Migration of HockeyApp to Microsoft Mobile Center.

Users are testers that can find, download, and install applications that they have been invited to test.

After talking to users, we found out notifications would get overwhelming quickly. We limited notification to be in-app.

Prototype showing how a user can tap or click on an app to see the app details (icon, title, version number, latest release notes).

Testing revealed users want to refresh the app details with a pull-to-refresh motion.

Using an agile methodology allowed us to identify an MVP and deliver three fully functional apps in 4 sprints.

Mobile Companions for Visual Studio App Center

Background:

Microsoft acquired HockeyApp, a beta app distribution and crash reporting service, intending to integrate its functionality into Visual Studio App Center. As the Lead Designer, I ensured this integration was achieved seamlessly, specifically focusing on building iOS, Android, and Windows apps while preserving the distinct look and feel of Microsoft's Visual Studio App Center.

Challenge:

The primary challenge involved harmoniously merging the functionality of HockeyApp with Visual Studio App Center's established design framework across different platforms (iOS, Android, Windows).

My Role:

As Lead Designer, my tasks included understanding HockeyApp's core features, outlining user personas, designing the UI/UX based on Visual Studio App Center's guidelines, and performing iterative testing and refinements.

Approach:

We adopted an iterative design approach and leveraged agile methodologies. This involved close collaboration with the creative director and the development team, enabling swift prototyping, testing, and refining our designs.

Process:

We began with a deep dive into HockeyApp's features, studying its user interaction models and conducting user research to understand its usage patterns. This informed our design process as we created sketches, wireframes, and prototypes that combined HockeyApp's functionality with Visual Studio App Center's aesthetic. Regular design reviews with the creative director and iterative refinements based on user feedback were crucial for this process.

Challenges & Overcoming Them:

Merging two distinct design languages while ensuring consistency across different platforms was complex. We overcame this by developing a shared design language, adhering to each platform's specific design guidelines, and using agile methodologies for swift adaptation and iteration.

Outcomes:

Our collaborative and iterative approach successfully launched the integrated iOS, Android, and Windows apps. The apps maintained the look and feel of the Visual Studio App Center while integrating the functionality of HockeyApp, leading to positive user feedback about their enhanced usability and workflows.

Objectives:

Our key objective was to unify the functionality of HockeyApp with the Visual Studio App Center's user interface, ensuring a consistent and familiar user experience across all platforms.