LeanFM Technologies

Dashboard Redesign

UX/UI Design Internship • 3 min read

LeanFM Technologies is a cloud-based AI software that finds root causes and insights relating to HVAC faults.

Overview

My Experience

During this internship, I collaborated directly with the CEO and CTO to redesign the LeanFM Prescriptiv dashboard (a predictive HVAC analysis tool used by enterprise clients).

My work focused on improving clarity, usability and efficiency in how facility managers visualize energy, performance and predictive maintenance data.

UX/ UI Design Intern

My Role

Figma, Adobe CC, Git, JS/HTML/CSS

Tools

8 weeks

Duration

Summer 2023

Remote

Location

Table of Contents

01 Current Analysis

From Clutter to Clarity

Research + Brainstorm

I began by analyzing the existing dashboard.

Our goal was to understand where visuals, navigation, and data presentation created friction.

Key Observations

  • The previous UI lacks visual hierarchy

  • Navigation is broad, but the tasks are specific (users have to dig through large data sets for root-fault detection)

  • Color palette and typography does not support quick readability in high-pressure maintenance settings

02 Synthesis

Defining Clarity

Strategy

Based on the analysis, I defined the redesign strategy: simplify layout + emphasize clarity + preserve structure for seamless implementation

I created a key user story to keep in mind: “Facility manager reviewing root-cause analysis on a tight schedule” and prioritized task flows accordingly

Goal

Deliver a dashboard that is both visually accessible and technically implementable.

03 Design

Iterating to Efficiency

Iteration 1

The first redesign focused on visual clarity and accessibility while maintaining the existing structure

I also introduced a new typeface and color palette (Heebo font and a darker navy color)

Iteration 2

This second redesign also focused on visual appeal and accessibility, but I changed the overall structure in case the company chose to make large-scale technical changes

I stayed consistent with my usage of the Heebo font and darker navy as the primary color

I also relocated the navigation bar to a left panel and introduced red/green indicators for fault levels to better the urgency cues

04 Final Design

Overview of Design Decisions

Result

A dashboard that guides users through information rather than overwhelming them with it.

Initial UI

  • Dense layout with competing data points

  • Flat color palette with poor urgency signaling

  • Ambiguous typography and spacing

  • Difficult navigation for frequent tasks

Final Prototype

  • Streamlined sections and clear modular grouping for fault categories

  • Enhanced contrast and color-coded severity levels (red for critical, green for resolved)

  • Implemented consistent font hierarchy (Heebo) and improved line spacing for scannability

  • Added side navigation and logical task flow to reduce clicks and cognitive strain

05 Handoff

Design to Development

Implementation

Once the design system and final mockups were approved, I collaborated directly with the CTO to translate the new UI into development

06 Reflection

Translating Data to Design

This experience taught me that clarity in complex systems is more than just a design principle, and is also a service to the user.

I learned to communicate across disciplines and balance visual innovation with engineering constraints. I also am grateful for the opportunity to see front-end collaboration as a continuation of design, when previously I would have considered it more of as an afterthought.

A Big Thank You to CTO Xuesong (Pine) Liu for the opportunity. Your guidance and support, especially as an alumni of my current university, have been invaluable in shaping my skills and understanding of the industry.