Rule Builder

role: lead user experience designer

The Challenge

To create a scalable interface, where clients could create both simple and complex rules for their campaigns, which they could use to measure campaign performance and success. An example for a Starbucks campaign would be for the user to purchase multiple products and receive a star upon doing so. 

Process 

I began by investigating what currently exists in terms of query and rule builders. I found that the majority are confusing - primarily focused on being flexible to allow for any type of complex rule to be built. They did not guide or assist the user, and were often intimidating and unfriendly.

I wanted to create a tool that would allow a user to create a complex rule using and/or logic, but would also be relatively intuitive and guide the user through the process.  

First Iteration

The first iteration used and/or logic to connect rules, with the strategic use of bright colored buttons to try and keep things clear and understandable for the user.

The sidebar on the right would have a read out of the rule that is being built, but in an easily digestible sentence form, so that the user could double check and ensure that what they were building was correct. 

After collecting more research, and testing the first iteration, I found that there was still a lot that could be improved, primarily in making the experience more pleasant for the user. Through my research I also found that the use of “And” and “Or” could confuse users, and boolean logic is not necessarily the way that most users brains work to build and understand rules. 

Final Mockups

I decided to move away from using the and/or buttons, and to have the user nest rules when they wanted to make them more complex. 

One element that I felt was crucial to focus on was the onboarding/initial experience. I wanted to guide the user through the experience so they would feel comfortable and have a clear understanding of how they could create rules. I included bright pop ups pointing to key steps to help clear up any potential confusion.