ConTraSt

Turning users to contributors

I designed an interface for researchers to visualize data and contribute papers with ease and a sense of belonging
Details
Client Liad Mudrik lab @ TAU
My roleUX/UI designer
The teamDrorsoft (3 engineers)
Timeline 6 months

Context

Scaling Up the Conciseness Database

ConTraSt is a global research platform from Tel Aviv University that visualizes data from thousands of consciousness studies—giving researchers tools for insight and exploration.

Bigger Data
ConTraSt’s goal was to scale up the database through user-contributed research papers.
refracting light on conciosness

I was brought on board by DrorSoft as freelance UX/UI designer - facing both client needs and dev execution.

The Mission

User > Contributor

Redesign ConTraSt to make data visuals intuitive and contribution frictionless to encourage users to contribute papers as effortlessly as possible.

UX GOALS
  • Simple, structured data visuals
  • Clear call to contribute
  • Guided, low-friction submission flow

The Problem

An unconscious website

ConTraSt's platform held rich data, but the UX failed to engage its research community. The original ConTrast website was cluttered and poorly structured, which made it hard to use and unwelcoming for users to engage with its purpose.

(scroll to view legacy website)

PAIN POINTS
  • Poor usabilityCluttered UX blocked insights
  • No call to actionNo clear user flow or CTA
  • Not a systemManual submission process slowed contribution

Research

To Research Researchers

I gathered insights through open-ended personal interviews, interface audits and alignment with devs and stakeholders. -

INTERVIEWS

I interviewed conciseness researchers from TAU to understand their routine of research and the potential use of ConTraSt -

  • Why/howthey use visuals
  • Where/whenthey submit research
  • What/Whichemotional friction is encoutered in the process

PROCESS

Meanwhile - I gathered more context on the project's needs and state:

  • Aligned with dev + stakeholder needs
  • Audited and simplified existing flows
  • Mapped UX patterns across academic platforms
Mappings and inspirations

Insight

Clarity + Community = Contribution

Through gathering feedback, validating it with the client and refining insights, three core needs emerged:

USER NEEDS:
  • Clean, familiar UIfor exploring trends
  • Part of a big Ideapart of a research-driven community
  • Low-stress submission processthat's doable over time

Design

Cognitive research Cognitive load

Redesigned two core flows:

  1. Data visualizationDesigned for getting immediate value, while calling users to register to give back value by submitting papers
  2. Paper submissionAn elaborate submission process, made simple by segmentation and visual cues.

0. WIREFRAMING

Gathering insights and inspirations I started outlining a new structure for the two core flows based on a similar layout -

a separation between the control panel and an output area to give users immediate visual feedback

a screen layout that follows a clear hierarchy of the experiment’s input components and stages - Papers > Experiments > Tags

1. DATA VIS

The visualization system had to feel fun, attractive and easy to use to motivate users to become contributing members.

Structure
Built a modular left-hand control panel with live visual feedback
Navigation
Simplified chart switching via dropdown
refracting light on conciosness
refracting light on conciosness
Engagement
Added download buttons that trigger contribution prompts

2. SUBMISSION FLOW

The paper contribution process was complex and usually intended for a young researcher to do in a period of time. The process had to be clear, orienting and built for fragmented sessions.

Flow
Step-by-step wizard guides users
Navigation
Three-column layout separates stages: Paper → Experiment → Tags
refracting light on conciosness
refracting light on conciosness
Pattern
Reused visual patterns across steps for ease
Orientation
Tooltips and progress cues for orientation
refracting light on conciosness

Impact

Findings & Results

  • +40% active users
  • More data downloads and academic citations
  • Increased paper contributions and registrations

It was a thorough journey through a complex system and an opportunity to make science beautiful and simple to share.

Try it for yourself -

designed and developed by Elad Medan 2025