Overview
Problems
— Overwhelming navigation and amount of content
“It was hard to know where information was, where we should be directed to get started working on Vertex AI.”
— Irrelevant search bar results and poor query matching
“The CGC search bar isn't helpful. When we looked for info about Bison, it showed us links to GitHub repositories instead of foundational resources.”
— Lack of clear, step-by-step guidance for non-technical users/beginners
“As a beginner, I felt lost and unable to proceed because there is no clear starting point.”
— No clear or personalized path to finding answers to our questions.
“The website is quite dense already so the experience of navigating the page and getting to the AI generator is not ideal.”
Research
— We created this feasibility-impact matrix to identify key opportunities
Two ideas stood out: increasing the visibility of the Solution Generator and designing a tailored onboarding experience for non-technical users.
How Might We
— Have an initial quiz for a more personalized experience
Improve the solution generator by introducing a short goal-setting quiz to deliver more tailored solutions and recommendations
— Boost the solution generator’s visibility and function
Segment the interface with tabs based on user experience levels and domain backgrounds to personalize the responses
— Provide clear onboarding for non-technical users
Enhance the landing page experience for non-technical users by proposing a beginner section with a clear step-by-step guide
— Emphasize key products in the homepage
Provide a clear overview of key products and direct access to tutorials and documentation
Rethinking Our Approach
Refined How Might We
— Interactivity by default
Steps are personalized to your use case.
— Step-by-Step Guidance with Progressive Disclosure
Reduces cognitive load while providing guidance.
Reflections
— Collaborating Across Silos
I collaborated with Google Cloud designers, Cornell faculty, and peers who all had different visions. At times it was hard to align, but learning to listen deeply taught me how to build trust across silos.
— Growing Through Discomfort
There were moments when I felt stuck or questioned my ideas. But navigating tough feedback and disagreements helped me find my voice and understand when to stand firm or adapt with grace.
— Designing with Heart and Backbone
In the end, I helped deliver a solution that reflected not just a team consensus, but a piece of myself. It reminded me that growth isn’t just about skill—it’s about showing up, staying open, and caring deeply.