HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Sapient has been a digital partner of Harley-Davidson for the past 4 years. I was part of the original Harley team from the start & have continued to serve as the Experience Lead – functioning as the primary UX point-of-contact for the global account.
36+
months on the account
100+
projects delivered
5,200+
billable hours
0
miles ridden on a Harley
SOCIAL AGGREGATOR
Bringing Riders Together
VISIT SOCIAL AGGREGATOR
Date: 05.2014 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; supervised another Experience Designer.
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Sapient created a site that aggregated the social chatter of Harley riders & brand ambassadors.
110 ANNIVERSARY
110 Years of Freedom. 1 Year of Celebrations...& Site Updates.
VISIT 110TH ANNIVERSARY
Date: 12.2012
Agency: Sapient
Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; presented & reviewed interaction designs with client stakeholders for approval.
2013 SAPIENT RECOGNITION
"There are 110 reasons why I am so thankful Vixay works on the Harley-Davidson projects I project manage! He has been on the year-long Harley Davidson 110 Anniversary project (along with his other H-D projects) & has provided leadership, insights & consistency to ensure we provide a superior product to the client.
As demanding as the Harley client has been, Vixay has been recognized by the client for his thought process, attention to detail & adding value to their asks. His knowledge of the client & multiple approaches to solving the same problem are well acknowledged by the team & the client.
I am so glad to have Vixay as part of the H-D team & just wanted to say THANKS & ensure he gets recognized for what he does. Vixay – keep bringing your experience & expertise to the forefront – it is much appreciated not only by the team but by the client as well!"
– Florinda Dilag, PM, Sapient
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Worldwide & year long, Harley-Davidson celebrated 110 years of freedom. With over 20 individual projects spread across 12 months, the 110th Anniversary site grew from a simple concept into a central hub for Harley enthusiasts to connect with each other & Harley-Davidson – before & during each event as well as the party wrap-up. Features included: The ability for users to mask their photo with the 110 logo & upload to the site, share their stories & find event information. Live tweets, Instagram photos/videos feeds & a new interactive experience also helped tell the story of the epic celebration.
DEALER LOCATOR
Where Can I Find a Harley Dealer?
VISIT DEALER LOCATOR
Date: 11.2011 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; supervised another Experience Designer.
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The project objective was to deliver a world-class location search tool that could meet the expectations of Harley-Davidson customers on a global scale. Not only did the locator tool have to make it simple for users to find a dealer but it also needed to help promote dealerships as hubs of activity outside the standard motorcycle selling/buying experience.
MODEL YEAR
New Model Year Lineups. Let's Do This Again Next Year.
"I just wanted to send a thank you on behalf of the GMLT as well. Great example of global collaboration, process improvement & a kick-ass web experience!
THANK YOU."
– Shelley Paxton, VP, Integrated Marketing & Planning, Harley-Davidson
VISIT HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODEL YEAR
Date: 2011 - 2014 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; presented & reviewed interaction designs with client stakeholders for approval; supervised another Experience Designer.
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For the past 4 years, Harley-Davidson has engaged Sapient to update their site with new model lineups. Every year, Sapient was tasked to deliver a positive brand impression, portray the motorcycles as desirable, premium products & make High Value Activities (HVAs) more easily accessible. Looking forward to 2015 & beyond.
"To simply say thank you, does not begin to capture my sincere gratitude & appreciation for the team’s efforts & commitment to the MY13 web experience. For many of you this has been a ten-month journey; too many late nights working to count; working weekend & brutal battles with Web Publisher – yet still you rise.
Exactly what did you deliver: Enhanced processes, full-bleed homepage, full-bleed model pages, enhanced paint & wheels section, enhanced technology & feature section, new navigation, outstanding photography, enhanced campaign landing page, enhanced mobile experience, enhanced tablet experience, updated the world’s best bike builder, launched MY13 NA Paid Search campaign & accommodated requests for four staggered MY13 web launch dates – WOW!!
As we all know, MY13 web development & execution is not for the faint of heart. Although we had one non-death casualty due to CMS (we wish him well in his new assignment); the team should be extremely proud of its accomplishments.
Again, thank you & I look forward to our MY14 journey slated to kick off in September."
– Deborah Benard, Project Sponsor, Harley-Davidson
Date: 10.2013 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Designer
Responsibilities: Worked closely with the Design team to create detailed user experience specifications which included sitemaps & wireframes.
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The Street 750 & 500 were the first new platforms for Harley-Davidson in 13 years & a website was needed to help with the big launch. A simplified user experience to highlight key features of the liquid-cooled bikes was the solution. With its social feeds & inspiring images, the site was aimed at the young urban buyers around the world.
"Thank you for making the G Reveal a success. The site looks great!"
– Deborah Benard, Project Sponsor, Harley-Davidson
"Amazing work, everyone! Some massive hurdles were overcome to get here, fer shure. And y'all did it with grace & style."
– Michael Shostak, VP, Sapient
2014 BEST AUTOMOTIVE WEBSITE, BEST MOBILE WEBSITE – INTERNET ADVERTISING COMPETITION
Date: 08.2013 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Designer
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; presented & reviewed interaction designs with client stakeholders for approval.
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The results: The Rushmore site drove more than 1.4 million visits in 2013. Total video viewing time was the equivalent of more than 7 years. 50% of viewers who started the video continued watching for a straight 10 minutes. Sales targets for Rushmore were exceeded in 2013.
"Initial retail sales of the new Project Rushmore motorcycles sparked the largest year-over-year new model sales increase in two decades."
– Keith Wandell, Chairman and CEO, Harley-Davidson
"HUGE congrats to the team. This was a Herculean effort, to say the least…with multiple projects launching in parallel. Well done!"
– Michael Shostak, VP, Sapient
"Congratulations all. I know this was a major undertaking that wasn't without a ton of challenges & each of the team members on this project stepped up & delivered. What you all delivered is something to be proud of – a truly innovative creative & technical experience for Harley consumers. Thanks to all on the team."
– Michael Tayag, VP, Sapient
"Great work everyone! I can tell you that I have heard a lot of 'wows & looks awesome' within the 4 walls of H-D."
– Elizabeth Ballard, Account Manager, Sapient
"A gigantic THANK YOU to the Dark Custom team who did an amazing job keeping to the hard date & just finding ways to make it happen."
– Anthea Tang, PM, Sapient
Date: 07.2012 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; presented & reviewed interaction designs with client stakeholders for approval.
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Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom line of motorcycles was introduced in 2008 as an attempt to gain the attention of a younger, hipper customer base. The Dark Custom line pays tribute to the dirt tracks & drag strips – the uninhibited spirit of motorcycle culture. In 2012, the Dark Custom microsite was starting to look dated & out-of-touch with the digital platforms their young demographic were using. Sapient implemented a brand new full-bleed microsite to address those concerns.
Date: 03.2012
Agency: Sapient
Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; presented & reviewed interaction designs with client stakeholders for approval.
2012 SAPIENT RECOGNITION
"Just when I think a certain project is about to go downhill, someone does something I did not anticipate to make things seem ‘not so bad.’
On the WO Inspire To Ride project, Vixay did just that & provided direction & leadership at a time when the concept was client provided, scope was not defined, we needed to estimate, the team was unmotivated & no one had the time to figure it out.
He had the forethought & took the initiative of wiring the client’s misguided concept & scattered ideas to something acceptable & was able to guide the team to something that was presentable. This gave the team the starting point needed & ended up being more than presentable as this was the concept the client ended up moving forward with & implementing.
I want to thank Vixay for his hard work & knowing that I can depend on him to just get things done!"
– Florinda Dilag, PM, Sapient
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The project objective was clear & simple: Inspire women to ride. The site offered a visually-compelling magazine-style layout of dynamically generated Facebook, Twitter & Flickr tiles with primary call-to-actions to share a user story, find the right bike, get a sticker or learn to ride.
STEREOTYPICALHARLEY CONTEST X 3
3 Contests, 1 Template
Date: 08.2012 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; presented & reviewed interaction designs with client stakeholders for approval.
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Harley-Davidson teamed up with Marvel/Sons of Anarchy/UFC in celebration of the independent spirit that unites us. Contestants were asked to submit a story & design a custom motorcycle that reflected their uniqueness for a chance to win a one one-of-a-kind motorcycle, a Rider's Edge New Rider Training course & VIP access to a Marvel event/exclusive meet & greet with the cast of Sons of Anarchy/VIP trip to a UFC event. The project ask was to create an online contest that easily allowed the participating partners (Marvel/Sons of Anarchy/UFC) to re-skin the templates for their contest needs.
AUTHORIZED RENTALS
Improved Rental Experience For All – Globally
"Good job guys! The team on both sides of the pond were really impressed with our work, so thank you all so much for hitting this one out of the park!"
