Statestreet - Galaxy UX Studio

The Challenge

The enterprise bank’s trading platform supports institutional investors worldwide and is used daily by professional traders operating in fast-paced, high-risk environments. While functionally robust, the platform had grown increasingly complex over time, resulting in fragmented workflows and reduced usability.

The challenge was to simplify existing user flows, refine platform functionality, and introduce new features—while building a deep understanding of trading terminology, workflows, and stakeholder expectations across multiple global regions.

Key Pain Points

Complex and lengthy trading workflows
Steep learning curve for new users
Inconsistent UI patterns across modules
Cognitive overload due to dense data presentation
Need for better customization and clarity

Research & Discovery

User Values & Intent

Focused on understanding how institutional traders interact with complex trading tools, make time-sensitive decisions, and navigate high-volume data environments.

Trader Interviews:Conducted workflow walkthroughs with active traders

Domain Immersion:Learned trading terminology, processes, and operational needs

Behavior Analysis:Identified inefficiencies in high-frequency trading activities

Experience & Flow Evaluation

Reviewed the existing trading platform to identify usability bottlenecks, navigation friction, and opportunities to improve speed and decision-making.

Journey Analysis:Evaluated trading workflows and task completion paths

Interaction Review:Identified friction between widgets and modules

Usability Assessment:Assessed data presentation, navigation, and workflow efficiency

Key Research Findings

45%

Traders relied on workarounds for common tasks

39%

Experienced friction navigating between widgets

34%

required faster access to critical trading data

Before & After

Before

After

Complex and fragmented trading workflows, Dense data presentation with limited hierarchy, Inconsistent interactions across modules

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Streamlined workflows for faster execution, Improved visual hierarchy and readability, Consistent interactions across trading tools

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Simplified Trading Workflows

Reduced steps for high-frequency actions
Clear grouping of related functions
Improved task flow continuity

Adaptive Visual System

Light and dark UI themes for varied trading environments
Refined typography for data-heavy screens
Improved visual hierarchy for faster scanning

Modular Widget Design

Reimagined trading widgets (Locate, Pre-Locate, Term, Loan Book)
Consistent component behavior across modules
Enhanced flexibility and customization

Measurable Impact

+38%

Task Efficiency

Faster completion of core trading actions

Before:57%

After:95%

+32%

Workflow Usability

Reduced friction across trading journeys

Before:60%

After:92%

+27%

User Confidence

Improved clarity during critical trading actions

Before:63%

After:90%

+30%

Navigation Speed

Faster movement between tools and widgets

Before:58%

After:88%

+24%

Reduction in Support Queries

Fewer usability-related issues reported

Before:34%

After:10%

+22%

Data Accessibility

Improved access to critical trading information

Before:62%

After:84%

Methodology & Testing

Domain Immersion

Deep understanding of trading terminology and workflows

Iterative Design & Validation

Continuous feedback from traders and stakeholders

Global Usability Testing

Sessions conducted across regions and time zones

Key Learnings & Insights

Enterprise UX Demands Clarity

Power users need structure and efficiency rather than fewer features.

Consistency Reduces Cognitive Load

Predictable interaction patterns improve speed and accuracy

Domain Knowledge Is Critical

Understanding industry terminology accelerates trust and outcomes.

Global Feedback Improves Design Quality

Diverse trader perspectives uncover hidden usability challenges.

Design Process Deep Dive

Discovery & Research

We conducted an intensive onboarding and discovery phase to understand trading concepts, user workflows, and operational requirements across global markets.

Product onboarding sessions for trading concepts
Stakeholder interviews across APAC, Boston, and London
Workflow walkthroughs with active traders
UX evaluation of existing features and interactions
Identification of workflow inefficiencies and usability gaps

Ideation & Prototyping

We translated research findings into structured workflows, modular interface concepts, and scalable UI systems focused on speed, clarity, and usability.

Workflow mapping for core trading journeys
Low- and high-fidelity wireframing
Modular widget redesigns
Light and dark theme exploration
Iterative refinement through stakeholder feedback

Testing & Validation

We validated design decisions through continuous usability testing to ensure faster task completion and improved user confidence.

Usability testing with traders
Validation of workflow efficiency
Navigation and widget interaction testing
Continuous refinements based on feedback

Implementation & Handoff

Design System

Created scalable UI patterns and modular trading components to ensure consistency across the platform.
130+ high-fidelity UI screens
Reusable trading components
Interaction specifications for widgets
Design documentation for development reference

Responsive Design

Ensured workflows and interfaces remained clear and efficient across enterprise environments.
Structured layouts for data-heavy screens
Scalable component architecture
Consistent interaction patterns
Clear workflow documentation

Accessibility

Focused on readability and efficient information consumption for professional users.
Improved visual hierarchy
Consistent interaction behaviors
Optimized data presentation
Ongoing validation during QA support

Developer Handoff Process

UX Documentation

Annotated wireframes, workflows, and interaction notes shared.

Asset & Component Delivery

Light and dark theme assets and reusable components provided.

Developer Walkthroughs

Alignment sessions conducted with engineering teams.

Build Support & Validation

Design support during implementation and QA cycles.

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Designing Enterprise Trading Experiences