creating user experience flow by design
Gaetan Cotton
User Experience Design portfolio 2016-17
Click here for my new Service Design portfolio 2018
Critical and reflective digital explorer, avid learner, I am agile at balancing customer needs and business goals through functional and engaging design solutions to deliver a meaningful outcome to engage and delight users.
Together we can improve user flow and create value for your business.


O2 Telefónica’s World Chat app enables users to make cheap and reliable international calls from the UK without relying on internet connectivity. The telecoms giant offered us an opportunity to redesign the app in order to optimise conversion and retention.
During a 2 weeks sprint working in a two person team, it was discovered through contextual enquiry and testing that the app's USP could be leveraged to address user needs in a ways quite different to O2's expectations of their product.
challenge
Our users need a way to navigate through the application, but we believe the existing structure could be made clearer and more functional.
problem
How might we inform the user of the time left on a call and remaining credit so he can confidently enjoy a family moment without interruption?
solution
With a redesigned information architecture structure and navigation, the new option of micro top-up gives the user peace of mind while on a call.
key project takeaways
- The user research revealed pain points in the current app payment option scale and remaining call time.
- The context of use revealed the need for a central hub giving quick access to favourite numbers, credit level and top-up.
- The App content architecture was prioritised with the creation of Home to facilitate the user activities.



SuperCarers mobile web app project

Finding quality home care for our loved ones can be very difficult and costly at a time of need. This personal experience prompted the Pike brothers to launch the SuperCarers startup: to connect the care seekers with the care givers.
During a 2 weeks sprint, Angela, Matt and I worked together to address the brief and offer SuperCarers a user-centred design solution.
challenge
SuperCarers have identified an opportunity in the downtime between on-boarding and communicating the care team package to the users.

problem
How might we make use of the downtime to keep the user engaged?
solution
There is a virtual bridge between the brochure site where the on-boarding takes place and the web app where the user manages the care team.
outcome
The care seeker feels informed, engaged and supported through the process.
key project takeaways
- Understanding the user requires walking in their -sometimes uncomfortable- shoes, analysing the tasks at hand and observing where the stumbling blocks might be hidden.
- Keeping the pace of design iteration and testing requires a lot of planning.
- My service design background helped frame our solution in the big picture of all the user touch points with SuperCarers.
my role
With 2 visual designers on the team, it felt natural for me to look after the planning, feedback analyses and user-testing when Angela and Matt concentrated on the Sketch low to high-fidelity prototypes.
case study & spec document
Click the link below to read the full length -draft- case study.
The spec document with annotated screens and recommendations is available on request.


Airline "Geotainment" project

One of the project for the General Assembly User Experience Design Immersive course was a group project shared with fellow students Anthea Jackson and Jussi Brightmore. Our hypothetical client was KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, flag carrier airline for the Netherlands. Founded in 1919 it’s the longest running airline in the world still operating under its original name.
client's brief
To develop an app for a fictional airline that would incorporate most inflight services and offer guidance as to which service(s) would benefit from being made digital.
problem
How might we reassure and help the traveller position themselves geographically and temporarily?
solution
Build an interactive map to orient in space and time, plan the flight experience and invite exploration of points of interest.
outcome
The user feels oriented and explores the destination information, discovering local activities, arts and food.
key takeaways
- Team collaboration and friendly friction: when teams are created at random, there may be times of friendly difference of opinions that are best channeled into creative sparks.
- Travel industry background and personal experience: during this 2 weeks sprint, I had the chance to reconnect with my Destination Manager circle of friends and reflect on the travel industry use of technology.
- UX and Service Design: further study and analyses of all the touchpoints used by the airline traveller would likely yield more insights and drive further design solutions.

Teresa Lorente, psychology and Gestalt therapy
How might we find the correct balance of information and functionality to gain the trust of potential clients for such a personal service as mental health?
Teresa, a Spanish Psychologist, approached me with -what she perceived- a straightforward task: reach the top of Google search result for "psicologo espanol en londres". (without spending a penny, we're reaching page 2 already)
elusive users
The confidentiality of existing clients and the potential insights of prospective users in need of therapy limited the user research at the formative stage of the project.
The lack of time and budget reduced the volume of user testing possible before launching the site.
appointment booking
Another challenge was to provide Teresa with an online booking system that would integrate with the WordPress engine.
new iteration
After relocating to Spain, Teresa is now reviewing the site content and preparing for a new version.