E-Catalog
E-kataloog is a secure web platform developed by the Estonian Centre of Registers and Information Systems (RIK) for managing post-contract procurement activities, where authenticated users can log in to view, search, sort, and interact with contracts and related products/services tied to their role in public procurement workflows. The system supports role-based access, detailed contract and item views, advanced filtering, and data export functions, enabling both buyers and suppliers to efficiently handle contract details, product/service catalogs, and related administrative actions within an Estonian e-procurement ecosystem.
My Role
I worked as a UI Designer and Developer on E-kataloog, focusing on translating evolving business requirements into clear, usable interface structures for a complex, data-heavy system. Working closely with a Business Analyst and under the mentorship of a Senior Designer, I designed and iterated key views, made layout decisions for long and variable data tables, and helped shape a scalable UI foundation that could adapt as the product scope became clearer over time.
It was my first project where I was able to work as a UI Designer and Developer, and it was a great learning experience. I learned a lot about the process of designing and developing a UI for a complex, data-heavy system. I also learned a lot about the process of working with a business analyst and a senior designer.
My role included:
- Hybrid UI Designer & UI Developer
- Built low- and high-fidelity prototypes in UXPin and iterated based on feedback
- Developed UI using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular; customized Bootstrap
- Collaborated with IT analyst, shaping user stories into visual solutions
- Worked under mentorship of a design lead; gradually expanded visual system
Design Challenges
How might we manage contract and order information in a way that gives all role-based users a real-time, shared understanding of progress, status, and ownership across the contract lifecycle?
How might we design search, filtering, and browsing so users can find what they need faster?
How might we structure information so users can move confidently from overview to detail and back again?
Process Challenge:
At the beginning of this project, there was no complete overview of all the views that required design.
Communication with the client was handled primarily through the business analyst, who translated needs into user stories. As soon as the first user stories were ready, I began prototyping to turn abstract requirements into something visual and discussable.
One of the earliest needs was the Orders view, initially envisioned simply as a list of orders with key information. After presenting the first prototype to the client, discussions became more concrete and their expectations clearer. Through these conversations it emerged that each order also needed to display detailed information about products and services. However, as the scope and volume of this data grew, it became evident that the tables could become very long and complex.
Acting as both designer and developer, I proposed separating the detailed content into a dedicated order detail page, keeping the Orders page focused on overview, search, filtering, and orientation. This approach supported usability, reduced cognitive load, and contributed to a more scalable structure
Outcome
The UI and UX work helped to translate complex procurement information into a structured and navigable experience, helping users maintain a clear overview of contracts, related products or services, and ongoing orders.