VMware

VMware needed help creating a vision internally for the next-gen of networking and security, powered by AI/ML. Inspiring confidence, and creating alignment with internal stakeholders was a critical element of our charter.

CHALLENGE & CONTEXT

In close collaboration with VMware executives, stakeholders, designers, and product managers, I worked to conceive and design a shared vision:

Alignment workshops: We brought key insights from deep dives and facilitated cross team alignment on objectives, resources, schedules, and more.

Model definition: For complex systems, we reveal relationships between key elements with a user-centric view that support strategic decisions.

Visiontype: A design prototype that demonstrates big ideas in a realistic way—to align, inspire, and excite cross-disciplinary teams.

APPROACH & SOLUTION

Brought true visibility to end-user infrastructure with “one click” enabled by AI/ML and reduced human error.

Defined a three-year roadmap through an inclusive and collaborative process that established VMware as a leader in this rapidly-expanding space.

Alignment workshops

The design and product management teams met over many sessions at VMware’s Palo Alto headquarters to align on objectives, dates, and context.

During the workshops we assessed the competitive landscape, brought in experts, and reviewed initial directions for system models and outlined additional research and exploration.

Model definition

As we dove deeper into the problem domain, we produced several conceptual maps. These artifacts allowed us to explore and communicate our understanding of the constituent components of various parts of the system, the relationships between them, and how they work together to serve particular system functions.

We created each of these maps to help us better understand particular aspects of the system, which we expressed as framing questions:

  • What security components does the system know?

  • What defines an application?

  • How might the system secure and optimize networks?

  • How might system secure and optimize applications?

Visiontype: Concepting

We started by creating an inventory of the screens we expected to have to work on, based on the storyboards. Then we moved on to produce freehand sketches that explored specific challenges for these screens, such as element hierarchy, navigation elements, labeling, interactions, and interface elements.

Visiontype: Visual design

As the user interface elements took shape, we elevated the design process to a higher level of fidelity, exploring visual design directions. Building on VMware’s existing design system we analyzed, extended, and refined key visual elements, ensuring a cohesive UI. Click images for detail

Visiontype: Prototype

VMware envisions a unified, intelligent NetSec system that can correlate real-time events, detect anomalies, and proactively recommend ways to better secure and optimize the network.

Key scenarios were built out in an interactive prototype suitable for testing, socializing with stakeholders, and presented at the VMware Explore conference.

We created a future vision for VMware that drove support from key executives—expanding investment in the now critical cybersecurity sector.

Framework Design
Established a key UXD framework for the platform, that worked for legacy, inflight, and future VMware initiatives.

User-centered Roadmap
Defined a three-year roadmap through a user-centered process, establishing VMware as a leader in the space.

Easy to use AI/ML
Brought true visibility into complex infrastructure with “one click” functionality enabled by AI/ML, eliminating human error.