Windows 8

Start Screen Background Creator

This project is intern project at Microsoft during the summer, 2013. The Start motion backgrounds are a personalization delighter in Windows 8.1. I worked with personality design, PM, dev and test interns and their leads to design, spec and build an app that creates custom Start background in Windows 8 visual language. I not only identified the key scenarios, goals and requirements of this app, but also designed application’s complete wireframe and visual design. I also worked on the design of the app UX, as well as the visual and motion output from the app.

During the design process, design iteration(sketch, user research and validation, visual design work, prototype) has been executed. During the design iteration, design reviews have been taken place regularly by my manager and design team to ensure the direction of the visual language can indeed align with Personality of Windows.
Final deliverable of the application was complete interaction flow along with visually polished design include motion backgrounds.

Windows 8 Start Screen Background Creator

Date: Aug, 2013 / 12 weeks
Collaborated with S/W developer, Product Manager
Professional Field Project
Skill Used: Visual, Motion, Interaction Design


See complete interaction flow

Design Principle

Creative exploration can be delightful

Identify the boundary between challenge and boring.

Simple and Fluid UX

A masterpiece can stem from a clear and intuitive process.

Embrace personal vision

Our personality is how we express ourselves. Embrace unique perspectives and invite personal expression.

Align with Windows experience

Our design patterns reflect windows principles and visual language. Make tattoo to fit to Windows experience.

Inspire new expression

Support seed of inspiration for their own unique tattoo.


Design goal

Allow users express their identity with start screen background without compromising Window’s visual personality


Let them make personalized start background within 10 mins.

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Wireframe Iterations

There was 4 wireframe iterations. During this iteration, I closely worked together with my feature crew, S/W developer, PM

 

Ver. 1



Ver. 2



Ver. 3



Ver. 4


Final Design

Final deliverable was complete interaction design flow with visually polished design, and 5 provided background themes.





























See complete interaction flow

“

If this application shipped, I would definitely use it. This is what customer wants to express their identity with Windows 8 start screen.

Ben Perry, Windows Design Team
“

It was really fun getting to know Gilbert during the project. He was all helpful in answering my questions and made me feel completely at ease. The design ended up being twice as good as I could have ever envisioned!

Mark Levin, Windows Product Manager
“

You achieved this through effectively ramping up on our design principles and patterns, closely reviewing work with your lead, coach and partners and iterating quickly. You have been good at taking feedback, not afraid to ask questions and contribute your own ideas. You demonstrated a strong customer focus in the thoughtful approach you took to develop project design goals and understand user’s motivation for personalization. You drove an open-ended design problem to a realizable solution. You are enthusiastic, motivated and have a positive attitude.

Moneta Ho Kushner, Windows Design Team Lead Designer
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