HP Print Control Panel – Simplifying Complex Workflows for Small to Enterprise Printers

1. Introduction & My Role

HP's Print Design division creates and handles workflows for HP Printers, specifically focusing on control panel touch screens. The existing touch screen interfaces across small, medium, and enterprise printers lacked intuitive user workflows, making it challenging for users to efficiently access features like Print, Scan, Fax, wireless connectivity, and troubleshooting tools.

As the UX Designer, I led the creation of comprehensive UX workflows for touch screen control panels across HP's entire printer portfolio, ensuring seamless user experiences regardless of printer size or complexity.

My Key Contributions
  • Unified IA System Redesigned taxonomy across 3 printer categories (Small, Medium, Enterprise)
  • Axure RP Mastery Created comprehensive workflows with responsive UI patterns for XS/MD/XL screens
  • Domain Expertise Mastered complex printer technology (Inkjet vs Laser systems) and hardware constraints
  • Scalable Workflow Design Single workflow system adapting to diverse printer capabilities and features
Role

UX/UI Designer(Mphasis)

Artifacts Created

Information Architecture, Site Map, Wireframes and Prototypes

Tools Used

Axure RP (Primary), Microsoft Excel for IA documentation, and collaboration tools

2. Problem → Solution (Overview)

HP's printer control panels presented multiple usability challenges that impacted user efficiency and task completion rates across their diverse printer portfolio.

Problems Identified
  • Complex Navigation: Users struggled to locate essential printing functions efficiently across different printer types.
  • Inconsistent Experience: Workflows varied significantly between small, medium, and enterprise printers, causing user confusion.
  • Poor Information Findability: Critical features like maintenance and troubleshooting were buried in complex menu structures.
  • Fragmented Task Flows: Users had to navigate through multiple screens to complete simple tasks like printing or scanning.
UX Solutions
  • Unified Workflow System: Created a single, scalable UX workflow that adapts to small (XS), medium (MD), and large (XL) printer screens
  • Streamlined Information Architecture: Redesigned taxonomy and IA to improve information findability across all printer types
  • Task-Oriented Design: Developed intuitive task flows that prioritize user goals over technical printer features
  • Responsive UI Patterns: Implemented adaptive UI patterns that work seamlessly across different touch screen sizes

3. Research

This project followed HP's established research methodology, leveraging extensive user research conducted by HP's dedicated User Research team. The research insights were gathered through prototype testing, user behavior analysis, and task completion studies across different printer types.

User Research Insights

The User Research team conducted comprehensive testing focusing on:

4. Design

I focused on creating a unified workflow system that could scale across HP's entire printer portfolio while maintaining consistency and usability. The design approach centered on understanding printer domain knowledge and translating complex technical requirements into intuitive user experiences.

Design Objectives

Based on HP's research insights and business requirements, I designed a system that was:

Simplify Core Functions
Streamline access to Print, Scan, Copy, and Fax features.
Improve Task Completion
Reduce steps required for common printing tasks
Enhance Troubleshooting
Make maintenance and troubleshooting tools more accessible.
Responsive Design
Ensure consistent experience across XS, MD, and XL screen sizes.
Define Pahse, Agile Workshop
User Flow Diagram

The Business Analyst conducted Agile workshops to review and discuss each user story in detail with the team before development began. I actively participated in these sessions, and once the user stories were clearly understood, I proceeded to design the corresponding UX flows.

Define Phase, Information Architects
User Flow Diagram

The Information Architects team forms the backbone of HP’s print design team, dedicating extensive time to refining the Information Architecture (IA), which is updated bi-weekly. They maintain the complete IA in a detailed Excel sheet, outlining each hierarchy level. I regularly collaborated with the IA team and contributed to redesigning the taxonomy and Information Architecture, alongside implementing key interaction design improvements for the project.

Prototype Phase, Task Flows
User Flow Diagram

Task flows were a key deliverable in the Axure RP file provided to the Firmware team. I created these task flows as separate slides within Axure RP, based on specific features like Tools, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting. The Firmware team referred to these flows during workflow implementation to ensure alignment with the intended user experience.

Prototype Phase, Build in Axure using pre-defined UI patterns
User Flow Diagram

The UI Pattern team developed a comprehensive pattern library in Axure RP, informed by research from the User Research team, Information Architects, and printer types. Each pattern was validated through prototype simulations tested with real users by the HP printer team. I referred to the IA documentation and utilized these patterns to create UX workflows in Axure RP, ensuring responsiveness across small (XS), medium (MD), and large (XL) printer screen sizes. When exporting the workflows, all three screen sizes were included, with UI patterns dynamically adapting to each screen dimension.

5. Implementation & Testing

Delivered comprehensive Axure RP workflows exported as HTML simulation files to the Firmware team. The workflows included detailed task flows, screen size variations, and interaction specifications for implementation within the .NET and C# printer software framework.

Testing Methods
  • Real user testing with physical printer prototypes
  • Task completion rate analysis
  • Information findability assessments
  • Workflow refinement based on user feedback

6. Outcome & Impact

Results Achieved
  • Unified User Experience: Successfully created a single workflow system that scales across HP's entire printer portfolio
  • Improved Task Completion: Streamlined workflows reduced steps required for common printing tasks
  • Enhanced Information Findability: Redesigned IA significantly improved users' ability to locate features and functions
  • Scalable Design System: Delivered responsive UI patterns that work consistently across all screen sizes
Client & Market Impact

The redesigned workflows were implemented across HP's printer portfolio and released to market in phases. The unified approach reduced development complexity while improving user satisfaction across small office, business, and enterprise printer segments.