Enhancing the UX of creating a
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
In the first step of creating a VDI users select the apps that they want to use (on a page exhibiting apps’ icons or using Search). Next, they select the server region from where they want their PC to be hosted. The background work for this takes time ~ (30sec - 2min).
We saw this as an opportunity to engage with the new user, and for that we came up with the idea of a transitory page where we show the user relevant information like - latency, internet speed, the apps that one has selected as a confirmation, PC configuration, and meanwhile what is happening in the background. For the last bit we used visual cues indicating that the space is building.
My Role
Being the sole designer on this, I worked closely with the Product Manager, a front-end and 2 back-end developers.
I also closely collaborated with the users to define their challenges and requirements. Following the iterative design process,
I created several versions of high-fidelity wire frames and regularly presented it to the stakeholders to get their feedback.
Requirement
The direction of a Multi-app screen as the start point for creating a VDI, so that it is intuitive for first time users, where they can be onboarded hassle-free without affecting their workflow and they can start using their virtual desktop quickly.
Solution
The product’s UX of Browser based computing should feel like the native UX the user is familiar with (e.g. - Windows OS)
Introduction
What is Neverinstall? How does it work?
Neverinstall is Personal Cloud Computer Company.
Its technology simplifies the process of virtualization, removing
the complexity associated with the usual VDI (Virtual Desktop Interface) and DAAS (Desktop as a Service) solutions.
Neverinstall container-izes applications, where these containers have a virtual operating system and all the necessary elements required to run in any environment, from either a private data center or a public cloud or even on a personal computer. The product has been designed for the community of developers.
Internet
(as low as 5 mbps)
About
The Product
‘Revolutionizing the way software is accessed by eliminating the need for traditional app installations’
1
2
Screen 1 : Existing Interface
Screen 2 : Redesigned Interface
1
INTRODCTION
Define
User Goals
Scope of work
Key Insights
2
Design
Make various iterations
3
Develop
High Fidelity Screens
Develop the finalized iteration into a usable Product
Testing
4
Design
Framework
Discover
Understanding the Product
Secondary Research
Primary Research
Info. Architecture
1
PRODUCT ROADMAP
Information
Architecture
B2C
We started with this journey where my role was to research & provide insights.
B2B
In this phase we researched & worked on developing a product for businesses.
EXISTING PRODUCT ANALYSIS
History
Of The Product
I joined Neverinstall when it was almost two years old. By then the product had gone through three iterations, but it was yet to fulfill it’s product market fit. I came in and designed the fourth one, which got us through that stage and also resulted in 88% growth of the offering measured over 6 months.
Existing Design
In the third iteration the apps were categorized, the platform’s apps offering increased from the previous two iterations. The major feature that was added was - ‘My spaces’ where a user could add apps, with basic action buttons to - start, pause or delete their VDI.
PRIMARY RESEARCH
USER PERSONA
USER INTERVIEW
DEFINE
DEFINE
User
Research
User
Flow
Clustering
The Insights
Insights
We conducted user research to identify the pain points and requirements of the target audience.
We used methods such as phone interviews, surveys, and performed usability testing.
One example of our research was analyzing how users use products like Xbox, Play Station and Windows OS.
Key Takeaways:
50% of all professionals interviewed were dissatisfied with the performance of their office’s hardware.
40% of all individuals interviewed were dissatisfied with their computer's performance, specifically citing slowdowns while running heavy software.
“I face the challenge of setting up the development environments, especially when using heavy applications like VS Code and Android Studio. With traditional setups, downloading and installing these applications can take a significant amount of time and may require manual configuration.”
“Developers often require specific tools and applications to support their workflow. However, installing and managing these applications across different devices can be cumbersome.”
“Heavy development tools like VS Code and Android Studio can require significant computational resources, including processing power and memory. Running these tools on personal devices may lead to performance issues or resource contention with other applications.”
Landing page
Muti app
Launch
Login
Transitory
Vapp Dock
Header CTAs
Select apps and region
Sign up for free
Individual developers and Small-scale-product company’s developers who:
Can share containerized applications within their team without worrying about dependencies, making it easier to work together on projects.
Want to run heavy software like VScode Android Studio and Terminal
Want to optimize resource usage, allowing them to make the most out of their hardware infrastructure and reduce costs
Want to collaborate more effectively across teams.
The product’s UX of Browser based computing should feel like the native UX the user is familiar with (e.g. - Windows OS)
Creating VDI should be as fast a process as possible.
The design should cater to ‘Product’ builders.
The product installation & kick start UX should work similar to an App store (e.g.- Google Play, Apple’s App Store)
App Selection
All the applications provided by Neverinstall are stacked based on their categories.
Application Tray
This is the space where the user would be able to see the applications and extensions they have selected.
Footnotes:
The user should be able to deselect the applications easily as well.
There should be an interaction to select the server region and a launch VDI button in the tray.
Popular app recommendations
Providing this for a much faster VDI experience.
Footnotes:
Also grouped further into folder-like interaction that get added in one shot in the Application Tray.
Community
Provide links to join the various developer communities like Reddit, Discord
Thank You
