Case studies
We thrive on delivering innovative outcomes for our clients. Here’s a selection of case studies for some of our favourite projects.
NZ Film
Strategy, IA and interaction design
The New Zealand Film Commission (NZ Film) actively encourages and assists New Zealand filmmakers and distributers to develop, produce, promote and distribute great New Zealand films. NZ Film is a small organisation that knows its customers well – a great base for starting a user-centred design project.
Department of Conservation
Intranet Personas
The Department of Conservation (DOC) promotes and actively manages the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage. As an organisation that delivers services throughout the country, DOC's intranet is a key source of information for staff. Optimal Usability developed a set of personas to help DOC content writers be more in tune with the staff they were writing for.
iSky
Website user testing
Sky TV is synonymous with high-quality. Optimal Usability was asked to test the site with users to ensure that the service that was delivered lived up to this high standard.
Open Polytechnic
Website and enrolment form redesign
Online is a valuable channel for the Open Polytechnic, it is a low cost way to promote the brand and, ultimately, to gain new students. Open Polytechnic were redesigning their website. They wanted to deliver a step-change for students using the site.
RaboDirect
Persona Development
Being an online bank with no physical branches, RaboDirect needed a way to bring their customers closer and make them ‘real’ to their staff. Market research went part of the way, but they felt that there was something missing. What drives our customers? How can we jump into the minds of our customers in a meaningful way?
Metlink
Experience Strategy
Metlink knew they could improve their website, but needed to focus their efforts to provide maximum value to Wellington’s travellers. Their team had more questions than answers; What were the priorities for the website? How could they determine what ideas were best?
Sovereign
Interface design for insurance applications
Sovereign wanted to produce an efficient & effective user interface for Advisors, Insurance Managers, & internal employees to process multi-user and multi-benefit insurance applications. It was determined that a major risk to the project was not having the right interface and as a result Sovereign engaged Optimal to ensure that key user groups, their goals and behavioural traits were inherent in the design of the interface.
Air New Zealand
Usability testing of the skycouch
Utilising a mock Boeing 787 cabin that Air New Zealand had built in a secret location in Auckland (the first outside of Boeing’s facility in Seattle), Optimal Usability worked on creating a realistic shortened flight experience. The realism factor was critical in drawing out true customer behaviours throughout a flight experience.