Public Sector
Reimagining the UX of Geneva's Population Database
Case Study
At a glance
The challenge set by the Cantonal Office for Information Systems and Digital Affairs (OCSIN) was to completely redesign the user interface to the Geneva Population Database while securing the adoption of the 8,000 state agents who have been using a legacy version of this application daily for around 20 years. The challenge was successfully met in under 6 months by implementing a design system that supports the new interface, ensuring accessibility for visually impaired users.
Client
Cantonal Office for Information Systems and Digital Affairs (OCSIN)
Sector
Public Sector
Project
POP-GE User Interface
Activities
Persona workshops
Ideation workshops
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability testing
Design system implementation
Front-end development
DevOps
QA testing
Technologies
Figma
Vue.js
PrimeVue
Faker.js
Make it simple
The major challenge of this project was to consolidate information spread across more than 15 tabs into a single screen, providing users with clear, readable, and structured data. The work focused on both data synthesis and graphic representation to highlight key results and allow users to grasp essential information in a single view.
The agile approach to prototyping and early user testing played a crucial role in the project’s success. This ensured that no functionality was overlooked and that the search experience remained smooth, readable, and easy to use.
Whether it’s their UX expertise, ability to propose innovative solutions, or attentiveness to detail, the Whitespace team has won over all the project stakeholders within OCSIN. The workshops conducted with our users helped bring out their needs and priorities. Starting from an outdated web application, we now have a front office solution designed and structured to enhance user efficiency, meeting the required standards with a touch of modernity. When reflecting on our experience working with Whitespace, professionalism and rigor are two key strengths that set them apart from other consultancies.
Olivier Albrecht, Gestionnaire des services en ligne de l'Office Cantonal de la Population et des Migrations à la DGSI - Etat de Genève
Design system
OCSIN used this project as a pioneer initiative to establish a design system intended for internal applications across the Geneva state administration. A total of 35 components were designed (in Figma) and developed (in Vue.js), ensuring seamless integration between design and code.
This was made possible through:
- The use of Figma variables
- Development of a specialized Figma plugin
- Automated transformations between Figma and code via a CI/CD pipeline
The benefits of implementing a design system include enhanced visual consistency, faster development processes, and simplified maintenance through reusable components.
Accessibility
Among the 8,000+ state agents using the POP-GE application daily, several are visually impaired, and one is completely blind.
The interface had to be fully accessible to this visually impaired population. To ensure this, user testing was conducted with the blind employee.
Cost & lead time reduction
To reduce costs and development time, OCSIN chose to have the entire interface developed by our front-end experts, who are highly proficient in these technologies.
Only six weeks were required to code the design system and deliver the fully functional interface.
Key stats
8000+
Users, including visually impaired and blind individuals
4
Months total for delivering the new front-end, including the design system
6
Weeks of workshopping, agile prototyping, and usability testing
35+
Components designed, developed, documented, and tested
Francis Martin
PMO & Principal BA
This project was a true success and an absolute pleasure—a perfect synergy between end users, the client’s project committee, and Whitespace. In less than six months, from the first brainstorming workshop to the delivery of the front-end code, the interface of one of the most widely used internal applications at the State of Geneva was completely redesigned to the great satisfaction of its many and diverse users. The key to success was the trust and close collaboration established among all stakeholders in a true spirit of partnership. This is how all projects should be carried out—and how we love to do it!
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