Google CLoud
How might we guide new non-technical builders to build projects through a linear, personalized, and step-by-step experience?
Type
Contract project
Role
Lead UX designer
Team
3 UX designers
5 UX researchers
Project Duration
12 Weeks
Process
/01
Identify problem
How might non-technical users confidently use cloud tools and AI to bring their ideas to life?
/01
Identify problem
How might non-technical users confidently use cloud tools and AI to bring their ideas to life?
/03
User research
10 user interviews and three weeks of diary studies to uncover recurring pain points and barriers.
/03
User research
10 user interviews and three weeks of diary studies to uncover recurring pain points and barriers.
/03
Design ideation
Iterated on new user discovery experiences to support clearer, more seamless building.
/03
Design ideation
Iterated on new user discovery experiences to support clearer, more seamless building.
/04
Final solution
Enabled first-time builders to turn idea to life with an AI-empowered solution generator.
/04
Final solution
Enabled first-time builders to turn idea to life with an AI-empowered solution generator.
Problem + Research
To ground the work in real user needs, we conducted interviews with 10+ Google Cloud developers, alongside diary studies from building a Cornell AI chatbot.
These efforts helped validate recurring usability challenges and surface where first-time builders struggled most.
Pain points
01
Overwhelming complexity
Interviews and diary studies showed beginners struggled to locate a entry point amid dense content.
01
Overwhelming complexity
Interviews and diary studies showed beginners struggled to locate a entry point amid dense content.
02
Poor content discoverability
Users repeatedly had search results that surfaced irrelevant resources instead of foundational guidance.
02
Poor content discoverability
Users repeatedly had search results that surfaced irrelevant resources instead of foundational guidance.
03
Missing guided onboarding
First-time builders described feeling stuck without step-by-step direction to complete basic tasks.
03
Missing guided onboarding
First-time builders described feeling stuck without step-by-step direction to complete basic tasks.
04
Assumed technical expertise
Helper tools and documentation presupposed prior cloud knowledge that users may not have.
04
Assumed technical expertise
Helper tools and documentation presupposed prior cloud knowledge that users may not have.
Design Solution
HMW guide new non-technical builders to build projects through a linear, personalized, and step-by-step experience?
New feature
Get started w/ Console
A new “Get Started” section introduces step-by-step guidance for new users to begin building in the console, pairing hands-on practice with concise tutorial videos for clear, actionable support.
Feature revamp
Explore AI product
Product exploration is redesigned to better surface Google Cloud’s AI offerings through a more interactive, reduced-text experience. This reduced cognitive load and improved approachability for first-time builders.
New feature
Solution generator
A one-stop AI-powered builder hub that decomposes complex workflows into guided, manageable steps, enabling first-time builders to move from idea to execution with confidence.
Highlights
Progressive Personalization
Personalized tabs with Progressive Disclosure to reduces cognitive load while providing detailed responses
Guided, Actionable Onboarding
Step by step guidance with actionable details from beginning to finish, offering stress-free onboarding experience
Visual-First Clarity
With Visual Communication, the conversation is fun and engaging, while providing highest Clarity to ensure the most helpful solution.
