Avassa Systems is an application orchestration platform that enables development teams to manage distributed applications at scale across massively distributed locations.
As the first Product Designer on the team, I directed the creation and development of the platform's UX and UI from its inception.
Avassa Systems is an application orchestration platform that enables development teams to manage distributed applications at scale across massively distributed locations.
As the first Product Designer on the team, I directed the creation and development of the platform's UX and UI from its inception.
The Avassa platform represents an advanced solution for deploying containerized applications (e.g., Docker) across a network of geographically dispersed edge sites. This platform is particularly designed for scenarios where applications are deployed in numerous locations, necessitating precise control over version management and placement. Additionally, the platform offers robust monitoring capabilities for both the applications themselves and the sites where they operate. Its primary user base comprises highly skilled application developers and platform/infrastructure engineers.
Upon taking the role of lead UI/UX designer, I encountered an unexpected challenge: many engineers and app developers preferred using a terminal window over a sleek and lightweight UI. This posed a dilemma – how could we ensure their comfort and familiarity with our product, while still delivering an intuitive UI in line with modern, web-based PaaS expectations?
Upon taking the role of lead UI/UX designer, I encountered an unexpected challenge: many engineers and app developers preferred using a terminal window over a sleek and lightweight UI. This posed a dilemma – how could we ensure their comfort and familiarity with our product, while still delivering an intuitive UI in line with modern, web-based PaaS expectations?
To establish a robust foundation for our design process, I conducted thorough qualitative user research, involving interviews with members of a closely-knit testing group. This process provided valuable insights into the needs, preferences, and pain points of our target audience, enabling me to make well-informed design choices.
In the early stages of development, we recognized that offering users the capability to simultaneously utilize forms and input YAML/JSON code within the user interface empowered them with a sense of control reminiscent of their experiences in terminal and IDE environments.
Another key insight emerged regarding the necessity for application teams to monitor the health of their applications comprehensively. Beyond the routine examination of logs, there was a demand for an overarching perspective on whether applications were responding effectively to requests and aligning with expectations. To address this, we devised aggregated views of application health and implemented drill-down functionalities within the user interface, enabling users to delve into container health and logs when necessary.
In the early stages of development, we recognized that offering users the capability to simultaneously utilize forms and input YAML/JSON code within the user interface empowered them with a sense of control reminiscent of their experiences in terminal and IDE environments.
Another key insight emerged regarding the necessity for application teams to monitor the health of their applications comprehensively. Beyond the routine examination of logs, there was a demand for an overarching perspective on whether applications were responding effectively to requests and aligning with expectations. To address this, we devised aggregated views of application health and implemented drill-down functionalities within the user interface, enabling users to delve into container health and logs when necessary.
- Led the design development of the web-based P.a.a.S. from zero to one.
- Conducted extensive UX research to gather insights from the target users.
- Led UX design interns and guided them through the design process in their daily work.
- Part of the product council, contributing to the platform's roadmap and strategy by pressing on the need for design thinking and user research.
- Continuously worked closely with the engineering and product teams to further develop the product.
- Developed and maintained a design system, including a set of design principles and design patterns.
The Avassa platform represents an advanced solution for deploying containerized applications (e.g., Docker) across a network of geographically dispersed edge sites. This platform is particularly designed for scenarios where applications are deployed in numerous locations, necessitating precise control over version management and placement. Additionally, the platform offers robust monitoring capabilities for both the applications themselves and the sites where they operate. Its primary user base comprises highly skilled application developers and platform/infrastructure engineers.
Upon taking the role of lead UI/UX designer, I encountered an unexpected challenge: many engineers and app developers preferred using a terminal window over a sleek and lightweight UI. This posed a dilemma – how could we ensure their comfort and familiarity with our product, while still delivering an intuitive UI in line with modern, web-based PaaS expectations?
Upon taking the role of lead UI/UX designer, I encountered an unexpected challenge: many engineers and app developers preferred using a terminal window over a sleek and lightweight UI. This posed a dilemma – how could we ensure their comfort and familiarity with our product, while still delivering an intuitive UI in line with modern, web-based PaaS expectations?
To establish a robust foundation for our design process, I conducted thorough qualitative user research, involving interviews with members of a closely-knit testing group. This process provided valuable insights into the needs, preferences, and pain points of our target audience, enabling me to make well-informed design choices.
In the early stages of development, we recognized that offering users the capability to simultaneously utilize forms and input YAML/JSON code within the user interface empowered them with a sense of control reminiscent of their experiences in terminal and IDE environments.
Another key insight emerged regarding the necessity for application teams to monitor the health of their applications comprehensively. Beyond the routine examination of logs, there was a demand for an overarching perspective on whether applications were responding effectively to requests and aligning with expectations. To address this, we devised aggregated views of application health and implemented drill-down functionalities within the user interface, enabling users to delve into container health and logs when necessary.
In the early stages of development, we recognized that offering users the capability to simultaneously utilize forms and input YAML/JSON code within the user interface empowered them with a sense of control reminiscent of their experiences in terminal and IDE environments.
Another key insight emerged regarding the necessity for application teams to monitor the health of their applications comprehensively. Beyond the routine examination of logs, there was a demand for an overarching perspective on whether applications were responding effectively to requests and aligning with expectations. To address this, we devised aggregated views of application health and implemented drill-down functionalities within the user interface, enabling users to delve into container health and logs when necessary.
- Led the design development of the web-based P.a.a.S. from zero to one.
- Conducted extensive UX research to gather insights from the target users.
- Led UX design interns and guided them through the design process in their daily work.
- Part of the product council, contributing to the platform's roadmap and strategy by pressing on the need for design thinking and user research.
- Continuously worked closely with the engineering and product teams to further develop the product.
- Developed and maintained a design system, including a set of design principles and design patterns.
Easily deploy a containerized application to thousands of remote edge sites, all from one view. Configure the deployment via the form to the left, or by typing YAML or JSON into the editor to the right.
Seamlessly jump between the UI and the terminal window by providing prepopulated command lines, when necessary. Like, for instance, when installing the Avassa software on an edge site.
Ability to solve a raised alert, by clicking on the row in the alert view and drill down to the nitty-gritty details.
Additional screenshots from the product.
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Product Design • Product Management • Design Sprint
App Design • User Research • Design Sprint