Overview
Migrated Highlights, High Five, and Hello magazine order functionality from the sunsetting CDS Global Engage platform to their existing Adobe Commerce site using multi-store architecture—a strategic consolidation I proposed to reduce costs, streamline development efforts, and provide customers with a more consistent experience across all touchpoints.
UX Lead
Figma - PHPStorm - Docker - Zeplin
6 months
The Problem
Highlights for Children needed to migrate their magazine subscription ordering due to the CDS Global Engage platform being sunset, creating both strategic and technical challenges:
Business Requiremen – Existing Engage platform required replacement, presenting opportunity for consolidation while maintaining core order form functionality and user experience
Strategic Decision – I championed using Adobe Commerce multi-store features instead of adopting a new third-party solution
Cost & Efficiency Goals – Consolidating to single site architecture would reduce maintenance costs and development overhead
Platform Limitation – Adobe Commerce doesn't natively support single-page order forms like the existing Engage platform
Functionality Adjustments – Minor functional and UI changes required due to platform constraints, requiring management approval
Theme Architecture – Required creating a new base theme for the entire Adobe Commerce site plus recreating existing Highlights theme
Multi-Magazine Support – Needed to accommodate three different magazine brands (Highlights, High Five, Hello) within one store view
The Process
1. Technical Feasibility Analysis
Collaborated with engineering team to understand Adobe Commerce limitations and identify UX workarounds for single-page order form functionality. Used PHPStorm and Docker to provide development team with direct theme update direction.
2. Multi-Store Research & Leadership Presentation
Conducted comprehensive research on Adobe Commerce multi-store implementation and usage, then presented findings to leadership to secure business approval for the strategic consolidation approach.
3. Stakeholder Alignment & Decision Making
Led direct conversations with product owners and stakeholders to define functional requirements, educate on technical constraints, and secure approval for necessary functionality adjustments due to platform limitations.
4. Design System Strategy
Established comprehensive design standards ensuring maximum reuse of existing UI components and preventing duplicate interface elements across the project.
5. Theme Architecture Planning
Designed new base theme structure for Adobe Commerce site, then planned recreation of existing Highlights theme plus new magazine order form theme.
6. Team Direction & Design Approval
Directed UX/UI designer through all design phases, providing final approval on all design decisions and ensuring adherence to established design system.
Solutions
A custom Adobe Commerce store view that replicates single-page order form functionality:
Design System Efficiency – Established standards ensuring maximum reuse of UI components and preventing duplicate interface elements
Stakeholder Leadership – Led direct decision-making conversations with product owners and key stakeholders
Design Leadership – Provided final approval on all design decisions while directing UX/UI designer
Cross-Functional Collaboration – Balanced business requirements with technical limitations through strategic leadership
The Outcome
Successful Platform Migration – All three magazines (Highlights, High Five, Hello) successfully moved to Adobe Commerce
Maintained User Experience – Replicated single-page order form functionality despite platform limitations
Future Scalability – Multi-store architecture provides foundation for additional stores across all marketing channels
Cost-Effective Solution – Successful platform consolidation eliminating need for separate third-party solution
Management Buy-In – Successfully secured approval for necessary functionality adjustments while maintaining core user experience
Design System Consistency – Maintained brand standards across all touchpoints
Cross-Team Alignment – Successfully balanced competing priorities through collaborative leadership
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