Keyboard Shortcut System
Keyboard Shortcut System
Keyboard Shortcut System
Designing for speed, trust, and future scalability.
Designing for speed, trust, and future scalability.
Designing for speed, trust, and future scalability.
Learn more
Learn more
Project Summary
Project Summary
Timeline: Q1 2023
Timeline: Q1 2023
Overview
Overview
Project Type:
Project Type:
B2B Healthcare Software
B2B Healthcare Software
Platform:
navify Digital Pathology
navify Digital Pathology
Role:
Role:
UX Researcher and Designer
UX Researcher and Designer
Focus Areas:
Focus Areas:
Research, Workflow Rescue, Process Design
Research, Workflow Rescue, Process Design
During a redesign of navify Digital Pathology, I was tasked with updating the platform’s keyboard shortcuts.
Before beginning the work, I encouraged stakeholders to consider the broader user experience. Shortcut design impacts not only speed and precision—it also builds trust through predictability and learnability.
To ensure the intended outcomes would scale into a cohesive system, I proposed a structured framework that could grow with the platform over time.
During a redesign of navify Digital Pathology, I was tasked with updating the platform’s keyboard shortcuts.
Before beginning the work, I encouraged stakeholders to consider the broader user experience. Shortcut design impacts not only speed and precision—it also builds trust through predictability and learnability.
To ensure the intended outcomes would scale into a cohesive system, I proposed a structured framework that could grow with the platform over time.
🔑 Key Challenges
🔑 Key Challenges
Although the initial task focused on a small set of updates, two risks became clear:
Fragmentation Risk
Without a structured approach, shortcuts could become inconsistent and confusing, quietly eroding trust over time.
Scalability Risk
New features would create friction if shortcut patterns weren’t planned now—forcing rework and user relearning later.
Although the initial task focused on a small set of updates, two risks became clear:
Fragmentation Risk
Without a structured approach, shortcuts could become inconsistent and confusing, quietly eroding trust over time.
Scalability Risk
New features would create friction if shortcut patterns weren’t planned now—forcing rework and user relearning later.
The Solution
The Solution
Logical Grouping
Logical Grouping
Actions organized with consistent modifier patterns (e.g. Ctrl + Letter) to build predictable mental models.
Actions organized with consistent modifier patterns (e.g. Ctrl + Letter) to build predictable mental models.
Ergonomic Design
Ergonomic Design
Shortcuts planned for easy left-hand reach, recognizing that many clinical users worked with a mouse in their right hand.
Shortcuts planned for easy left-hand reach, recognizing that many clinical users worked with a mouse in their right hand.
Mnemonic Mapping
Mnemonic Mapping
Shortcuts tied to intuitive, memorable letters—minimizing cognitive load.
Shortcuts tied to intuitive, memorable letters—minimizing cognitive load.
Discoverability Recommendations
Discoverability Recommendations
Proposed tooltips and menu surfacing to help users organically learn shortcuts over time.
Proposed tooltips and menu surfacing to help users organically learn shortcuts over time.
Outcome and Reflection
Outcome and Reflection
Several shortcuts were implemented immediately, others are slated for future releases.
Because the system was designed early, **new features can now expand predictably** without fragmenting the user experience.
Strong interaction systems are often invisible — until they’re missing.
Planning ahead protected clinical efficiency today and safeguarded usability tomorrow.
Several shortcuts were implemented immediately, others are slated for future releases.
Because the system was designed early, **new features can now expand predictably** without fragmenting the user experience.
Strong interaction systems are often invisible — until they’re missing.
Planning ahead protected clinical efficiency today and safeguarded usability tomorrow.
