Polaris

Adventure, Innovated with Precision

Details

Prolink, NAPA's premier auto parts replenishment platform, streamlines inventory management, ordering, and shipment tracking for businesses nationwide. Its advanced features ensure efficiency, minimize downtime, and make it a trusted industry resource.

Prolink, NAPA's premier auto parts replenishment platform, streamlines inventory management, ordering, and shipment tracking for businesses nationwide. Its advanced features ensure efficiency, minimize downtime, and make it a trusted industry resource.

Prolink, NAPA's premier auto parts replenishment platform, streamlines inventory management, ordering, and shipment tracking for businesses nationwide. Its advanced features ensure efficiency, minimize downtime, and make it a trusted industry resource.

As a Senior Product Designer on the Digital Experience team, I played a key role in the Polaris digital revamp, aimed at enhancing the user experience and redesigning the brand's digital presence.

As a Senior Product Designer on the Digital Experience team, I played a key role in the Polaris digital revamp, aimed at enhancing the user experience and redesigning the brand's digital presence.

As a Senior Product Designer on the Digital Experience team, I played a key role in the Polaris digital revamp, aimed at enhancing the user experience and redesigning the brand's digital presence.

Skills

Product design

User research & testing

Stakeholder management

Year

Q1 2021 - Q2 2021

The Problem

With each product launch, the platform evolved to meet the growing user base's needs for clarity and accessibility. Clear communication and ample resources became essential for improving user understanding and creating an engaging experience, enabling all users to navigate easily and make informed decisions.

As the platform grew, finding the right products for specific needs became challenging, especially for newcomers.

The Problem

With each product launch, the platform evolved to meet the growing user base's needs for clarity and accessibility. Clear communication and ample resources became essential for improving user understanding and creating an engaging experience, enabling all users to navigate easily and make informed decisions.

As the platform grew, finding the right products for specific needs became challenging, especially for newcomers.

Early Insights from the Field

Before diving into the redesign, gaining deeper insight into the brand’s dedicated users—and their feedback on the experience of exploring the vehicle lineup—was essential to understanding satisfaction levels and areas for improvement.

Kayla's Story

Software Engineer | Denver, CO

"My first ride was an exhilarating experience that left me excited and eager for more adventures. Now, I’m ready to find the perfect beginner."

Kayla's Story

Software Engineer | Denver, CO

"My first ride was an exhilarating experience that left me excited and eager for more adventures. Now, I’m ready to find the perfect beginner."

Kayla's Story

Software Engineer | Denver, CO

"My first ride was an exhilarating experience that left me excited and eager for more adventures. Now, I’m ready to find the perfect beginner."

Joe's Story

Farmer | Des Moines, IA

"I need a reliable, durable ATV that can handle the demands of daily farm life, while also providing a cozy ride for leisure."

Joe's Story

Farmer | Des Moines, IA

"I need a reliable, durable ATV that can handle the demands of daily farm life, while also providing a cozy ride for leisure."

Joe's Story

Farmer | Des Moines, IA

"I need a reliable, durable ATV that can handle the demands of daily farm life, while also providing a cozy ride for leisure."

The ASPD's Story

Police Force | Montana

In challenging terrains, ATVs are essential for a well-equipped police force, aiding in rescue missions, off-road patrolling, and more."

The ASPD's Story

Police Force | Montana

In challenging terrains, ATVs are essential for a well-equipped police force, aiding in rescue missions, off-road patrolling, and more."

The ASPD's Story

Police Force | Montana

In challenging terrains, ATVs are essential for a well-equipped police force, aiding in rescue missions, off-road patrolling, and more."

The Discovery

I recognized that our customers spanned from beginners to seasoned experts across diverse professional backgrounds. Many users still seemed a bit unsure of which path to take when it came to purchasing a vehicle for their specific needs.

Our goal was to empower users with confidence in their vehicle choices by providing comprehensive, accessible product insights. Additionally, we tested user response to a new hero header highlighting individual products.

"…How can we help users understand each product to make informed purchase decisions?"

Assumption

Engaging education boosts customer
confidence in choosing the right vehicle.

Initial Research

Hero Header Update

The team initially tested a new hero header featuring an action shot of the vehicle, giving users a first-class glimpse of it's performance.

Deeper Insights

To gain further insights, we tested eight participants with diverse characteristics, such as experience level, occupation, and industry. Our goal was to identify the unique challenges each user faced in finding the right vehicle for their needs.

The findings were expected—most users desired interactivity and product education before starting their purchase journey. Although many recognized Polaris from media, they were keen to learn how the vehicles could fit into their daily lives.

We provided tools for exploring vehicle brands, added 3D models for detailed views, and expanded the "Build" feature for real-time customization.

Solution

We equipped users with tools to explore each vehicle brand thoroughly, enabling informed decisions. To enhance interactivity, we introduced 3D models for comprehensive views and expanded the "Build" feature for real-time customization.

Interactive modules showcase vehicle features

Videos and articles offer in-depth information

Hero images and vehicle shots showcasing ATVs for all experience levels.

Search features help users quickly find the right vehicle

Comprehensive vehicle guides

Hero header feature

The hero header features a dynamic action shot of the vehicle in motion, showcasing its sleek design and powerful performance. This striking visual immerses users in the experience, igniting excitement and curiosity while encouraging them to explore further.

Comprehensive vehicle guides

Step by Step User Guides

Each vehicle type comes with a collection of engaging articles that delve into essential features, must-have accessories, and diverse applications—from thrilling recreational outings to practical, work-related tasks. These insights help users uncover everything they need to know to get the most out of each vehicle.

App screenshot
App screenshot
App screenshot

Browse by category section for articles

The article category section lets users filter content by topics like recreational activities and riding tips for a personalized experience.

Date & topic-based article filter

Filter articles by date and engaging topics like fishing, recreation, and hunting.

3D models and rollovers improve the "Build" tool.

App screenshot
App screenshot
App screenshot

Interactive models for vehicle showcases

The interactive modules let users view the vehicle from all angles and learn about the base model specs.

App screenshot
App screenshot
App screenshot

Showcasing user-beneficial key features

Key features highlight the essential aspects included with each vehicle and their importance.

Vehicles filtering system

The comprehensive filtering system helps users, from beginners to experts, quickly find their ideal ATV by narrowing options based on performance, terrain, and features. This intuitive tool enables confident ATV selection suited to individual needs and lifestyles.

App screenshot
App screenshot
App screenshot

Final Results & Impact

Better-informed customers

Following the launch of the new solutions, customers reported a significant increase in their ability to learn about products specifically tailored to meet their individual needs.

This enhanced understanding improved their experience and deepened brand engagement, empowering them to make informed choices aligned with their preferences.

Business Impact

20%

Increase in user retention

User retention surged after updates improved the site's seamless, engaging, and personalized experience.


25%

User satisfaction and product learning increased

User satisfaction increased, along with greater confidence in product knowledge.

Self-Reflection & Learnings

Collaboration & Communication

During the digital revamp, I discovered how vital clear communication and collaboration with both team members and stakeholders are to a project’s success. Consistent coordination with developers also proved essential for efficiently implementing new designs.



Value of Iterations

The process emphasized an iterative approach and constant testing. I learned to continually test my design rationale, clarify my approach, and keep user feedback at the forefront throughout the design cycle.

Credits

Creative Direction

Dave Johannson
Maya Lunda

Motion Design

James Weider

Design

Mike Smith