Mobile leadership & unified design at Splunk

Mobile leadership & unified design at Splunk

Mobile leadership & unified design at Splunk

2018-2019 · Launched · Web · iOS · Android

2018-2019 · Launched · Web · iOS · Android

2018-2019 · Launched · Web · iOS · Android

Mobile leadership & unified design at Splunk

2018-2019 · Launched · Web · iOS · Android

As lead designer at Splunk, a real-time machine data analytics platform, I led the launch of its first mobile and Augmented Reality (AR) apps—achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings, attracting clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ headcount with CTO support. By pushing to address critical architectural issues, creating a cohesive design system, and mentoring the team, I unified products, elevated quality, and accelerated development, leading to high user satisfaction and 60% design system adoption.

As lead designer at Splunk, a real-time machine data analytics platform, I led the launch of its first mobile and Augmented Reality (AR) apps—achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings, attracting clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ headcount with CTO support. By pushing to address critical architectural issues, creating a cohesive design system, and mentoring the team, I unified products, elevated quality, and accelerated development, leading to high user satisfaction and 60% design system adoption.

As lead designer at Splunk, a real-time machine data analytics platform, I led the launch of its first mobile and Augmented Reality (AR) apps—achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings, attracting clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ headcount with CTO support. By pushing to address critical architectural issues, creating a cohesive design system, and mentoring the team, I unified products, elevated quality, and accelerated development, leading to high user satisfaction and 60% design system adoption.

As lead designer at Splunk, a real-time machine data analytics platform, I led the launch of its first mobile and Augmented Reality (AR) apps—achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings, attracting clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ headcount with CTO support. By pushing to address critical architectural issues, creating a cohesive design system, and mentoring the team, I unified products, elevated quality, and accelerated development with 60% design system adoption.

Splunk augmented reality mobile app launched 2019

Splunk augmented reality mobile app launched 2019

Splunk augmented reality mobile app launched 2019

Splunk augmented reality mobile app launched 2019

Splunk augmented reality mobile app launched 2019

Launching Splunk’s first mobile and AR apps

Launching Splunk’s first mobile and AR apps

Launching Splunk’s first mobile and AR apps

Launching Splunk’s first mobile and AR apps

By pushing to prioritize high-impact projects, I led the launch of Splunk's first mobile and AR apps, achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings within six months, attracting major clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ designers with CTO support. Despite significant challenges, I enabled my team to quickly launch high-quality, user-focused mobile experiences.

By pushing to prioritize high-impact projects, I led the launch of Splunk's first mobile and AR apps, achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings within six months, attracting major clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ designers with CTO support. Despite significant challenges, I enabled my team to quickly launch high-quality, user-focused mobile experiences.

By pushing to prioritize high-impact projects, I led the launch of Splunk's first mobile and AR apps, achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings within six months, attracting major clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ designers with CTO support. Despite significant challenges, I enabled my team to quickly launch high-quality, user-focused mobile experiences.

Launching mobile and AR apps

By pushing to prioritize high-impact projects, I led the launch of Splunk's first mobile and AR apps, achieving 4.9 and 5-star ratings within six months, attracting major clients such as Porsche, and adding 8+ designers with CTO support. Despite significant challenges, I enabled my team to quickly launch high-quality, user-focused mobile experiences.

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Establishing AR & mobile design standards

Establishing AR & mobile design standards

Establishing AR & mobile design standards

AR & mobile design standards

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

Without a focus on prioritizing critical projects, lack of experience and standards in mobile and AR design slowed development and impacted product quality as the team established working processes.

Without a focus on prioritizing critical projects, lack of experience and standards in mobile and AR design slowed development and impacted product quality as the team established working processes.

Without a focus on prioritizing critical projects, lack of experience and standards in mobile and AR design slowed development and impacted product quality as the team established working processes.

