Arkware

Arkware’s consultative services and team of certified Access developers are dedicated to aligning with business strategies while prioritizing the enhancement of the end-user experience.

Objective

Arkware, a leading provider of Microsoft Access database solutions, partnered with me and my colleague to modernize their public-facing website and improve the usability of their internal database management interface. With a strong commitment to aligning technology with business strategy, Arkware sought to elevate the user experience across both platforms, ensuring consistency, clarity, and efficiency for their clients and internal teams.

The project focused on two primary goals:

  1. Modernize Arkware’s Brand and Online Presence
    Update the website’s design, architecture, and content to reflect a more modern, professional identity and improve user engagement.

  2. Enhance the Microsoft Access Database Interface
    Streamline complex workflows, resolve usability pain points, and create a more intuitive experience for end users while maintaining brand consistency.

Our overarching aim was to simplify user interactions, reduce friction in daily tasks, and deliver a unified, branded experience that reinforced Arkware’s reputation for excellence.

Users:

  • Microsoft Access Users

Tools:

  • draw.io

  • Figma

  • Google Workspace

  • Microsoft Teams

  • Photoshop

Process & Methodology:

  • Stakeholder Interview

  • Fly-on-Wall Observation

  • Prototyping

Deliverables:

  • Redesigned Interface

  • Component Library

  • Design Documentation

  • Recommendations Report

Process and Methodology

Website Redesign

While Noelle led the visual design of the new website, I conducted a comprehensive content audit and proposed a more streamlined site architecture. This included:

  • Reorganizing navigation to prioritize high-impact content

  • Reducing redundancy across pages

  • Rewriting copy to align with Arkware’s updated brand voice

These changes ensured that users could quickly find relevant information while reinforcing trust and credibility.

Microsoft Access Interface Redesign

To address the complexity of Arkware’s internal software, we followed a multi-phase, user-centered design approach:

  1. Stakeholder Interviews
    We conducted in-depth interviews with key personnel to surface business goals and identify common user frustrations. Users cited difficulty in navigating the system, understanding advanced features, and handling errors consistently.

  2. Observational Research
    Through fly-on-the-wall observation sessions, we watched real users interact with the existing interface. We noted issues such as inconsistent UI patterns, cluttered navigation, and lack of contextual help, all of which contributed to inefficiency and user frustration.

  3. Prototyping and Iteration
    Using Figma, we developed high-fidelity prototypes that included:

    • A restructured navigation system with intuitive categories

    • Streamlined workflows for common tasks like querying and reporting

    • A customizable dashboard to accommodate different user roles and needs

Each prototype was refined through user feedback to ensure alignment with both technical requirements and user expectations.

Site Map

Fly-on-the-wall Observation

Results

By embedding UX best practices into both the website and the Access interface, we helped Arkware:

  • Improve site usability and reduce content friction

  • Enhance the clarity and efficiency of key database operations

  • Achieve a more cohesive brand presence across platforms

  • Resolve long-standing usability issues while introducing value-added features

In Conclusion

This project underscores the impact of user-centered design in both web and software environments. By integrating research-driven insights with thoughtful interface design, we helped Arkware deliver a seamless experience for its users, whether they were browsing the site or managing complex data within Microsoft Access. The result is a more intuitive, efficient, and brand-aligned product ecosystem that supports Arkware’s business goals and client satisfaction.