.NET website
When:
08.2022 - Present
Role:
UX Designer
Company:
Microsoft,
Developer Division
Overview
As the designated designer for .NET for over two years, I have played an essential role in our overarching brand refresh. This initiative encompassed a complete redesign of our website and all associated brand assets, ensuring a cohesive and modern visual identity.
My responsibilities included:
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Collaborating closely with project managers and partners to gather requirements and translate them into effective design solutions.
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Executing web design requests that enhanced user experience while maintaining brand consistency.
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Developing visual designs that resonate with our target audience and reflect our brand values.
The refresh...
In Phase 1 of our brand refresh, we transformed our home page using elements from our newly established design system. This redesign embraces a fresh visual language, aligning with our updated brand identity.
I built upon the foundational work of Kaitlin Brooks (my manager and Senior Art Director on the team) who laid the groundwork for the design system, ensuring a cohesive and modern look that enhances user experience.
Crafting consistency
Inspired by Microsoft’s Fluent Design System, our standalone library was developed to provide .NET and its website with a distinctive and cohesive visual representation. This design system serves as a foundational framework, offering a set of components, guidelines, and best practices that ensure consistency across all digital touchpoints.
We are committed to ongoing development, continuously building upon this library to create a comprehensive overarching design system. By leveraging modern design principles, we aim to enhance user experience while maintaining our brand identity, allowing for flexible and scalable solutions that adapt to various projects
The design process
The timeline
After marketing sets our go-to-market date, I establish a detailed timeline for each project, a practice I continue for every new web design request. This structured approach involves mapping out key milestones, prioritizing deliverables, and setting realistic deadlines to keep the project on track. By planning each phase—design, feedback, and revisions—well in advance, I ensure that the team is aligned, tasks are completed efficiently, and any adjustments are manageable. This process allows us to consistently meet deadlines while delivering cohesive, high-quality designs that support our brand’s goals.
Content creation process
Once I establish the project timeline, our Product Manager initiates the content creation process with an initial draft. This draft serves as the foundation for the page, addressing core topics and setting the stage for the design. The content then undergoes a team review, where we collaborate to refine it, ensure all essential questions are answered, and confirm that it aligns with the page’s specific goals. This iterative approach to content creation helps us maintain clarity, cohesiveness, and alignment across each project, resulting in pages that effectively communicate our message.
From concepts to wireframes
The web design process starts with a strategic focus on organizing content for clarity and usability. This initial concepts las the groundwork for structuring information in a way that ensures a cohesive and intuitive experience.
From there, wireframes are crafted to establish visual hierarchy and layout, defining the relationships between elements. Iterative design phases follow, where feedback drives refinement of both visuals and functionality, ensuring a balanced blend of form and function.
Chosen concept
Design iteration
Once wireframes are created and reviewed, the initial design phase begins, which is where I dedicate the most time. This stage is all about exploring multiple directions to find the best solutions that align with our project goals. I experiment with different layouts, backgrounds, gradients, and other design elements, continuously iterating to ensure we achieve the ideal balance of functionality and aesthetic appeal. These explorations often result in countless versions, but each iteration brings us closer to a design that effectively addresses our goals and resonates with our audience.
Image creation
Creating imagery that aligns with the .NET brand is a key part of my role. I collaborate with other designers to develop visuals such as custom graphics, icons, and product visuals that enhance the design and communicate our message effectively. Together, we ensure each image complements the overall layout and adds depth to the content, reinforcing brand cohesion. This collaborative process allows us to produce polished visuals that serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, contributing to a consistent and engaging user experience across all .NET assets.
Final Designs
Through thoughtful collaboration and continuous refinement, the design evolves into a cohesive final product that aligns with our set goals. Each element is carefully crafted to ensure it delivers a polished, engaging experience across all digital touchpoints. This collaborative approach allows us to meet high standards of quality, providing an end result that not only captures the essence of the .NET brand but also resonates with our audience, creating a lasting impact.
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