Without a focus on prioritizing projects, lack of experience and standards in mobile and AR design slowed development and impacted product quality as the team established working processes.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Pushed to prioritize establishing mobile and AR design standards, developing a unified design language and component library across mobile platforms. This enabled cohesive, high-quality development and accelerated timelines.

Pushed to prioritize establishing mobile and AR design standards, developing a unified design language and component library across mobile platforms. This enabled cohesive, high-quality development and accelerated timelines.

Pushed to prioritize establishing mobile and AR design standards, developing a unified design language and component library across mobile platforms. This enabled cohesive, high-quality development and accelerated timelines.

Pushed to prioritize establishing mobile and AR design standards, developing a unified design language and component library across mobile platforms. This enabled cohesive, high-quality development and accelerated timelines.

Problematic AR app loader

Problematic AR app loader

Problematic AR app loader

Problem: AR loader

Refined AR app loader

Refined AR app loader

Refined AR app loader

Solution: Refined loader

Problematic UI feels unfinished

Problematic UI feels unfinished

Problematic UI feels unfinished

Unfinished mobile app

Refined Splunk mobile app

Refined Splunk mobile app

Refined Splunk mobile app

Refined mobile app

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Principled decision-making

Principled decision-making

Principled decision-making

Principled decision-making

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

Clunky animations and oversized icons made the app feel unrefined, confusing users and eroding trust—critical for clients with sensitive data. Worse, the team had no product usage data to drive decisions.

Clunky animations and oversized icons made the app feel unrefined, confusing users and eroding trust—critical for clients with sensitive data. Worse, the team had no product usage data to drive decisions.

Clunky animations and oversized icons made the app feel unrefined, confusing users and eroding trust—critical for clients with sensitive data. Worse, the team had no product usage data to drive decisions.

Clunky animations and oversized icons made the app feel unrefined, confusing users and eroding trust—critical for clients with sensitive data. Worse, the team had no product usage data to drive decisions.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Established a decision framework based on heuristics, partnering with motion designers to ensure animations and visuals convey clear intent, enhancing usability and user confidence.

Established a decision framework based on heuristics, partnering with motion designers to ensure animations and visuals convey clear intent, enhancing usability and user confidence.

Established a decision framework based on heuristics, partnering with motion designers to ensure animations and visuals convey clear intent, enhancing usability and user confidence.

Established a decision framework based on heuristics, partnering with motion designers to ensure animations and visuals convey clear intent, enhancing usability and user confidence.

Problematic AR cards

Problematic AR cards

Problematic AR cards

Problematic AR cards

Refined AR cards

Refined AR cards

Refined AR cards

Refined AR cards

Problematic slot machine-like animation during registration

Problematic slot machine-like animation during registration

Problematic slot machine-like animation during registration

Unintentional motion

Streamlined animation reflecting linear registration code

Streamlined animation reflecting linear registration code

Streamlined animation reflecting linear registration code

Motion conveys intent

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Mobile-optimized space usage

Mobile-optimized space usage

Mobile-optimized space usage

Mobile-optimized space usage

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

Inefficient space usage minimized the user's data, making the most critical information hard to find and read.

Inefficient space usage minimized the user's data, making the most critical information hard to find and read.

Inefficient space usage minimized the user's data, making the most critical information hard to find and read.

Inefficient space usage minimized the user's data, making the most critical information hard to find and read.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Optimized mobile screen space by prioritizing the user's data, enabling readability, focus, and navigation.

Optimized mobile screen space by prioritizing the user's data, enabling readability, focus, and navigation.

Optimized mobile screen space by prioritizing the user's data, enabling readability, focus, and navigation.

Optimized mobile screen space by prioritizing the user's data, enabling readability, focus, and navigation.

Problem with illegible data

Problem with illegible data

Problem with illegible data

Problem: Hidden, illegible data

Solution with clear, larger visualization

Solution with clear, larger visualization

Solution with clear, larger visualization

Solution: Legible, prominent data

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Prioritizing high-impact projects

Prioritizing high-impact projects

Prioritizing high-impact projects

Prioritizing high-impact projects

Problem

Problem
Problem

The team was overcommitted to shipping 6+ mobile apps (including Splunk TV, Splunk watch app) in 1-2 months, risking delays and compromised quality due to lack of prioritization.

