Microsoft × Figma

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Figma is a collaborative interface design tool and its creators are headquartered in San Francisco, California. ENNOstudio has long-standing, independent partnerships with both companies and we have now created another milestone in our collective histories with this three-way collaboration.

The Challenge

Empowering Solution Architects: Design Thinking Workshop with Microsoft and Figma

Our challenge in collaborating with Microsoft and Figma was to provide the solution architect team at Microsoft – who tackle the challenges of their B2B clients with low-code software – with initial hands-on tools that facilitate design thinking. The aim was to equip them so that they can create truly user-centric software solutions. We bought Figma on board by conducting the workshop with Microsoft on FigJam; intentionally utilizing the creativity tools and functionalities of the whiteboard.

Client

Microsoft & Figma

Services

Workshop Facilitation, Coaching

Date

2024

The Approach

Workshop Approach and Methodology

Our approach to the workshop was meticulously structured to ensure attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of design thinking. We began with an interactive onboarding session in FigJam; familiarizing participants with the tool’s creative functionalities. In order to make the concepts tangible we used a concrete use case: registering a dog for dog tax. We chose this example for its practical and emotional relevance, which generally makes the design thinking process more relatable and engaging. We balanced theoretical insights with interactive, hands-on activities throughout the workshop. Each phase of design thinking – Empathize, Define, Ideation, Prototyping and Testing – was covered in detail, which allowed participants to apply concepts in real-time.

Empathize Phase

Understanding the As-Is Process and User Needs

In the Empathize phase we engaged with a real user to understand their needs and experiences. Participants explored the current dog tax registration process and mapped it out to identify major pain points. This immersive approach allowed the solution architects to develop a deeper understanding of user challenges, which laid a solid foundation for creating more effective solutions.

Define Phase

Identifying Challenges to Solve Actual User Needs

In the Define phase we pinpointed specific user challenges. Participants then looked at the areas of Desirability, Feasibility and Viability to refine their focus. This critical step ensured that the team was aligned on the most pressing issues and prepared them for the subsequent Ideation and Prototyping phases.

Ideation and Prototyping Phase

Creating an Engaging Experience for New Dog Owners

In the Ideation and Prototyping phase, participants focused on brainstorming and developing initial prototypes to improve the dog tax registration process. They overhauled the existing flow, sketched ideas, and created first prototypes using FigJam’s interactive features. This collaborative effort allowed the team to iteratively refine their concepts, highlighting the importance of collaborative problem-solving.

Testing Phase

Refining Prototypes Through User Insights

In the Testing phase, the developed prototypes were evaluated based on user feedback and the “I Like, I Wish, I Wonder” framework. This structured method helped identify strengths and areas for improvement. The team carefully reviewed the feedback and iteratively adjusted the prototypes. This phase emphasized the importance of user-centered design and continuous improvement to develop more user-friendly solutions.

Colors

#003d84

#33649d

#ffdd00

#283543

#39a6a7

Font

Poppins

A Á B C D E É F G H I Í J K L M N O Ó Ö Ő P Q R S T U Ú Ü Ű V W X Y Z

a á b c d e é f g h i í j k l m n o ó ö ő p q r s t u ú ü ű v w x y z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

Light

Regular

Bold

The little prince went to see the roses again: "You are not at all like my rose, you are nothing yet", he said to them. No one has tamed you and you have tamed no one. You are like my fox was. It was only a fox like a hundred thousand others. But I have made him my friend, and he is now unique in the world."

“Our architects gained deep insights into hands-on design thinking through the workshop with ENNOstudio. They learned what it truly means to work in a user-centered manner and to consider user problems holistically. ENNOstudio provided many valuable ideas and strategies that are helpful for our daily work!”

Heino Romzykowski

Enterprise Architect – Microsoft Deutschland

Reinforcing Learnings

Workshop Recap, Main Learnings and Q&A

The final part of our workshop was a comprehensive recap during which we reviewed the key learnings and foundational principles of each design thinking phase. In the concluding Q&A session participants had the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical insights by tapping into our agency’s experience. This has, going forward, undoubtably helped them to apply design thinking in their daily roles as solution architects.

ENNOstudio in the workshop with Microsoft

Some of our work

Check out our portfolio.

Some of the memorable experiences that we already created together with our clients.

Vodafone

Information Architecture Product Design UX Audit UX/UI Design

VIW (the “Vodafone Immobilienwirtschaft”) required help to reduce the drop-off rate of various forms on their platform. We focussed on improving the KPI’s by making the process more user-friendly.

BARMER ePA

Customer Journey Design System Product Design UX/UI Design Video

We supported BARMER in introducing their electronic patient record (ePA) communication on their website, with a focus on accessibility, gamification, and simplicity. Our user-friendly approach clarified the core functions and benefits of the ePA, setting a new standard in healthcare communication and engagement.

ÖGK x ITSV

Design System

Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) is the largest social health insurance company in Austria. It offers protection to 7.6 million insured people in Austria – regardless of age or income. Our client, IT-Services der Sozialversicherung GmbH (ITSV GmbH), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Austrian Social Insurance Institutions. For almost 20 years, ITSV has been combining bundled social insurance expertise, efficiency and security and is at the heart of IT activities in the Austrian social insurance system.