Skype Outlook integration
As Outlook and Skype were part of the same umbrella of products at Microsoft, it was decided that there would be an integration for the web app to ad value for the users of both products bringing the capabilities of both products together.
Role
Lead visual and interaction designer in charge of collaborating with the Outlook designers, PMs and developers.
Challenges
- Having a good balance between the two products was a big challenge, both sides of the equation had a strong opinions about who should be guiding the visual implementation.
- Office and Skype had a different grid, different color palette and different visual elements to represent elements like contacts, or specific iconography.
Results
- This projects required a good set of soft skills to achieve the right compromises between the two products.
- We adjusted Skype grid to match Office, but kept our flavor and brand to make sure users were able to recognize the product easily, and felt familiar.
- We adjusted specific layouts on the product so both products felt consistent and coherent sharing the same space.