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.
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.
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.
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
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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
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the dark theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the light theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the dark theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the light theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the dark theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast light theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast dark theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast light theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast dark theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the high contrast light theme
A screenshot showing Visual Studio for Mac 17 in the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Collaborators and consultants
Collaborators and consultants
Collaborators and consultants
Hylke Bons
Hylke Bons
Hylke Bons
Vsevolod Kukol
Vsevolod Kukol
Vsevolod Kukol
Iain Holmes
Iain Holmes
Iain Holmes
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading