My Role.
UX/UI designer. I designed the cloud storage service. I was resposible for the user research, user flows, prototyping, and visual design. I based my design iterations on my user research.
The Problems.
Needing to access a file without having your laptop.
Filling up storage on your laptop.
Having to use an external hard drive.
Not being able to easily share files with others.
What is Nebula?
Nebula, is a new and fresh take on Cloud Storage. Starting with the UI, which is minimalistic and modern, with a heavy focus on making sure the user understands our platform with no confusion. Cloud storage services can feel very complex and confusing, Nebula is neither of these things!
What do user’s want?
Although there are other big name competitors in the Cloud Storage business, I strongly believe there is room for more. Based on my research, users like the idea of using a company’s platform that specializes in Cloud Storage. Rather than using a company such as google, they want the platform to be specialized, and to be only for Cloud Storage without complicated add ons or confusing websites.
What do user’s dislike?
Throughout my user research, I was able to see that there are things that users felt they were not getting from their current cloud storage service. One of the top frustrations users have, is that the service they use is hard to navigate. Most users do not feel like they know how to utilize all of the features their service has to offer.
User Survey
I was able to see what users are liking, and not liking about their current cloud storage service. Dropbox was the number one used service, with Google Cloud as a runner up. There are several reasons that users are using a storage service. The number one reason is to save work content. The second most common reason is to save photos/videos, and to share content with others. The number one reason users like using a cloud storage service, is so that they can access their files from anywhere they have internet access. The number one issue users have with their cloud storage are the technical issues that can occur while they are actively using their accounts.
My opinion on this, is that people are not being educated enough about what cloud storage is and why it is so important to use on a day to day basis. It is easy to see from the results I obtained, the major things that users like/dislike about their service. It is most important for users to be able to access files from anywhere, and that the biggest issue users have, are their services having technical issues.
Iterate
I focused on simplifying the home page. Due to the fact that there are many different usages for cloud storage, it can lead to a complicated and text heavy home page. I knew that I could not just have one main focus for Nebula, or it would not reach enough different audiences. I chose to make it especially easy for users to save their work content, and save their photos/videos. This targets two kind of users, one is the for work, and one is for pleasure. Each user can be looking for both, and can utilize these use cases simultaneously. I added the meeting rooms after doing some user testing, and realizing that this could be a really useful tool, and further the user’s need for the product.
Challenges & Future Changes
I had a very limited timeline for this project, which in turn created some struggles of course. The data collected, showed me a few things I would focus my energy on changing in the future. I would make the workspace more customizable, I think I really limited the user in this area. I made these decisions to keep it simple, yet I think the user who is utilizing this part of the product is more than capable of further customizing, and would want this flexibility. Given that most companies use an online workspace, it is not hard for them to understand, and due to the amount of products for workspaces, this is important to keep us current.
Wireframes.
Branding.
Nebula is a fresh take on cloud storage, starting with the name, which is the latin word for “galaxy” or “a cloud in space”. I have used a color palette including purple and blue. I chose purple because it evokes a feeling of creativity, and quality. Both important feelings for Nebula to portray. The secondary color, blue, evokes the feelings of trust, calmness, and honesty. I created a simple logo, that feels very on brand with the name. It stands out due to the rounded curly ends, and looks great at any size.
