Overview
Interviewed and tested with multiple user groups
Mapped user journeys and target user flows
Built mockups and interactive prototypes
Designed UI in the Nova Design System (50Hertz/Elia)
Ran workshops and produced UX writing, illustrations, and a product flyer
The web-based B2B2C permission service was successfully launched in September 2025 and and received a positive response in the trade press. The service delivers a seamless user experience across all roles: Private and business customers manage data consent easily via the for.Watt portal. Metering point operators work within an integrated 50Hertz partner portal, while energy service providers connect efficiently through a standardized API.
Creation of a public portal for private and business customers, including a login area for registered users.
Development of landing pages for end customers, metering point operators and energy service providers to attract new users and offer in depth information
User experience based on user research insights
Creation semi-realistic line illustrations that have the potential to become core brand assets
Very positive feedback from the industry and trade press
Challenge
Design a simple consent flow for private and business customers to share metering data—clear, compliant, and fast to complete, even on mobile, without exposing technical complexity.
Enable metering point operators to validate requests reliably: match identities and metering points, flag errors early, and provide an auditable trail—while keeping the experience efficient.
Role
UX Designer, UI and Visual Designer, UX Writer, User researcher
Tools
Team
Handover
After I got handed over the initial design from the previous designer, I streamlined the permission process for private customers by removing individual consent checkboxes and redesigned the overview to make request and permission states immediately clear.
MPO Validation Flow
I created an easy validation flow for metering point operators, centered on an overview and a detail page. I drafted both screens and built a testable prototype that made verification steps explicit and quick to complete.
Prototype Testing
In alignment with the Product Owner, I prepared interview guides, scheduled and ran sessions, and documented findings in clear research reports. Based on the insights, I iterated on drafts to reduce errors and speed up decisions.
Public Pages & Storytelling
B2B Company Portal
I prototyped the company portal, tested it with a business user, and drafted the core portal pages. When the new design system library arrived, I redesigned the UI to align patterns, components, and visual consistency.
Workshops
I prepared and facilitated internal and external workshops: a customer journey session for product management in Brussels, an ideation workshop with MPOs at the 50Hertz EnergieMarktDialog in Berlin, and a team vision workshop at our Berlin offsite.
MPO Validation Flow Design
Mapping the journey from purchase to final delivery clarified users’ information and support needs. Interview insights revealed key pain points and potential breakpoints, which informed the customer journey map and guided early prototype testing. This work led to the first wireframes of the new solution.
Metering point operator persona derived from user research
Metering point operator happy flow
Metering point operator experience
An essential part of the permission service consists of partnering with metering point operators to validate requests, monitor permissions and transfer the connection users energy data during the permission period after the end user granted access to their data.
To clarify and validate the teams assumptions I conducted structured interviews alongside a two iterations of a service prototype. The permission service for metering point operators resides in the partner portal of 50Hertz as an own topic and will also be rolled out to metering point operators outside of 50Hertz control area.
Prototype testing with metering point operators
Insight 1
Tiles that simplify everything
Color-coded tiles present request and permission states with clear counts and quick filtering. This simple, intuitive overview speeds navigation to details. Interview feedback confirmed its ease of use and highlighted users’ enthusiasm.
Insight 2
Reduce avoidable queries
Operators want fewer interruptions so they can focus on core duties. They requested a standard rejection reason to avoid repeated explanations. The feature was implemented early to cut communication loops and speed up processing.
Insight 3
Obligations beyond core business
Providing user energy data is required yet not central to metering point operators’ work. Providers add stress by demanding instant responses to email requests, frequently containing attachments that make processing cumbersome.
Public pages and private area
To reduce complexity and deliver quickly, the team focused first on private customers with few energy locations. The UI evolved in three steps, from the initial handover design to the final branded version.
The design aimed for a joyful experience using strong color coding for branding and clarity. For private customers, requests were prioritized over permissions, as no further actions are usually required after data access is granted.
Sitemap
Clear targeting of different audiences
The main navigation focused on private and business customers, while service providers and operators were guided via dedicated footer landing pages.
Main pages
UX Wireframe Drafts
I defined a sitemap and wireframes for public pages addressing diverse audiences. Main navigation focused on private and business customers, while service providers and operators were guided via dedicated footer landing pages.
UI design
Evolving the interface
I started from an initial handover and created two further design increments. First, I restructured the overview, shortened copy, removed the logo, and aligned with legal and the PO to eliminate confirmation checkmarks for clarity.
Illustrations
People visualizing relationships
Character-Illustrations were chosen to highlight relationships, roles, and abstract concepts. The style evolved from customized stock visuals to detailed outline illustrations with subtle shadows and more expressive, character-driven faces.
Facilitation and out-reach
Ideation workshop
MPO Outreach Strategy Session
As part of the 50Hertz EnergieMarktDialog, I worked with the Product Manager to design and run a short ideation workshop with metering point operators, generating and evaluating ideas to reach them and drive adoption of the service.
Product Vision workshop
Buidling a shared vision
At a team offsite in Berlin, I partnered with the Product Owner to prepare and run a Product Vision Box workshop. Two groups developed and presented their product and service visions, helping us align on a shared long-term direction.
Q&A with the productowner
Jakob Willke, PO and Product Manager, 50Hertz
How did I support you as a product owner / manager?
"Supported the design of user flows and additional processes for the authorization service—initial groundwork, review, and further development."
"Supported external product communication, especially by leading the design of the forwatt.io website and developing audience-focused messaging."
"Co-prepared and co-facilitated internal and external workshops."
How was my relationship with stakeholders?
"Proactive, friendly, and confident communication with project partners and other external parties."
"It was especially noted how, in interviews with potential users, you created space for unfiltered feedback, questions, and deeper thoughts—giving us valuable insights for product development and marketing."
How did I collaborate with the team?
"Even though most of the work was remote, collaboration with the entire team was always trusting and direct."
"Delivering tasks reliably and on time clearly contributed to smooth and successful teamwork."
"In particular, close collaboration with frontend developers strongly supported the focused implementation of UX and design."
What was my contribution to the project?
"Leading the UX and visual design of the authorization service, especially the UI for the end-customer portal for.Watt and the B2B portal Epic."
"Bringing broad experience from user research through to audience-driven communication and marketing."
How successful was the project?
"The permission service is a niche product in the regulated energy sector, where proactively driving IT solution development is highly unusual. The strong interest from industry professionals in the MVP launch is therefore a major interim success. The service’s visual identity and the forwatt.io website contributed decisively. Marketing is still in an early phase, but feedback so far gives justified confidence in successful market adoption over the course of the year."
What new things did you learn from the project and our collaboration?
"The importance of UX research for user-centered product development."
"How important it is to “get users talking”—and how to create the right setting for it."
Eike Otto
Product & Service Designer
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