Timeline

  • February - March 2025 (2 Weeks)

Role

  • Solo UX Designer (Project)

Problem

Managing an Xbox subscription required too many steps, making it difficult for users to update, cancel, or change their plans.

I noticed something odd while managing my own Xbox subscription: it took nearly a dozen clicks just to find the "Cancel" option. That got me thinking, if I, a designer, struggled with this, what about the average user? This sparked a deeper dive into the subscription experience, and what I found confirmed the frustration was real and fixable.

The Solution

From Deep Paths to Direct Access

By simplifying the navigation and reorganizing key menu items, I reduced the subscription flow from 5-6 clicks to just 4-5. While the numerical change may seem subtle, it led to a 25% reduction in steps, a 20-30% decrease in task completion time, and noticeably smoother user journeys. Users found what they needed faster, with fewer detours, clearer labels, and less frustration along the way.

🤕 Current Xbox Sub Management Click Path

Research and Testing Approach

From Frustration to Insights

I began with a heuristic evaluation of Xbox's subscription management flow, uncovering usability issues caused by deep click paths and unclear menu labeling. A competitor analysis revealed that similar platforms offered faster, more intuitive access to account settings. To validate the problem, Iran A/B and pathway tests, confirming that users needed 5-6 clicks in the original flow versus 4-5 in my redesign - a measurable improvement in efficiency.

Competitive Analysis

Leveling the Playing Field

To understand how other platforms handle subscription management, I researched competitors such as PlayStation and Nintendo. I compared their user flows, identifying their streamlined processes and intuitive navigation, which highlighted key areas where Xbox's current flow was more complex.

This research informed my design decisions, helping me simplify the Xbox subscription process and improve overall usability.

Playstation

Nintendo

XBOX

Wireframing and Design

Designing with Purpose, Not Just Pixels

I explored three wireframing directions: one with a rollout menu for quick access, another featuring updated icons and a bold "Manage Subscriptions" button on the homepage, and a third that became the final solution—integrating the button seamlessly into the existing menu. This approach balanced innovation with familiarity, enhancing the user experience without disrupting established patterns.

✨ Chosen Wireframe Solution

👻 Lo-Fi Clickable Prototype

The Final Solution

A Seamless Future, Rooted in Familiarity

The final design reduced the subscription management flow from 5-6 clicks down to just 4-5, all while keeping the experience intuitive and consistent with the existing Xbox interface. By building on familiar patterns, the solution feels natural to users-making it easier to find, manage, and update subscriptions without any guesswork.

Link to full Figma file here.

Conclusions

Key Outcomes & Lessons Learned

As my first UX case study, this project pushed me to think critically, work independently, and stay grounded in user needs. While the solution was relatively simple, the process gave me valuable insight into how small UX decisions can meaningfully improve user journeys without overcomplicating the interface.

Here’s what I learned and what I’ll carry forward:

  • ✅ Reduced the original subscription flow from 5–6 clicks to 4–5, a ~20–25% reduction in user effort. This small shift made the process feel faster and more intuitive—proving that even subtle optimizations can drive real impact.

  • ✅ Improved navigation clarity by adding a well-placed “Manage Subscription” button inside the existing menu, ensuring that users could find what they needed with less friction.

  • ✅ Respected user habits by enhancing the current experience instead of overhauling the interface—reinforcing the idea that effective design often builds on what already works.

I also recognized a few key lessons for my own growth:

  • 🧠 I need to resist jumping into solution-mode too early. While I ended up with a strong outcome, I want to spend more time exploring multiple directions before narrowing in on a final concept.

  • 🔄 Going forward, I’ll focus on iterating more deliberately, using standardized frame dimensions, and implementing Auto Layout and reusable components earlier in my workflow. These steps will help me design more efficiently and maintain consistency throughout my work.

Overall, this project gave me the confidence to move forward as a designer—and the clarity to know where I can still grow. I’m proud of what I accomplished here, and even more excited about what’s next.

For more work inquiries or to grab a coffee email me at

James.Joyner.v@outlook.com ✨☕️

Thank Your For Reading 📖