GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER · UST · 2021 to 2025

How can an enterprise data catalogue turn scattered spreadsheets into a trusted source of truth?

Key metrics

Faster data discovery

One searchable catalogue instead of files and tools scattered across teams.

Clearer governance

Structured approvals and role-based access for sensitive datasets.

Design system in place

Reusable components that support new modules and teams.

Overview

Internal web application designed at UST for a global automotive manufacturer. The platform consolidates datasets, metadata, and approvals into a single enterprise data catalogue. My focus was to turn an engineer built "data dump" into a product that teams could actually navigate, trust, and scale.

Challenges

Data and definitions spread across Excel, SharePoint, and legacy tools, making discovery slow and inconsistent.
No clear ownership or approval process for changing or accessing sensitive data.
Existing repository UI was technically functional but difficult to navigate, with no UX direction or design system.

Goals

Create one place where teams can search, understand, and request data.
Introduce role-based access and approvals without slowing people down.
Build a design system so future modules and teams can plug into the same UI language.

My role

Lead Product / UX Designer – UST

Owned end to end UX and UI for the catalogue over 4 years.
Audited the initial repository and defined the information architecture, navigation, and key workflows.
Designed search, dataset detail, request, and approval flows for different roles (users, stewards, managers).
Built and maintained the design system: tables, filters, forms, status chips, and layout patterns.
Worked with multiple product owners and dev teams, keeping UX direction consistent as the programme evolved.

Team

Product owner · Architects · Project managers · Multiple development teams · Sole UX/Design

Duration

4 years (multi release enterprise product)

Process snapshot

Audit & research → IA & workflows → Design system → High fidelity UI → Implementation support

Heuristic review of the developer built tool and current Excel based workflows.
Workshops with data stewards, engineers, and managers to turn pain points into user stories.
Defined a layered IA around datasets, domains, lifecycle states, and roles.
Established core patterns for search, review, request, and approval.
Partnered with dev teams through sprints to refine edge cases and keep the system coherent.

Selected screens

Note: Screens and detailed UI screens are not shown here due to client NDA and internal security policies.

Impact & reflection

What began as a difficult to use internal repository evolved into the organisation's default reference for data. By treating governance, roles, and workflows as first class UX problems, not just policy, we turned scattered spreadsheets into a catalogue that teams actually rely on. This project sharpened my strength in enterprise UX, approvals, and design systems for long running, multi stakeholder products.

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