Windows XP Start Menu + Desktop Design The explorations for the redesign of the Start Menu in Windows XP included studies around the relationships of the Desktop paradigm, the Taskbar and the Start Menu. These studies examine how to make common tasks in the Start Menu more accessible to a novice or beginner user. The previous start menus proved difficult for many beginner and novice users. They were unable to traverse and discover what programs were on the computer due to the motor skills necessary to traverse a cascading menu. Our goal was also to clean up the desktop, making a more organized, useful and inviting environment. Before                                                                                    After

                        



Conceptual Explorations

           

Approach + Challenge
The idea was to begin by brainstorming new ways in which the desktop could be utilized. The ideas ranged from reinventing the desktop to redesigning the start menu and it's relationship with the desktop.
The challenge was to address some of the major usability issues the existing start menu and desktop paradigm presented.


Results
The end result was a smarter, more seamless and easier to use desktop and start menu experience.

Role
Lead UX Designer: driving ideas within the design community at Microsoft, liaison with product management, usability and development.

Fonelook Website Design Venturing in to the social networking space with a web product that would explore the possibilities of how people socialize in regards to their consumer and business needs. The goal was to create an environment where people could share ideas, opinions, images and more around their business needs as well as build awareness of what other physical businesses could potentially address their everyday needs based on these relationships. Before                                                                           After

                        



Final Screens

  

Approach + Challenge
We worked to explore all the potential advantages to social networking and the goals for the product. From there we established a UI model that would support the information. Once this was in place we explored ways in which we could capitalize on Ajax and Web 2.0 capabilities.

Results
A fun and inviting environment in which consumers can explore their everyday business needs with trust and enthusiasm!

Role
- Product and feature development
- Information Architecture
- User Interface Design
- Liaison and management with visual design

Hewlett Packard WebApplication Design This inductive, task based server management web application design allows quick, reliable and effective management of large groups of servers. Balancing flexibility and efficiency with confidence, reliability and reassurance were key goals in designing this product.
Before



After




                        


Approach + Challenge
Designed from ground up this automated server web application, for HP OpenView Service Delivery, was designed to address three different levels of users; operators, intermediate and administrative users.

The challenge was to not only to simplify the management of servers but to make the tasks of server management straightforward, clear and concise. Many of the tasks overlapped user groups. To address this issue we broke the main tasks down into areas that would most suit the usage patterns and task of these three users.

Results
The results were: users were able to complete 80% of all major tasks the first time using the product. Decreased time to perform a server management task, such as consolidating a file share, from days to minutes.


Role
Product Development Manager
- User Interface Design
- Information Architecture
- Usability: focus groups, data gathering, usability testing

Release date coming soon! Worked with Resolute Corporation on a ground breaking, Windows based, new product. Watch for more information! Approach + Challenge
Working on a brand new product and new technology is not only challenging but exciting! Together with Marketing and Product Management and all of the existing information they had gathered, we were able to jump right in to working on the design. The results are impressive and will be here soon.

Role

Worked with Product Management, Development and Marketing to create an extraordinary user experience.
This included:
- Information Architechture
- UI Model Development
- User Interface Design
- Feature Enhancement

Vertical Vertical Communications is a leader in IP PBX and VoIP business phone systems. GoDesign worked with Vertical on a next generation future product, due out soon! Approach + Challenge
Its always interesting and exciting to work with a mature product. The challenge here was how to improve existing areas of the product while being careful not to completely change the users current experience, impacting future productivity. Locating problem areas and improving the experience surrounding them, therefore providing a design that would evolve around the users experience, was our main focus.

Results
Are on their way!

Role
Worked with the VP of Development and Product Management to provide an evolutionary next generation design.

