nucleus
role
Product designer
context
Hervé Studio
client
Nucleus is a major American player in the DNA analysis and genetic testing market, offering next-generation health products to the general public.
A next-generation health product in need of structure
Nucleus is a major player in the US market for DNA analysis and genetic testing, offering cutting-edge health solutions to the public.
I joined the project during my time at Hervé Studio with a clear mission: bring product expertise and clean up a design system weighed down by technical and design debt.
Turning a fragmented ecosystem into a cohesive system
After a year of unstructured development, the biggest challenge was analyzing and reorganizing the entire product. What was obsolete? What was new? What were the daily needs of designers, developers, copywriters, and project managers?
The key objective was to create a structured, maintainable design system that would streamline collaboration across teams.
A methodical approach to standardization
The first step was a comprehensive audit of the product’s structure, workflows, and team interactions to align the design system with real user needs. Based on these insights, I established clear component guidelines to ensure autonomy while maintaining consistency.
Key actions:
Restructuring outdated elements
Standardizing components to prevent inconsistencies
Implementing scalable design rules
Training teams for long-term usability
A major challenge was the lack of product management, leading to conflicting feedback and stalled progress. To resolve this, we introduced role-based permissions and structured processes, streamlining decision-making and maintaining focus.
A strategic redesign with lasting impact
By the end of the project, Nucleus had a functional, scalable design system, improving collaboration and ensuring long-term maintainability. Beyond refining my technical skills, this project taught me valuable lessons in client management, process optimization, and the importance of structured decision-making in product design.