Visual Studio for Mac 17

After years of dreaming about the future of Xamarin Studio and then Visual Studio for Mac, I directed the redesign, and created a new, modern application style.

Visual Studio for Mac 17

After years of dreaming about the future of Xamarin Studio and then Visual Studio for Mac, I directed the redesign, and created a new, modern application style.

Visual Studio for Mac 17

After years of dreaming about the future of Xamarin Studio and then Visual Studio for Mac, I directed the redesign, and created a new, modern application style.

Screenshot of Visual Studio for Mac 17 interface when running in the dark theme, displaying C# code for ASP.NET Core application startup configuration, File Explorer on the left, and Properties Panel on the right.

Visual Studio for Mac 17 when running in the dark theme, displaying C# code for ASP.NET Core application startup configuration, File Explorer on the left, and Properties Panel on the right.

Screenshot of Visual Studio for Mac 17 interface when running in the dark theme, displaying C# code for ASP.NET Core application startup configuration, File Explorer on the left, and Properties Panel on the right.

Visual Studio for Mac 17 when running in the dark theme, displaying C# code for ASP.NET Core application startup configuration, File Explorer on the left, and Properties Panel on the right.

Screenshot of Visual Studio for Mac 17 interface when running in the dark theme, displaying C# code for ASP.NET Core application startup configuration, File Explorer on the left, and Properties Panel on the right.

Visual Studio for Mac 17 when running in the dark theme, displaying C# code for ASP.NET Core application startup configuration, File Explorer on the left, and Properties Panel on the right.

Client:

Microsoft

Client:

Microsoft

Client:

Microsoft

Year:

2021

Year:

2021

Year:

2021

Roles:

User Interface Design, Icon Design

Roles:

User Interface Design, Icon Design

Roles:

User Interface Design, Icon Design

Team:

Visual Studio for Mac

Team:

Visual Studio for Mac

Team:

Visual Studio for Mac

Conclusion

Before leaving Microsoft in 2021, I spearheaded the transformative redesign of Visual Studio for Mac 17. Having designed Xamarin Studio since 2013, I utilized my cumulative experiences and learnings, especially from the High–Density Fluent project, to create a modern, efficient, and enduring IDE design.

Conclusion

Before leaving Microsoft in 2021, I spearheaded the transformative redesign of Visual Studio for Mac 17. Having designed Xamarin Studio since 2013, I utilized my cumulative experiences and learnings, especially from the High–Density Fluent project, to create a modern, efficient, and enduring IDE design.

Conclusion

Before leaving Microsoft in 2021, I spearheaded the transformative redesign of Visual Studio for Mac 17. Having designed Xamarin Studio since 2013, I utilized my cumulative experiences and learnings, especially from the High–Density Fluent project, to create a modern, efficient, and enduring IDE design.

Context and background

Visual Studio for Mac, previously known as Xamarin Studio, is a comprehensive, integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for Mac users. It enables developers to create mobile and web applications using Xamarin. This platform allows C# and .NET developers to build native mobile applications for various platforms. The evolution of Xamarin Studio into Visual Studio for Mac marked a significant shift, not just in name but in its design philosophy and functionality.

Key development phases

Collaborative Design Approach: In redesigning Visual Studio for Mac 17, I worked closely with Hylke Bons and a dedicated team of engineers. Our cohesive teamwork and Hylke’s support as a co-designer were instrumental in the project’s success.

Incorporating High–Density Fluent Learnings: The High–Density Fluent project, which focused on integrating Fluent Design System into developer applications, provided valuable insights. This experience was crucial in informing the redesign approach for Visual Studio for Mac 17.

Design Execution and Details: The redesign process included the creation of wireframes and redlines, ensuring that every aspect of the IDE was meticulously planned and executed for optimal functionality and aesthetics.

Impact and legacy

The redesign of Visual Studio for Mac 17, under my direction, not only modernized the application but also set a foundational design that the team continued to build upon after my departure. This design has become the basis for the IDE’s evolution, demonstrating the lasting impact of a well-executed redesign in shaping software development tools for years to come.

Context and background

Visual Studio for Mac, previously known as Xamarin Studio, is a comprehensive, integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for Mac users. It enables developers to create mobile and web applications using Xamarin. This platform allows C# and .NET developers to build native mobile applications for various platforms. The evolution of Xamarin Studio into Visual Studio for Mac marked a significant shift, not just in name but in its design philosophy and functionality.

Key development phases

Collaborative Design Approach: In redesigning Visual Studio for Mac 17, I worked closely with Hylke Bons and a dedicated team of engineers. Our cohesive teamwork and Hylke’s support as a co-designer were instrumental in the project’s success.

