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.
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

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:
- Data visualizationDesigned for getting immediate value, while calling users to register to give back value by submitting papers
- 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 -


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