The team was overcommitted to shipping 6+ mobile apps (including Splunk TV, Splunk watch app) in 1-2 months, risking delays and compromised quality due to lack of prioritization.

The team was overcommitted to shipping 6+ mobile apps (including Splunk TV, Splunk watch app) in 1-2 months, risking delays and compromised quality due to lack of prioritization.

Problem

The team was overcommitted to shipping 6+ mobile apps (including Splunk TV, Splunk watch app) in 1-2 months, risking delays and compromised quality due to lack of prioritization.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Utilized a rational decision-making framework to prioritize high-impact projects (Splunk Mobile and AR apps), focusing efforts on products with the most beta testers and strategic significance.

Utilized a rational decision-making framework to prioritize high-impact projects (Splunk Mobile and AR apps), focusing efforts on products with the most beta testers and strategic significance.

Utilized a rational decision-making framework to prioritize high-impact projects (Splunk Mobile and AR apps), focusing efforts on products with the most beta testers and strategic significance.

Utilized a rational decision-making framework to prioritize high-impact projects (Splunk Mobile and AR apps), focusing efforts on products with the most beta testers and strategic significance.

Unifying products with a cohesive design system

Unifying products with a cohesive design system

Unifying products with a cohesive design system

Unifying products with a cohesive design system

By pushing to prioritize critical architectural and design issues, I created Splunk’s design system from scratch, unifying disparate products across all platforms, elevating product quality, and accelerating development. Achieved ~60% adoption across Splunk products at launch.

By pushing to prioritize critical architectural and design issues, I created Splunk’s design system from scratch, unifying disparate products across all platforms, elevating product quality, and accelerating development. Achieved ~60% adoption across Splunk products at launch.

By pushing to prioritize critical architectural and design issues, I created Splunk’s design system from scratch, unifying disparate products across all platforms, elevating product quality, and accelerating development. Achieved ~60% adoption across Splunk products at launch.

By pushing to prioritize critical architectural and design issues, I created Splunk’s design system from scratch, unifying disparate products across all platforms, elevating product quality, and accelerating development. Achieved ~60% adoption across Splunk products at launch.

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Simplifying complex architecture

Simplifying complex architecture

Simplifying complex architecture

Simplifying complex architecture

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

Without prioritizing architecture and navigation, complex multi-level flows with redundant navigation cluttered screens, causing user confusion. Designers lacked guidance on effective hierarchy.

Without prioritizing architecture and navigation, complex multi-level flows with redundant navigation cluttered screens, causing user confusion. Designers lacked guidance on effective hierarchy.

Without prioritizing architecture and navigation, complex multi-level flows with redundant navigation cluttered screens, causing user confusion. Designers lacked guidance on effective hierarchy.

Without prioritizing architecture and navigation, complex multi-level flows with redundant navigation cluttered screens, causing user confusion. Designers lacked guidance on effective hierarchy.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Pushed for prioritizing a clear, robust architecture, educated the team on intuitive hierarchy, using contextual app bars and reducing unnecessary depth, ensuring clarity and simplicity in complex flows.

Pushed for prioritizing a clear, robust architecture, educated the team on intuitive hierarchy, using contextual app bars and reducing unnecessary depth, ensuring clarity and simplicity in complex flows.

Pushed for prioritizing a clear, robust architecture, educated the team on intuitive hierarchy, using contextual app bars and reducing unnecessary depth, ensuring clarity and simplicity in complex flows.

Pushed for prioritizing a clear, robust architecture, educated the team on intuitive hierarchy, using contextual app bars and reducing unnecessary depth, ensuring clarity and simplicity in complex flows.

Problem: Complex, nested, unintentional navigation and architecture.

Problem: Complex, nested, unintentional navigation and architecture.

Problem: Complex, nested, unintentional navigation and architecture.