SimpleTuition.com SimpleTuition.com is a website that assists students and parents in finding the best student loan possible. Our focus was how to traverse a complex process and present large amounts of data in such a way that a variety of customers feel comfortable in making financial decisions directly from the website.
SimpleTuition.com



Example wireframe for Loan Results and Details




Actual Loan Results and Details page


                        


Approach + Challenge
Entering in to an existing but still emerging product the goal was to improve areas with known usability issues. The approach was to explore and iterate designs addressing these issues. Usability testing was conducted and changes were incorporated into the existing product.

The challenge was to not only to iterate quickly and fold changes into the product while maintaining some consistency and familiarity for the users, but to continue to strive to make a complex, information heavy process understandable and less frustrating for parents and students.

Results
The product not only makes finding and applying for a student loan quick and direct, but presents the user with all the necessary information in an understandable way, making it easy to make the right choice.


Role
User Experience Designer
- Information Architecture
- User Interface Design
- Accessibility Review
- Conducted Usability Testing

Microsoft Server 2000 - Topological Views Microsoft Server 2000 was looking for a more efficient way to monitor the performance for large groups of servers. Visualizing information and navigating that information were key components in improving this experience. Before: PerfMon
                                                                                 




After: MMC based graphical performance monitoring

                




                        


Approach + Challenge
Monitoring the performance of servers was becoming inefficient. The software in use (Perfmon) contained a great deal of information. But due to the organization and presentation of that information, there was a steep learning curve to understanding when a server was experiencing difficulties. It was also very time consuming to troubleshoot a server, because most users never fully learned how to extract this information out of the software in use. The goal was to improve upon this experience implementing a better visualization of the information and improved the interaction, thus improving the overall troubleshooting experience.

- Conducted a user and task analysis to examine what tasks the user needed to complete to be successful in troubleshooting a server in a minimum amount of time. Also determined who these users were, creating personas and scenarios.
- Participated in site visits to examine the environment the software would be used in.
- Determined how to improve the presentation of information in a more effective and efficient manner.

Role
Lead UX Designer
- Information Architecture
- User Interface Design
- Information Visualization
- Worked with usability to acheive the user centered goals that were set. Worked with program management to assure that all functional requirements were met. - Defined all behavioral interactions and navigation schema.


Results
The results were a quick and efficient way to view data and manage servers based on that data. Providing various levels of information in a variety of views as well as easily discoverable ways to navigate the wealth of information provided.
- Signifigantly reduced time in locating and rectifying problems.
- Reduced learning curve, users were effective in troubleshooting, immediately identifying problem areas and driving for a solution to get a server up and running again.

Space Planning: A Common Idea The idea around this design was to make this unused common into an area that would bring together the residents, of all ages, and create a sense of community. The common was not very inviting and was never used. The idea was to make it a more inviting and utilized area, therefore, creating a sense of community among the residents.

Current Common                                                                                 
                                               

Proposed Common

                                  
                

The idea is focused on building a sense of community that would appeal to all the residents. The residents of the complex range from families with both young and older children to retirees. The common area is approximately 400 x 400 feet and is laid out in a diamond shape. Each quadrant currently has trees and benches which would remain. Without changing the actual shape and integrity of the area the work was created around the current 4 quadrant areas to shape the activities. Activities to build on are as follows:

Upper Left Quadrant:

Here I imagine a small putting green, a bocce court and outdoor chess tables. Here both young and old could enjoy some recreation.

Upper Right Quadrant:

This area would contain a play structure for kids.

Lower Left Quadrant:

Here residents could sit around a fire pit, converse and toast marshmallows! They could also utilize the grill and the picnic tables for a BBQ.

Lower Right Quadrant:

This would be the community pea patch where residents could have gardens and trade their produce!

Center:

The center of the common would have a flat water fountain. The water fountain could be large enough to use as a base for an ice skating area in the winter months. It would have benches around it so young and old could sit and enjoy or take a run through on a hot summer day.

Paths:

All of the paths are currently of an organic matter. Because of this they are overgrown and difficult to access for some members of the community who have handicaps. Putting down flagstones, pavers or even asphalt on the paths would make the community area accessible to everyone!