Microsoft Start Local News

Project: Microsoft Start (formerly MSN) was in the process of reimagining their local news experience.

Design goals: Define “what is local” to target audience & determine what content design is required for a new local news section on Microsoft Start.

Tools used: Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator

Deliverables: Visual/UI designs, UI components, prototypes

Discovery

Participating in card sorting sessions defining local news, my eventual designs were influenced by this feedback.

3-Column Design framework

  • Left: Structured navigation system to move between content segments and locations.

  • Center: Single column content modules to accommodate lower density.

  • Right: Important temporary information understood at a glance.

UI design components

User Generated Content Modules: Communications & interactive polls from local businesses.

Content Suggestions Modules: Auto-content based on locale and prior user actions.

Social Media Modules: Embedded social media content, single & multiple content providers.

Visual/UI: entry points to new local hub

First entry: Preview cards @Windows start screen

Second entry: Preview modules @Microsoft Start homepage