Spectrm sells chatbots for different channels (Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp) to major enterprise companies.

I joined Spectrm in the middle of a lengthy technical migration. The product was in a half-assembled state, and a group of developers without a design was sweating over it. On top of that came a redesign based on unfinished layouts in Figma.

My job was to get on board quickly and cover the empty Product Design function.

For the first half year, it was challenging to finish someone else’s puzzle without a final picture.

We worked on it in a small product team. The task was to finish the migration as quickly as possible so that the updated product could benefit the customers.

This is what had to be designed and prepared for development:

• Conversation creation flow
• Top bar and zoom in the Creator
• Conversation analytics and Goals
• Scroll behavior
• Table component
• Connections in conversation flow
• WhatsApp templates
• Unmatched messages Inbox
• Other overview pages

Here is the version for the January 2022

And so the Alpha was ready. We briskly grabbed the prototype and started collecting initial feedback from customers and colleagues.

Next, in parallel with adding new functionality, the company challenged us to make the product more attractive and modern.

We started preparing the second big release.

We had to revise or create from scratch:

• Messaging channel restrictions
• Quick add message parts
• Update UI
• Actions
• Navigation
• Re-engagement
• Import audience
• Home screen
• Message templates
• AI features
• Audience and Segmentation
• Conditions in User intents

And finally the company was able to invest in design a little bit.

We talked about the requirements of the position and the composition of the work in the beginning. I drafted a job description, developed a test case, and we started to sift through resumes, look at portfolios, interview, check test cases, and interview again. It took a lot of time and effort, but in the end we hired a great candidate — Andi.

We organized frequent calls together and worked out a protocol for working together. After only a month or two, Andi started to show great designs. And after 3 months we worked out a plan for his individual growth as a designer.

A little bit before that, we also hired two more designers, a communication designer and two chatbot designers for the customer success team.

As a result, we made the visual style of the product more modern, rethought some of the functionality and strengthened the role of design in the company. The first tests and impressions were positive. Plus, the work has helped the marketing, sales and support teams a lot in their work.