Keyboard Shortcut System

Keyboard Shortcut System

Designing for speed, trust, and future scalability.

Designing for speed, trust, and future scalability.

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View Case Study ➔

View Case Study ➔

Project Summary

Project Summary

Overview:

Overview:

Project Type: B2B Healthcare Software

Project Type: B2B Healthcare Software

Platform: navify Digital Pathology

Platform: navify Digital Pathology

Role: UX Researcher and Designer

Role: UX Researcher and Designer

Focus Areas: Research, Workflow Rescue, Process Design

Focus Areas: 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 paused 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 immediate updates would fit into a scalable system, I proposed a structured framework that could grow with the platform over time.

The Challenge

The Challenge

Although the initial ask 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

Logical Grouping:

Logical Grouping:

Actions organized with consistent modifier patterns (ex. Ctrl + Letter) to build predictable mental models.

  • Audited workflows to identify critical usability risks.

  • Prioritized interventions based on safety and efficiency.

  • Embedded rapid UX reviews into development sprints.

Ergonomic Design

Ergonomic Design

Shortcuts planned for easy left-hand reach, recognizing that many clinical users navigate with a mouse in their right hand.

  • Conducted pathologist interviews and think-aloud sessions.

  • Ran heuristic evaluations for workflow bottlenecks.

  • Focused research on highest-risk diagnostic steps.

Mnemonic Mapping

Mnemonic Mapping

Shortcuts tied to intuitive, memorable letters — minimizing cognitive load. 

  • Established recurring research-review workshops.

  • Built a user research repository.

  • Embedded user insights directly into design planning.

Discoverability Recommendations

Discoverability Recommendations

Proposed tooltips and menu surfacing to help users organically learn shortcuts over time.

  • Established recurring research-review workshops.

  • Built a user research repository.

  • Embedded user insights directly into design planning.

Outcome and Reflection

Several shortcuts were implemented immediately; others are slated for future releases.

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.

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.

Planning ahead protected clinical efficiency today and safeguarded usability tomorrow.

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