Microsoft Search Bing

Empowering users with the knowledge and confidence to search effectively and add Microsoft Search Bing to their workflow

Microsoft Search | Find what you need at work with intelligent search results

Timeline

• March, 2022 to the end of July, 2022

My Role

• UX and hands-on product design

my microsoft experience

My first full-time UX / Product Design role, and it is at Microsoft

From March 2022 to the end of July 2022, I served as a contractor at Microsoft, assuming the role of a UX Designer with a specialized focus on Microsoft Search Bing (MSB). The above video demonstrates the versatility of MSB, showcasing its ability to facilitate work-related searches, locate individuals, files, and more.

Throughout this tenure, my primary emphasis was on Engagement. I dedicated myself to ensuring that users could seamlessly integrate MSB into their workflow, transforming it from a mere tool into an essential component of their daily tasks. While the specifics of my work during this period are bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), preventing the display of any screens, I am eager to provide a brief insight into my experience during my time at Microsoft.

I was given the reigns of the Engagement UX early on

During my initial weeks at Microsoft, I assumed a pivotal role in steering the Engagement UX for MSB. My primary objective was to guide users in leveraging MSB for optimal work efficiency and contribute to the augmentation of Daily Average Users (DAU). As I delved deeper into the product, I actively engaged with project managers, developers, and various stakeholders. Over time, my comprehension of the product allowed me to confidently represent the user perspective and design considerations during our daily scrum meetings.

Adding to this, every Thursday, I spearheaded an Engagement sync, facilitating collaboration among all stakeholders and fellow designers involved in Engagement. The early trust vested in me instilled confidence in my abilities, fostering a sense of assurance in delivering results despite encountering initial challenges.

Early struggles became learning experiences

Upon joining Microsoft, I encountered initial challenges, but with the invaluable support and some proactive measures I undertook, I successfully overcame them.

Upon witnessing the innovative explorations of more senior designers for future designs, I initially found myself confined to thinking that this represented the pinnacle of current design possibilities. However, with the unwavering support of my team and collaboration with other designers, I managed to streamline and simplify my explorations.
As a newcomer to the team, I initially perceived that my input held limited weight. In the early stages, despite my efforts to communicate ideas effectively to project managers, there was some initial confusion. To address this, I proactively purchased the book, “Articulating Design Decisions,” which proved to be a valuable resource, offering practical and instantly actionable advice that significantly improved my communication skills.

As a naturally social individual, I discovered that communicating without seeing people's faces felt somewhat off, making it challenging to stay focused. This adjustment became particularly pronounced in my first fully remote, full-time job, where face-to-face interactions were replaced by virtual meetings.
Upon joining, I confronted a multitude of acronyms, terms, team names, and various details to grasp—on top of navigating the intricacies of being a designer at Microsoft. In order to mitigate confusion and effectively respond to queries, I devised a personalized note-taking system, which significantly streamlined and enhanced my learning experience.
Shortly after I joined, our team's UX Researcher transitioned to another team. During a sync with her, I gained valuable data, insights, and information pertinent to the specific area I was focusing on. Despite this, I desired more hands-on involvement in further research activities.
Embrace asking more questions! Even if you think you have an idea, don't hesitate to seek clarification. I've found that asking sooner, even what may seem like a "dumb question," not only saves time but also often results in valuable shared insights for everyone involved. Now, I prioritize asking over spending unnecessary time searching through notes.

While the experience was short, what I gained can’t be replaced

Due to the prevailing economic situation in the tech industry, my tenure at Microsoft concluded earlier than anticipated. Although I couldn't witness the fruition of my work going live, I left with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that the projects were completed before my departure. The experience, albeit brief, was impactful. While I may not have had the opportunity to build as many work relationships as usual, I did establish meaningful connections with individuals whom I intend to stay in touch with.

Despite the testing of my confidence, I successfully delivered work that resonated with stakeholders and was poised for deployment. The prospect of my designs reaching a wide audience using MSB is immensely gratifying. Moreover, the refinement of my skills as a UX Designer, bolstered by the support of a talented team, is an asset that I will carry forward to benefit my next team and the products I work on.

Beyond the confines of the Engagement space, I took on diverse responsibilities—creating design specs for live experiences that needed updates, facilitating seamless collaboration between teams, and organizing requests for our internal illustration team. As I departed, the head of the department shared encouraging words, underscoring the positive impact of my contributions.