Buildkite
Summary
Buildkite is a tool used by the world’s biggest software teams like Uber, Airbnb and Canva to securely test and deploy their code. I’ve led product design for a little over 10 months, during which time I’ve been helping the business build human-friendly solutions to some tough technical problems. Read more
Visual evolution Direct link
I’ve introduced the tools and team processes that facilitate change. I lead by example — by coaching and writing, by being an unblocking function to teams, by leading research and by implimenting modern customer-centric design practices. I have also been hands-on designing, with a primary focus on evolving the visual language, focussing on accessibility and setting UX standards that will scale.
These changes are best demonstrated with before/after screens — and show how we achieve a full app redesign in 1% incrimental improvements:
BKUI Direct link
To enable consistency and ease as the team grows, I started a cross-functional initiative to establish a Buildkite Design System, ‘BKUI’. Taking what I’d learned from creating similar design systems in the past — I started by creating a group-owned system with creativity and documentation considered from the outset.
The shared system has been a great opportunity to create both new visual styles, and update some existing UI that was starting to date the product. It was also the chance to inject new and more unique styles with more personality.
Make it fun! Direct link
It’s no secret that I want to bring a more colourful, fun and human visual style to Buildkite. I want a collaborative, inclusive product that truly embraces the weird… and rejects the gatekeeping and male-centric aesthetic that has become so synonymous with tech. People first, not code.
I see my role as Principal — in addition to coaching and design enablement — to elevate the creative bar and set a visual tone for where we want to be. Every release, every project and update is a step in that direction.
