Oversized sidebar consuming excessive viewport space | Optimized, compact navigation panel | Applied Fitts's Law - maintains accessibility while maximizing content area for critical insurance data |
Mixed task types without clear prioritization | Dedicated "Things to Do" section with immediate attention items | Leveraged Progressive Disclosure - users see urgent tasks first, reducing decision fatigue |
Fixed grid limiting to 6 resources maximum | Scalable list with hyperlink indicators | Implemented Chunking principles - unlimited scalability with clear visual organization |
Donut chart requiring mental calculation | Clear bar chart with proportional legends | Applied Law of Prägnanz - users interpret proportional data more simply and accurately |
Large team cards consuming valuable screen space | Compact team display with overflow handling | Utilized Visual Hierarchy - maintains team visibility while preserving space for critical data |
Basic unpaid invoices list with minimal styling | Enhanced invoice section with improved visual design | Applied Aesthetic-Usability Effect - better visual appeal increases perceived functionality and trust |
BEFORE |
|---|
Oversized sidebar consuming excessive viewport space |
Mixed task types without clear prioritization |
Fixed grid limiting to 6 resources maximum |
Donut chart requiring mental calculation |
Large team cards consuming valuable screen space |
Basic unpaid invoices list with minimal styling |
BEFORE |
|---|
Oversized sidebar consuming excessive viewport space |
Mixed task types without clear prioritization |
Fixed grid limiting to 6 resources maximum |
Donut chart requiring mental calculation |
Large team cards consuming valuable screen space |
Basic unpaid invoices list with minimal styling |
