Microsoft Surface 1.0 UX Enhancements

June 2007 – Keywords: Touch Screen, Interactive Table

In keeping with the user experience concepts behind the new music application, Microsoft asked us to expand upon the functionality of the previously designed applications to make them feel more tangible and tactile.

Prior to starting Variate Labs, Miles worked as a senior user experience designer at Schematic Inc. in Los Angeles. The Microsoft Surface project aimed to create the first mass market touch-screen based furniture in the United States. Miles designed additional functionality that was added to multiple applications in that came with each Microsoft Surface Table 1.0.

We worked with the Microsoft Surface team to reimagine functionality in the digital menu and virtual concierge applications. For the digital menu application, we created more spatial depth in the system and proposed creating a menu system that would carousel into the depth of the space to enable more flexibility in the items it housed as well as visual delight. We also designed a virtual tip calculator that could be shown adjacent to credit cards that were placed directly onto the table. Microsoft Surface has a number of partners that use these tables in retail and hospitality environments. As part of this project we reimagined the background and user experience rules behind how branding would be shown in each application. In the virtual concierge, we reimagined how this application could be used in a casino and how the functionality could be tailored to their specific needs.

This application has been built and implemented across all Microsoft Surface Tables and was integral in steering the future of music applications across both Microsoft Surface 1.0 and Microsoft Surface 2.0.

More information about Microsoft Surface developments can be found on theMicrosoft Surface Website. A new version of the Microsoft Surface platform, Surface 2.0 is currently on the market.

Branded Experience

Microsoft Surface has a number of partners that use these tables in retail and hospitality environments. As part of this project we reimagined the background and user experience rules behind how branding would be shown in each application.

Spatial Menu Carousel

We created more spatial depth in the system and proposed creating a menu system that would carousel into the depth of the space to enable more flexibility in the items it housed as well as visual delight.

Physical Tip Calculator

We also designed a virtual tip calculator that could be shown adjacent to credit cards that were placed directly onto the table.

Branded Virtual Concierge

In the virtual concierge, we reimagined how this application could be used in a casino and how the functionality could be tailored to their specific needs.