Energy Trading

Client: Energy Trading Company (Confidential)
Agency: UK-Based Digital Consultancy
Role: Sole UX Designer
Language: German (Client-side only)

Context & Challenge

As the sole UX designer embedded within a UK consultancy, I was tasked with designing a high-performance energy trading dashboard for a German client. The entire product interface and all client communications were in German — and I had no prior knowledge of the language.

The mission was clear: Design an intuitive, high-trust, real-time energy trading experience that empowered expert users — without slowing them down.

Process

1. Rapid Domain Immersion

I travelled to germany regularly and worked closely with trading analysts, engineers, and product leads (via translators and visual references) to understand the nuances of energy markets, user expectations, and the mission-critical decisions they made daily.

2. Language-Resilient Design Strategy

Since I couldn’t rely on language to interpret the UI during design, I treated layout, iconography, hierarchy, and visual consistency as primary communication tools — pushing for meaning through structure rather than text.

3. Modular & Scalable Interface Architecture

The interface needed to handle dense information without cognitive overload. I created a modular design system of panels, widgets, and data feeds — scalable across user roles and adaptable to future tools and markets.

4. Rapid Prototyping in Figma

Despite the language barrier, I maintained full momentum by designing directly in German using translated user stories, existing tooling, and UI copy provided by the client. I left labeled callouts in English for developer handoff and testing.

Core UX Outcomes

  • Real-Time Data Confidence

    The interface supported traders with live pricing, market movement indicators, and immediate context, without sacrificing readability.

  • Visual Decision Support

    Strategic use of color, contrast, and micro-interactions helped traders identify priority actions and assess risk without unnecessary clicks.

  • Language-Agnostic Usability

    Despite being a non-German speaker, the design passed user acceptance testing on the first round, with minimal iteration required — a testament to the clarity of the UX patterns and layout.

Value for the Client

  • Accelerated Delivery: Project delivered on time and ready for iterative build, despite language limitations.

  • Improved User Confidence: Traders reported feeling more in control and informed, particularly around high-pressure moments in the trading workflow.

  • Future-Proof Design: The modular system laid the foundation for cross-market expansion, with localised variations and minimal rework required.

Key Learnings

  • Language should never be a blocker to clarity: Good UX communicates through structure, flow, and logic.

  • Constraints can sharpen design instinct: I became more intentional with layout, contrast, and visual hierarchy when I couldn’t rely on text.

  • Collaboration bridges all gaps: Trust with local teams and users made it possible to navigate complexity with ease.