L'Oréal Recherche is the research and product development division of the global health and beauty product company. The intranet for this division must support 3,000 researchers working in France, the United States, Japan and China. The intranet consisted of over 50 websites, professional applications and databases on subjects including biology, patents, hair color and laboratory security.
The project
L'Oréal Recherche wanted to create a single intranet portal to integrate the sites for its divisions in Europe, North America and Asia. The portal needed to have a structure that would allow users in each laboratory to find the information they needed, with a visual identity appropriate for the company.
Our approach
In 2003, the former intranet navigation system was based on separate geographic location, an organization which no longer corresponded to the new international organization of L'Oréal's research activities. The intranet was both graphically and ergonically heterogenous. Information Systems support group chose the new Microsoft Sharepoint content management system to re-implement the intranet.
Detail of reorganization plan
K+A developed a new organization scheme that emphasized the transversal research areas, providing researchers in several locations with a unified set of resources for their work. We also defined similar substructures for each section, and a limited number of page templates for organizing information across the sections.
The solution
Detail of graphic template
We created organization diagrams for the entire intranet portal, defining the global navigation that would help researchers find the information they needed according to basic ergonimic principles. To demonstrate the utility of the information architecture and test the visual design, we developed the Information Systems section for testing within the organization.
After creating the basic pattern, we worked with stakeholders to adapt it to specific needs. We employed interviews and discussions with stakeholders in representative laboratories to build appropriate substructures for each specialty area. In each case, we developed site diagrams, wire frames for major pages, and visual designs for discussion and approval. Once the section was approved, stakeholders worked with the Sharepoint development group to build out the content of their section and add it to the global portal.
Color guidelines
We developed a detailed style guide, defining the graphic elements of the site — colors, typography, and icon symbols — as well as guidelines for local navigation and related links on each page. These guidelines were used by authors in each service and laboratory, as well as the Sharepoint development group.
To support the global launch of the intranet portal, we designed and produced a Quick Start guide in French and English, to help users understand the navigation and visual language of the new site.
The result
The intranet portal for L'Oréal Recherche was launched in 2004 and now serves the global product development network.