This was an IDEO consulting project for Microsoft in 2005.
Our task was to rethink Outlook Express, renamed Windows Live Mail, and improve the experience for the regular consumer (in opposition to the corporate driven Outlook). After field user research and analysis, we arrived on a proposal that would bring a rich and visual experience to the ordinary tasks of reading emails, sharing photos and organizing personal payment records.
Magazines were the main inspiration, with focus on typography and layout. Large photos, visual hierarchy and white space allowed a pleasant and fast browsing experience.
Our task was to rethink Outlook Express, renamed Windows Live Mail, and improve the experience for the regular consumer (in opposition to the corporate driven Outlook). After field user research and analysis, we arrived on a proposal that would bring a rich and visual experience to the ordinary tasks of reading emails, sharing photos and organizing personal payment records.
Magazines were the main inspiration, with focus on typography and layout. Large photos, visual hierarchy and white space allowed a pleasant and fast browsing experience.
Initial screen, with an overview of email activity and other feeds.
Viewing an email. Subject, author, body and attachments are displayed in a magazine-like layout.
Composing an email. Several templates and snap to grid attachment positioning.
Attachments browser.