– Lorysa Rossnagel, PM, Sapient
VISIT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AUTHORIZED TOURS
Date: 01.2013 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Responsibilities: Estimated, planned & responsible for the Experience Design track; analyzed industry best practices & competitive review; translated business needs, project requirements & technical specifications into meaningful interactive experiences; created detailed user experience documentation which included sitemaps & wireframes; presented & reviewed interaction designs with client stakeholders for approval.
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In the past, once a customer selected a dealer to book a rental with, the user was taken to a different experience conducted on the Rentcentric platform. This experience was not only inconsistent with H-D.com but it also presented additional challenges:
- Pick-up & drop-off date selection were difficult to find
- Poor layout/typography made scanning & comparing difficult
- Bike availability was confusing
- Pricing was unclear step to step
Sapient was tasked to re-design the entire customer journey from beginning to end in order to optimize the user experience & increase conversion.
ADDITIONAL WORK
PROJECT LIVEWIRE
VISIT PROJECT LIVEWIRE
Date: 08.2014 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Harley-Davidson unveiled its first electric motorcycle: Project LiveWire. The bike isn’t going on sale, but Harley is inviting everyone to take a test ride. Features of the site include: Sapient’s first fully-responsive site for H-D, an interactive map showing upcoming Experience Tour stops & a social aggregator component that dynamically pulls in tweets & Instagram images.
RIDE PLANNER
VISIT H-D RIDE PLANNER
Date: 10.2012 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Build your ride on your desktop & take it with you on the road. Find Harley dealers, motorcycle events, gas stations, hotels & attractions along the way. Involvement limited to initial concepting.
WORLD RIDE
Date: 06.2012 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Launched in 2008 as HOG’s Million Mile Monday, the annual event was expanded into the two-day Harley-Davidson World Ride in 2012 to give more riders worldwide an opportunity to participate. In 2012, participants logged 7,799,140 miles. In 2013, riders shattered last year’s record mileage total by collectively logging more than 10 million miles – a 28 percent increase over the 2012 total.
IRON ELITE
VISIT IRON ELITE
Date: 01.2012 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
H-D Iron Elite celebrates African American riders & their impact on the culture of motorcycling with stories, videos, custom bike galleries & more.
Consumer Online Credit Application
Date: 10.2012 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Re-design of the consumer user flow for the submission & approval process of the Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) credit application.
Museum
Date: 08.2011 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Creative concepting exercise in pursuit to win the opportunity to redesign the Harley-Davidson Museum site.
"They were clearly very excited by the depth & quality of thinking from the strategy point of view & of course there’s nothing like seeing creative comps to start to make it 'real' for them. Initial response to the designs was wide-eyed delight, both as a visual expression of the strategy & just as pure inspiration.
So giant kudos to the team for showing why SapientNitro is like a Nobel-prize winning supermodel: We bring world class thinking combined with jaw-dropping beauty."
– Elliott Smith, CD, Sapient
Harlistas
VISIT HARLISTAS
Date: 03.2012 | Agency: Sapient | Role: Experience Design Lead
Harlistas – saluting Latino Harley riders & the bold statement of freedom they each make to the world. Project objective: Enhance the Harlista's section to support the goals of the Hispanic outreach segment in an effort to grow the pool of Hispanics who want to learn to ride & move intenders along the engagement path to purchase a Harley sooner.
"Thanks to the whole team, not an easy one but the end result looks great & I'm especially pleased that in the end they chose our solution over the one they initially prescribed!"
– Elliott Smith, CD, Sapient
KIND WORDS ON MENTORSHIP
"Sapient has provided me with many opportunities to express my ideas & opinions & a safe environment where I’ll be heard. What is most exciting to me is that I am able to contribute despite being new to the company as an individual that is just beginning a career. The environment is very encouraging.
I have also been very lucky to be paired with an incredibly knowledgeable supervisor that has provided me with excellent guidance & opportunity. I have essentially been set up to learn, grow & succeed; this is everything a new grad could hope for in a new job.
My experience at SapientNitro has proved to be highly valuable in beginning my career. I have enjoyed working as an Information Architect & am confident that I will continue to pursue this direction. I have learned new software programs, how to create detailed wireframes & how to present my work to clients. More specifically, a few takeaways from my project work are as follows: keep in mind who the users are, design for current & future state, consider the potential for change, bear in mind the stakeholders, objectives & constraints of a project, try to implement the element of storytelling whenever possible & be aware of timelines."
– Stacey Howchin, Associate IA, Sapient