GUI DESIGN / CODING
Organization
U4EA (pronounced "Euphoria") Technologies was a UK-based high-tech start-up, focused on next-generation network Quality of Service (QoS) technologies. It also had offices in Fremont, CA and Sophia Antipolis, France. At peak, it had about 200 staff.
Program/Project
Software/firmware/hardware for advanced network management.
My Role
User Interface Designer/Developer for first 3 phases of the technology’s evolution, over a 6-year period. I sat with the core R&D and Development teams in Bristol, UK and reported to the Head of Engineering.
User Interface Team Lead, managing two junior managers and overall UI direction.
My Responsibilities
Requirements analysis for software-based user interface.
Conceptual design of user model for QoS network management, to support:
> multiple traffic types
> trade-off between loss vs. delay for each traffic type
> intelligent default settings, with potential to define highly customized rules
> multiple traffic types
> trade-off between loss vs. delay for each traffic type
> intelligent default settings, with potential to define highly customized rules
Workflow/use case analysis, to inform hierarchy/layout of primary/secondary screens.
Iterative design of all GUI screens, using pencil sketches.
Developed prototypes in Java, then 2 generations of GUI to support trade shows and client site demos.
Developed Production-grade GUI in Java, using Swing plus several custom components.
Worked with third party graphic designer to generate custom artwork and iconography.
Supported Technical Author with documenting user-facing concepts.
Managed 2 teams of UI designers/engineers, tasked with creating an early web-based GUI and a clean interface between the Java GUI code and several fast, low-level modules coded in C.
Supported Sales team at major trade shows in the US (e.g. VON in San Jose, Atlanta, and Boston).
Attended a couple of client sites (Cisco in Philadelphia, PA; Time Warner Cable in Herndon, VA) to install/support Alpha trials.Challenges & Opportunities
Designing a GUI to support very disparate user needs:
> 2-minute elevator pitch with C-level staff at trade shows
> very advanced technical users running proof-of-concept trials
> 2-minute elevator pitch with C-level staff at trade shows
> very advanced technical users running proof-of-concept trials
Figuring out how best to present some wholly new concepts, while maximizing reuse of existing user knowledge/expectations, for custom GUI components. For example, a grid component that supported advanced drag-and-drop operations, and a history of previous (complex) user actions. Design Patterns were invaluable.
Adapting to a very dynamic start-up environment, with several changes of direction, and management personnel.I had an exceptional Manager, who supported me studying for Java professional certifications.
High-fidelity pencil sketches of draft designs
and example screens from Alpha release