Incorporating High–Density Fluent Learnings: The High–Density Fluent project, which focused on integrating Fluent Design System into developer applications, provided valuable insights. This experience was crucial in informing the redesign approach for Visual Studio for Mac 17.

Design Execution and Details: The redesign process included the creation of wireframes and redlines, ensuring that every aspect of the IDE was meticulously planned and executed for optimal functionality and aesthetics.

Impact and legacy

The redesign of Visual Studio for Mac 17, under my direction, not only modernized the application but also set a foundational design that the team continued to build upon after my departure. This design has become the basis for the IDE’s evolution, demonstrating the lasting impact of a well-executed redesign in shaping software development tools for years to come.

Context and background

Visual Studio for Mac, previously known as Xamarin Studio, is a comprehensive, integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for Mac users. It enables developers to create mobile and web applications using Xamarin. This platform allows C# and .NET developers to build native mobile applications for various platforms. The evolution of Xamarin Studio into Visual Studio for Mac marked a significant shift, not just in name but in its design philosophy and functionality.

Key development phases

Collaborative Design Approach: In redesigning Visual Studio for Mac 17, I worked closely with Hylke Bons and a dedicated team of engineers. Our cohesive teamwork and Hylke’s support as a co-designer were instrumental in the project’s success.

Incorporating High–Density Fluent Learnings: The High–Density Fluent project, which focused on integrating Fluent Design System into developer applications, provided valuable insights. This experience was crucial in informing the redesign approach for Visual Studio for Mac 17.

Design Execution and Details: The redesign process included the creation of wireframes and redlines, ensuring that every aspect of the IDE was meticulously planned and executed for optimal functionality and aesthetics.

Impact and legacy

The redesign of Visual Studio for Mac 17, under my direction, not only modernized the application but also set a foundational design that the team continued to build upon after my departure. This design has become the basis for the IDE’s evolution, demonstrating the lasting impact of a well-executed redesign in shaping software development tools for years to come.

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the light theme

Light theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the dark theme

Dark theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the light theme

Light theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the dark theme

Dark theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the light theme

Light theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the dark theme

Dark theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast light theme

High contrast light theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast dark theme

High contrast dark theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast light theme

High contrast light theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast dark theme

High contrast dark theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast light theme

High contrast light theme

A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast dark theme

High contrast dark theme

Screenshot of a Solution Explorer, showing a redline markup for spacing and alignment, with detailed annotations for properties such as indentation levels and gap measurements.

Solution Explorer, showing a redline markup for spacing and alignment, with detailed annotations for properties such as indentation levels and gap measurements.

Screenshot of a Solution Explorer, showing a redline markup for spacing and alignment, with detailed annotations for properties such as indentation levels and gap measurements.

Solution Explorer, showing a redline markup for spacing and alignment, with detailed annotations for properties such as indentation levels and gap measurements.

Screenshot of a Solution Explorer, showing a redline markup for spacing and alignment, with detailed annotations for properties such as indentation levels and gap measurements.

Solution Explorer, showing a redline markup for spacing and alignment, with detailed annotations for properties such as indentation levels and gap measurements.

Screenshot of Visual Studio for Mac 17 interface when running in the dark theme with vertical tabs, Code Editor displaying C# code, and a notification about trial license expiration at the top.

Visual Studio for Mac 17 when running in the dark theme with vertical tabs, Code Editor displaying C# code, and a notification about trial license expiration at the top.

Screenshot of Visual Studio for Mac 17 interface when running in the dark theme with vertical tabs, Code Editor displaying C# code, and a notification about trial license expiration at the top.

Visual Studio for Mac 17 when running in the dark theme with vertical tabs, Code Editor displaying C# code, and a notification about trial license expiration at the top.

Screenshot of Visual Studio for Mac 17 interface when running in the dark theme with vertical tabs, Code Editor displaying C# code, and a notification about trial license expiration at the top.

Visual Studio for Mac 17 when running in the dark theme with vertical tabs, Code Editor displaying C# code, and a notification about trial license expiration at the top.

Collaborators and consultants

Collaborators and consultants

Collaborators and consultants

Hylke Bons

Senior Designer

Hylke Bons

Senior Designer

Hylke Bons

Senior Designer

Vsevolod Kukol

Principal Software Engineer Manager

Vsevolod Kukol

Principal Software Engineer Manager

Vsevolod Kukol

Principal Software Engineer Manager

Iain Holmes

Senior Software Engineer

Iain Holmes

Senior Software Engineer

Iain Holmes

Senior Software Engineer

Thank you for reading

Thank you for reading

Thank you for reading