Cambridge University Press

Changing the world of academic publishing through digital modernisation

Cambridge University Press engaged LION+MASON to research, validate, and design a new concept for academic publishing: a research & collaboration platform for academic researchers.
The platform makes it easy for researchers to share early work and encourages collaboration throughout the research process.

LION+ MASON conducted a full end-to-end product design process, from initial discovery and user research, right through to high-fidelity designs and an atomic design system.

Client: Cambridge University Press
Industries: Education
Duration: 8 weeks
Services: Competitor + Market Analysis; User Research (Academic); Low-fi Wireframes / Prototyping; User Testing; High Fidelity Designs; Design System

User persona for Cambridge University Press research directions — User Persona

Initial Discovery

Full Immersion

We began by conducting stakeholder workshops with the Cambridge internal team to
clarify specific project aims and objectives, and identify their target user base.

We created personas to quickly bring these different users to life and
prioritise them based on their role, career stage, and research needs. This helped Cambridge to identify two primary
user types; ‘Hands On Researchers’ and ‘Research Shapers’.

To complement this ‘internal view’, we carried out secondary research into the wider market for academic research
tools, conducting a detailed competitor analysis of community collaboration
platforms, looking beyond academia to draw inspiration from news & blogging platforms.

User Research

Academic User Research

Cambridge needed to validate the concept idea with working academic researchers involved in writing and publishing their own research. We planned and conducted 25 hours of long form interviews with researchers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering & Medicine) to explore their experience of the current research and publication process and gauge the appetite for a research platform.

Outcomes analysed in 2 ways……

Performed a thematic analysis of the research findings, highlighting key issues and themes.

Created user journeys of the current research & publication process, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement.

User testing findings report screenshot for Cambridge University Press — Screenshot of the research findings report

UX Design

Mapping, Architecture & Prototyping

Designed the information architecture for the new platform, and how it fits into the wider Cambridge digital ecosystem.

Mapped user journeys showing the different ways users can flow through the platform.

Created an interactive prototype to bring the concept to life. The standout feature is a unique ‘network map’ concept, which breaks down the traditional article format into its constituent parts, visualising the story of research from conception to publication.

Axure wireframes screenshot for Cambridge University Press — Numerous interactive wireframes

User Testing

Iterative User Testing

We planned and conducted two rounds of user testing of the platform with academic researchers, including regular cycles of iteration to refine the navigation, labels, copy and UI components.

Close-up view of UX design wireframes for Cambridge University Press — Wireframe of the network map showing connected research (Axure)

UI Design

Pixel Perfect Designs

We incorporated user feedback to create high-fidelity page designs for desktop and mobile.
The designs were delivered in an atomic design system, providing Cambridge with the flexibility to manage the platform in-house, and making it easy to accommodate future changes.

High-fidelity network map designs for Cambridge University Press — Final UI design of the research & collaboration platform