EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Europa Component Library (ECL)

My Role

UI Design
UX Design
Interaction Design (IxD)
Design Ops
Technical Project Management

Team

DG COMM B3

Product Owners

Kevin Ambrogi
Laura Boselli
Geraud Berton

Lead

Agnes Lakatos
Etienne Belotti

THE SCOPE

and a bit of context

315.000.000+ visitors per year. 26.000.000+ per month.

1.000.000+ unique visits per month.

ECL stands for “Europa Component Library” and it is the design system for the whole administrative ecosystem of the European Commission.

ECL is comprised of a curated selection of elements, chosen based on the various needs of the core European Comission and EU website but also of the DGs (Directorat Generale) or other institutional bodies.

This helps all the EU institutions produce websites and web applications quickly and with a cohesive and coherent look & feel.

THE PROCESS

and my role in it

In 2018 I joined the European Commission as part of DG COMM to work on the Europa Component Library (ECL).
By this time the team was already working on the second iteration of the ECL.

Some of the responsibilities I had included

  • Maintaining ECL
  • Creating new components
  • Creating and updating documentation
    • Design rationale
    • Usage
    • DOs and DONTs
  • Reviewing development compliance with documentation
  • Ensuring at least AA levels W3C WCAG 2.1 compatibility
  • Testing
  • Improving Informational Architecture
  • Creating and maintaining Content Types

Also I managed to start and lead very high impact tracks

  • Creating the “print version” of ECL
  • Redesigns, alignment and improvements on the iconography library
  • Releasing ECL to the general public under Open Source licence
  • Merging the European Commission and European Union design systems
  • Migrating ECL from Sketch to Figma

Designing for Public Administration

Emphasising Usability, Accessibility, Inclusivity and Lowest Entry Point

When it comes to designing for public administration, it’s essential to prioritise values that reflect the core principles of serving the public effectively.

Unlike many other design systems, the Europa Component Library (ECL) places a stronger emphasis on usability, accessibility, inclusivity and the lowest entry point possible, amongst the other key aspects of any design system.

These principles are not just guiding lights; they are foundational to the design process and rationale for public administration systems.

Usability

Usability focuses on creating systems that are efficient, effective, and satisfying to use. For public administration, where users might range from tech-savvy individuals to those less comfortable with technology, usability is paramount.

Key aspects include:

  • Intuitive Navigation: Ensuring that users can easily find what they need with clear and logical navigation paths.
  • Consistent Design: Maintaining consistency across different interfaces and platforms to reduce the learning curve and prevent user errors.
  • Simplified Processes: Streamlining complex bureaucratic processes into simple, user-friendly steps to enhance user satisfaction and efficiency.

Accessibility

Accessibility ensures that all users, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can interact with and benefit from digital services. Public administration must serve a diverse population, including individuals with disabilities. Therefore, designing with accessibility in mind means:

  • Adhering to Standards: Implementing WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to ensure that digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
  • Inclusive Design: Creating interfaces that accommodate various assistive technologies, such as screen readers, magnifiers, and alternative input devices.
  • Testing and Feedback: Regularly testing interfaces with real users, including those with disabilities, to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.

Inclusivity

Inclusivity in design ensures that all users, regardless of their socio-economic status, age, language, or cultural background, can access and benefit from digital services. This principle involves:

  • Cultural Sensitivity: Designing with an understanding of different cultural contexts and ensuring that the system respects and accommodates diverse backgrounds.
  • Language Accessibility: Providing multilingual support to cater to users who speak different languages.
  • Broad User Base: Considering the needs of various demographics, including the elderly, children, and those with limited digital literacy.

Lowest Entry Point

The concept of the lowest entry point is about minimizing barriers to access and use, ensuring that even users with the most limited digital skills or resources can effectively use the system. This includes:

  • Minimal Technical Requirements: Designing systems that work well on older devices and with slower internet connections.
  • User-Friendly Interfaces: Creating simple, straightforward interfaces that do not require advanced technical knowledge to navigate and use.
  • Clear Instructions and Support: Providing easily accessible help resources, such as tutorials, FAQs, and customer support, to assist users in overcoming any difficulties they encounter.