Diagnosing the Design

I began this project with an in-depth analysis of the entire product. I examined everything—from the presence (or lack) of widgets on the home screen to the submenus controlling audio settings. My high level takeaway was that the software seemed to struggle between two competing goals: one as a tool for optimizing system performance and the other as a game launcher for organizing and browsing a game library. While I saw value in both functionalities, I felt that one needed to take priority to more clearly communicate the software’s core purpose.

From Buried to Bold

After documenting all my concerns, I began conceptualizing the next version of this product. I envisioned a sleek, high-performance UI that matched the personality of the PC while maintaining an intuitive and easy-to-use experience. I prioritized the most critical information from each screen and designed a main dashboard that highlighted these key insights. Knowing that finding the perfect balance of information on a dashboard is always a challenge, I made it fully customizable, allowing users to select and arrange widgets from a library to suit their needs. What you see in this case study is my best attempt at defining the ideal combination of data based on my research.

Rethinking the Route

The navigation issue (bulletpoint 3) was more complex than I initially thought. It wasn’t just about the visual design or functionality—it was also about the information hierarchy itself, with overlapping sections creating confusion. I leaned into the concept of familiarity, choosing a structure that users would immediately recognize and understand. At a minimum, this approach ensured users would feel more at ease, having likely encountered a similar hierarchy before.

Blueprints for Speed

I experimented with different layouts, testing the balance and placement of sections to create the most engaging design. I ultimately chose an asymmetrical composition (right) because it conveyed a greater sense of movement, keeping the viewer’s eye on the page longer. This approach also created space in the right gutter, providing a dedicated area for sponsor placements.

Widgets That Work

Bringing Ideas to Life

I envisioned selling this software as part of a bundled package with the computer itself, creating a complete selling point where buyers would not only get the hardware but also a sleek, intuitive interface to maximize its potential. I took a similar approach with this entire portfolio, actually, making the process more engaging for me to create—and hopefully more compelling for the reader.

Beyond the Dashboard

Beyond the dashboard, I redesigned the RGB customization screen to offer a more modern approach to selecting, editing, and applying presets, complete with a preview window for real-time adjustments. To enhance accessibility, I ensured that action buttons had the highest contrast, making it easy for all users to instantly identify key interaction points at a glance.

The audio screen proved to be one of the most challenging aspects of the design. I had to make the tough decision to remove the toggle for switching between Realtek Digital Output and Headphones, as seen in the original design, to reduce unnecessary complexity. Integrating multiple toggle sets—especially with additional controls for Audio Effects, Microphone, and Equalizer—felt overwhelming, both from a design and user experience perspective. I struggled to justify a layout that required managing six dials across three separate toggle groups, and I doubt users would find it intuitive either. If I were in a Product Owner or PM role, I would have recommended defaulting the UI controls to the active audio source at launch and dynamically adjusting the settings based on that selection.

Command, Customize, Conquer

I designed this entire portfolio on my Alienware Aurora R9 and found it incredibly satisfying to redesign a platform I use regularly. I’d love the opportunity to share these improvements in the future, as I believe they could enhance the overall user experience.