Nexstera Tech: Revolutionizing Battery Identification with UX Design
Overview
Nexstera Tech is redefining battery identification in waste management facilities, addressing the critical issue of lithium-ion battery fires that cause millions of dollars in damages annually. The startup is developing Pyrotack, an AI-powered detection system that accurately identifies lithium-ion batteries before they become hazardous.
As an emerging leader in the field, Nexstera Tech was named a finalist in Cal Poly’s AngelCon competition and secured third place in UC Berkeley’s TigerLaunch competition. To effectively present Pyrotack to investors and stakeholders, Nexstera Tech’s executive team sought a professional website that would communicate their mission, product value, and credibility.
Role & Project Details
Role: UX/UI Designer (collaborated with 4 Designers and 3 Product Managers)
Duration: January 2024 – March 2024
Tools: Figma, Illustrator, Coda
Deliverables: Website design, Webflow implementation, UX testing, UX writing
Problem Statement
The challenge was twofold:
Effectively introducing Pyrotack as a revolutionary battery detection system while securing investor interest.
Educating stakeholders on the importance of proper lithium-ion battery disposal and recycling.
Beyond showcasing the product, the website needed to serve as an informational resource hub, providing clear guidance on proper disposal methods and industry developments. The key question was: How might we integrate these diverse elements into a website that simultaneously promotes Pyrotack, advocates for responsible lithium-ion battery management, and engages both investors and the public?
Research & Strategy
Client Standups
Throughout the project, our Product Managers met regularly with Penny, Nexstera Tech’s CEO, to align on vision, iterate on design elements, and ensure the website accurately reflected the company’s mission and goals.
Competitor & Market Research
Our research process involved a three-step competitor analysis:
Identifying direct competitors and analyzing their websites.
Conducting a SWOT analysis to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Brainstorming opportunities for Nexstera Tech’s website design.
Key insights from competitor analysis:
Use a minimalist layout for clarity and ease of navigation.
Break content into digestible sections with concise text.
Incorporate interactive elements to engage users.
Focus on two primary user groups: investors and general users.
Ideation & Design System
Concept Development & Wireframing
To structure the user experience, we explored multiple solutions using:
Crazy 8s ideation technique to generate diverse design concepts.
Solution sketches & collaborative design workshops to refine ideas.
Storyboarding & journey mapping from both an investor’s and a general user’s perspective.
We split into two teams to develop tailored experiences for each user type, ensuring seamless navigation and intuitive design.
Design System & Branding
To align with Nexstera Tech’s core values of sustainability and innovation, we developed a comprehensive design system:
Color Palette: A cool-toned, sleek mix of greens and blues to reflect sustainability and cutting-edge technology.
Typography: Neue Haas Grotesk, a clean, modern sans-serif typeface that reinforces professionalism, innovation, and reliability.
Prototyping & UX Testing
Lo-fidelity Prototype:
High-Fidelity Prototypes
Using Figma, we built low-fidelity and high-fidelity wireframes, with major design refinements based on feedback. Key website sections included:
Product Page: Features and benefits of Pyrotack.
Education Hub: Information on lithium-ion battery disposal and environmental impact.
FAQ Section: Answers to common inquiries from both investors and general users.
Investor Page: Detailed insights into Nexstera Tech’s financial progress, partners, and future plans.
Contact Page: Multiple access points to ensure seamless user communication.
Usability Testing & Iterations
We conducted usability tests through think-aloud studies and A/B testing, gathering feedback on clarity, functionality, and engagement.
Key Findings & Improvements:
Minimalism Wins: Users preferred a clean homepage with less text and clear, direct navigation.
Clearer Messaging: We eliminated redundant content and streamlined key product information.
Improved Investor Page: Users wanted more financial details, so we added pop-ups for deeper insights.
Contact Accessibility: We tested two contact form placements and implemented the preferred footer-based form with an additional contact page.
Final Impact & Success
$65,000 in Funding Secured: The well-structured, professional website played a direct role in investor confidence.
Higher User Engagement: Streamlined design led to better interaction rates.
Stronger Brand Credibility: The visually compelling, informative platform established Nexstera Tech as a leader in battery detection technology.
Challenges & Lessons Learned
One of our biggest challenges was integrating multiple content priorities (investment appeal, product education, and resource hub) without overwhelming users. Our solution:
Clear navigation tabs & structured content hierarchy.
A landing page that immediately conveys Nexstera’s value proposition.
Lessons learned:
User research is invaluable – Understanding our audience shaped design decisions.
Iterative testing leads to better solutions – A/B testing and think-aloud studies helped refine key features.
Client collaboration is key – Regular check-ins with Nexstera Tech’s CEO ensured alignment and efficiency.
What’s Next?
We are transitioning the prototype into a fully functional Webflow website, ensuring smooth implementation while maintaining our initial design vision.
Final Thoughts
This project reinforced that UX design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a strategic business tool. Through thoughtful design, we helped elevate Nexstera Tech’s brand, engage investors, and secure funding for future growth.
