The Challenge

ADP Research Institute produces rigorous workforce data, but dense reports and technical language created a "Cognitive Barrier." For the audience, the experience was overwhelming, making it difficult to interpret relevance or extract value. The research risked being misunderstood or ignored, preventing the mission "to benefit the modern workforce" from reaching its potential.

Experience Goals

  • Humanize Complexity: Make technical data relatable and intuitive.

  • Minimize Cognitive Load: Reduce friction without oversimplifying the insights.

  • Establish Authority: Build trust through clarity, consistency, and intentional design.

  • Prioritize Meaning: Help people grasp the why behind the information.

  • Humanize Complexity: Make technical data relatable and intuitive.


  • Minimize Cognitive Load: Reduce friction without oversimplifying the insights.


  • Establish Authority: Build trust through clarity, consistency, and intentional design.


  • Prioritize Meaning: Help people grasp the why behind the information.

Approach

This was not a surface-level refresh; it was an intervention in how information is processed and remembered. We applied a Psychology-Led Strategy, prioritizing structure over decoration to guide attention and support comprehension. By focusing on "Choice Architecture" within the reports, we ensured non-technical audiences could navigate complex insights without fatigue.

Key Experience Decisions

Data for Understanding, Not Spectacle

Visualizations were restrained and insight-led. Instead of showcasing complexity, charts were designed to surface "The Big Idea" quickly, allowing for immediate comprehension.

Strategic Hierarchy to Reduce Friction

We used strong visual anchors to allow for scanning and "layering" of information. This allowed users to orient themselves and choose where to dive deeper, preventing data overwhelm.

Consistent Systems to Anchor Trust

A cohesive visual system across all reports and digital touchpoints reinforced credibility. This consistency made the institute feel reliable, authoritative, and distinct.

Bridging the Perception Gap

The identity was designed to balance ADPri’s independence with ADP’s legacy. This ensured the institute could stand as a credible research body while still leveraging the trust of the parent brand.

Outcome

  • Increased Utility: A more approachable, usable way to engage with global research.

  • Scalable Architecture: A visual and data system that supports long-term growth.

  • Measured Impact: Contributed to doubling user engagement and securing project funding.

  • Authority: Established ADPri as a premier, independent source of workforce truth.

  • Increased Utility: A more approachable, usable way to engage with global research.


  • Scalable Architecture: A visual and data system that supports long-term growth.


  • Measured Impact: Contributed to doubling user engagement and securing project funding.


  • Authority: Established ADPri as a premier, independent source of workforce truth.

Contact

Have a project in mind?

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hello@fruitlabstudio.com

Fruit Lab is an independent strategy and design studio that uses behavioral psychology and human-centered design to build the brands, systems, and solutions that ensure great missions reach their full potential and result in real, lasting, and impactful change.

hello@fruitlabstudio.com

Copyright © 2026 Fruit Lab.

Fruit Lab is an independent strategy and design studio that uses behavioral psychology and human-centered design to build the brands, systems, and solutions that ensure great missions reach their full potential and result in real, lasting, and impactful change.

hello@fruitlabstudio.com

Copyright © 2026 Fruit Lab.

Fruit Lab is an independent strategy and design studio that uses behavioral psychology and human-centered design to build the brands, systems, and solutions that ensure great missions reach their full potential and result in real, lasting, and impactful change.

hello@fruitlabstudio.com

Copyright © 2026 Fruit Lab.

Fruit Lab is an independent strategy and design studio that uses behavioral psychology and human-centered design to build the brands, systems, and solutions that ensure great missions reach their full potential and result in real, lasting, and impactful change.

hello@fruitlabstudio.com

Copyright © 2026 Fruit Lab.