Rockwool
Rockwool is a global company specializing in stone wool insulation, providing sustainable solutions for energy efficiency, fire safety, and noise reduction in buildings. Its products are used in construction, industrial, and residential sectors
At Merkle, I collaborated on several projects for Rockwool over the course of a year. Our work focused on three main areas: streamlining product calculators, enhancing the main navigation, and developing the MyRockwool login platform.
Role: Lead Designer
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Calculator engines
Rockwool has a wide range of calculators, each with its own unique design and functionality. Our task was to streamline and unify the design and functionality across all existing and future calculators. In this initial phase, we focused on two key types: the Quantity Calculator and the U-Value Calculator.
First things first
In collaboration with the client, we held several workshops to gain a deeper understanding of the company and clearly define the project requirements. Together, we developed a successful solution that met their needs. Defining those needs and shaping the solution took time and careful consideration. The workshops included inspiration and insights from the client, as well as UX sessions to explore how the solution should take shape.
The design process
Once we had a clear understanding of the problem we needed to solve, we began working in an agile setup consisting of a UX team, myself as the designer, and a development team. Using the wireframes provided by the UX team, I started on the design tasks. Each new feature or step was presented to the development team during our weekly meetings.
Another request from Rockwool was to create a new design system based on the design direction of their newly updated global website.
U-Value Calculator
Rockwool's U-Value Calculator is a tool that helps calculate the thermal performance of building materials, specifically insulation. The U-Value measures how well a material conducts heat, with lower values indicating better insulation. It calculate on input such as building structure, including material types, thicknesses, and layers. This tool is useful for architects, builders, and designers to ensure energy-efficient building designs
This is the original U-Value calculator
The solution
A key approach across all calculators was to create a simplified, step-by-step experience. By breaking down the process into smaller, more manageable steps, we reduced the cognitive load for users, ensuring that they were presented with only the necessary information at each stage. This made it easier to absorb details without overwhelming the user or creating a cluttered, confusing interface.
This pattern not only streamlined the user journey but also improved the overall usability of the calculators. It allowed us to maintain a consistent design language that prioritized clarity and ease of use. By simplifying the interface, we ensured that complex calculations could be completed with minimal friction, contributing to a more user-friendly experience across all of Rockwool’s tools. Furthermore, this approach facilitated scalability, making it easier to incorporate future calculators into the design system while maintaining a cohesive user experience.
The Quantity Calculator
Rockwool's Quantity Calculator is a user-friendly tool designed to help users accurately estimate the amount of insulation material required for their projects. By guiding users through a series of simple steps, the calculator collects essential details about the project, such as dimensions, insulation type, and application area. This approach ensures that users receive precise calculations tailored to their specific needs, helping them make informed decisions and avoid over- or under-purchasing materials.
The design process for the Quantity Calculator closely followed that of the U-Value Calculator, ensuring consistency and usability across both tools. We focused on breaking down the user journey into simple, step-by-step stages, presenting only the necessary information to reduce cognitive overload. This approach was vital in maintaining clarity, especially with the technical nature of both tools.
Seamless navigation
The Seamless Navigation project aimed to improve navigation across all of Rockwool's brand websites, creating a more cohesive and user-friendly experience.
Similar to the calculator project, we conducted design workshops with the client to better understand the problem and develop a solution that met their requirements. We leveraged the new design system we created, adapting it with variations in brand colors to ensure consistency while allowing each brand's unique identity to shine through. This approach ensured that all websites felt distinct yet still clearly part of the same company.
MyRockworld
The MyRockwool project focused on designing the user interface for the platform behind Rockwool’s login system. MyRockwool provided users with a range of functionalities, enabling them to access personalized tools, resources, and services tailored to their needs.
As with other Rockwool projects, we began by collaborating closely with the client through meetings and workshops to fully understand the platform's requirements and the user needs. The UX team then initiated the wireframe process, incorporating content and functionality into the early design stages. By this point, we had already established a clear design system through previous projects, which allowed us to efficiently apply consistent patterns and styles, streamlining the design phase.
The design system made it easier to maintain a cohesive user experience across MyRockwool while accommodating the specific needs of this project. The platform's stakeholders were heavily involved in shaping the direction, ensuring that the interface aligned with their vision and met business objectives. As a result, MyRockwool not only delivered a seamless and intuitive experience for users but also reinforced the brand's overall digital identity.
