Talamo
Talamo is an evidence-led SEND assessment platform that helps schools identify learning needs, understand patterns across pupils, and plan better support. The product builds digital assessments that help schools identify learning needs, understand pupils more clearly and plan effective support.
Role UI/UX Designer
Team Design Lead + Product/Development team
Timeline 5 weeks
Focus UX/UI · Product Design · Design Systems
The Challenge
Talamo was preparing for the second phase of its SEND assessment platform, expanding the product to support ADHD and dyscalculia screening.
I joined an established product and design system with a five-week delivery window. The challenge was to introduce a significant amount of new functionality without adding unnecessary complexity or compromising the consistency of the existing experience.
Working alongside the Design Lead, I was responsible for translating Phase 2 product requirements into UX/UI solutions across dashboards, forms, reports and modal interactions. I worked within and evolved the existing design system, defining how new functionality should behave while maintaining consistency with the wider product.
Key Design Decisions
CREATING A DASHBOARD THAT RESPONDS TO THE USER
Problem
New and returning users needed different levels of guidance, while certain information was only relevant when a school met specific conditions.
Decision
Rather than treating the dashboard as a single static state, I designed distinct new and returning user experiences. Contextual tip cards could then surface information in response to specific conditions without permanently adding more content to the interface. Tabs allow the user to switch the content whilst consolodating content keepin it above the fold.
Why
This allowed guidance to appear when it was useful while keeping the default dashboard focused on the user's primary tasks.
DESIGNING FOR INCOMPLETE DATA
Problem
The Insights Report introduced an important edge case: users could select students before any had completed the required assessment.
Decision
Rather than allowing an action that couldn't produce a result, I designed a disabled report state that communicated why the action was unavailable. This meant considering not only the ideal journey, but how the interface should respond when users encountered incomplete data.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT INTERACTION
Problem
The original flow used a dropdown to present a choice between two options. I identified an opportunity to simplify the interaction and recommended using radio buttons instead, making both choices immediately visible and reducing the number of interactions required to complete the form.
Original approach
Dropdown → click to open → review options → select
My recommendation
Radio buttons → options immediately visible → select
Why
With only two mutually exclusive options, radio buttons reduced unnecessary interaction and made the available choices easier to understand at a glance.
Working within an established system
Joining at Phase 2 meant quickly understanding the existing product and design system before introducing new functionality.
I first identified where existing components and interaction patterns could be reused, then adapted or extended them where the new requirements couldn't be accommodated effectively. This allowed the new features to feel part of the existing product rather than a separate layer added on top.
The final designs provided the UI foundations for Talamo's Phase 2 rollout, extending the product across dashboards, reporting and screening functionality while maintaining consistency with the existing experience and design system.
What I took forward
The project strengthened my approach to working within established products and design systems. It reinforced the value of understanding existing patterns before introducing new ones, and of aligning early with the wider team when working to a compressed delivery schedule.
I enjoy working collaboratively, building strong relationships with stakeholders and creating solutions that work for both users and the business.
Interested in working together?
I’m currently looking for UI/ Product design opportunities.