Showcasing Microsoft digital transformation solutions.
Project: Interactive Experience
Role: Concept Development, Visual Direction, UI/UX Design
Firm: Valence, Inc.
The Microsoft Technology Centers empower digital transformation and business outcomes for Microsoft partners and customers through immersive experiences. Technical Architects lead the MTC engagements.
Challenge
The Technical Architects needed an Interface that could showcase Experience Packs. Experience Packs are a curated set of compelling storytelling assets that enable Technical Architects or potential customers to tell industry stories and bring the solutions to life.
Process & Approach
I joined another designer on a six-month endeavor to create more industry experience packs and build an interface that could expand across multiple industries. We began by having informal interviews with the Microsoft lead TA’s to learn about their process for engaging with customers and what they needed to tell digital transformation stories successfully.
They wanted to immerse customers in industry solutions and interact with different assets to understand the solution better.
Exploration
With this information, the discovery and explorations began, which included user flows (done by another designer), site maps, visual brainstorming, and wire-framing.
Mega Map Creation
Part of the process included creating a Mega Map for each industry. The mega map would become the primary navigation landing area for the user. After the brainstorming, I put together mood boards and sketched out the based scene before using a combination of stock and custom illustrations to build the maps.
Reviewing Navigation
I reviewed the current navigation build to find points of improvement, which resulted in several navigation iterations that explored improving user navigation and aligning with the Microsoft branding.
Prototypes
Finally, I created wireframes and prototypes to explore the new visual direction with the updated Microsoft branding.
Ensuring Consistency
In addition, I wanted to make sure the design was on brand and well received by TA’s worldwide. So working closely with leads in America and Internationally, we built on their first-hand knowledge to create flexible experience guidelines that would allow for future industry growth.
Results
The Microsoft team leads were very happy with the newly aligned Microsoft branded experience. The users can easily navigate an immersive interactive experience that brings technology solutions to life.
The design makes it so customers can interact with the experiences independently or have a guided tour by the technical architects using the demo assets and reference materials provided.
The design makes it so customers can interact with the experiences independently or have a guided tour by the technical architects using the demo assets and reference materials provided.
Check It Out! Watch the walkthrough video here.