Solution: Using containers appropriate for hierarchy & information complexity.

Solution: Using containers appropriate for hierarchy & information complexity.

Solution: Using containers appropriate for hierarchy & information complexity.

Problem: Complex, nested, unintentional navigation and architecture.

Solution: Using containers appropriate for hierarchy & information complexity.

One of my sketches to convey architecture and key flows to teams

One of my sketches to convey architecture and key flows to teams

One of my sketches to convey architecture and key flows to teams

One of my sketches to convey architecture and key flows to teams

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Establishing a unified design language

Establishing a unified design language

Establishing a unified design language

Establishing a unified design language

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

Inconsistent design across Splunk products led to user confusion and eroded trust. No standardized visual language or intention behind historical design choices.

Inconsistent design across Splunk products led to user confusion and eroded trust. No standardized visual language or intention behind historical design choices.

Inconsistent design across Splunk products led to user confusion and eroded trust. No standardized visual language or intention behind historical design choices.

Inconsistent design across Splunk products led to user confusion and eroded trust. No standardized visual language or intention behind historical design choices.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Led creation of Splunk's design system, unified color, iconography, and components across products, establishing a cohesive and refined design language.

Led creation of Splunk's design system, unified color, iconography, and components across products, establishing a cohesive and refined design language.

Led creation of Splunk's design system, unified color, iconography, and components across products, establishing a cohesive and refined design language.

Led creation of Splunk's design system, unified color, iconography, and components across products, establishing a cohesive and refined design language.

Before design system

Before design system

Before design system

Before design system

Before design system

Before: Data ingestion

Before: Data ingestion

Before: Data ingestion

Before: Data ingestion

Before: Data stream processor

Before: Data stream processor

Before: Data stream processor

Before: Data stream processor

Splunk design system

Splunk design system

Splunk design system

Splunk design system

I led the creation of the Splunk design system from scratch while leading a small team of 3 junior designers new to this work.

I led the creation of the Splunk design system from scratch while leading a small team of 3 junior designers new to this work.

I led the creation of the Splunk design system from scratch while leading a small team of 3 junior designers new to this work.

I led the creation of the Splunk design system from scratch while leading a small team of 3 junior designers new to this work.

Simplified utilitarian modern iconography

Simplified utilitarian modern iconography

Simplified utilitarian modern iconography

Simplified utilitarian modern iconography

Data stream processor product after using design system components

Data stream processor product after using design system components

Data stream processor product after using design system components

Data stream processor product after using design system components

Splunk enterprise product using design system components

Splunk enterprise product using design system components

Splunk enterprise product using design system components

Splunk enterprise product using design system components

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Centralized design system documentation

Centralized design system documentation

Centralized design system documentation

Centralized documentation

Problem

Problem
Problem

Demand for design system guidance across designers and engineers exceeded our team’s capacity.

Demand for design system guidance across designers and engineers exceeded our team’s capacity.

Demand for design system guidance across designers and engineers exceeded our team’s capacity.

Demand for design system guidance across designers and engineers exceeded our team’s capacity.

Solution

Solution
Solution

Built a centralized repository with components, usage guidance, and code snippets, enabling adoption for all teams.

Built a centralized repository with components, usage guidance, and code snippets, enabling adoption for all teams.

Built a centralized repository with components, usage guidance, and code snippets, enabling adoption for all teams.

Built a centralized repository with components, usage guidance, and code snippets, enabling adoption for all teams.

Centralized design system documentation WIP

Centralized design system documentation WIP

Centralized design system documentation WIP

Centralized design system documentation WIP

Elevating quality with strategic decision-making and mentorship

Elevating quality with strategic decision-making and mentorship

Elevating quality with strategic decision-making and mentorship

Elevating quality with strategic decision-making and mentorship

Elevating quality with strategic decision-making and mentorship

Implemented a structured product launch process and developed a framework for rational product decisions, enabling the team to prioritize high-impact projects and features. Mentored junior designers to overcome skill gaps, fostering collaboration and improving product quality across mission-critical products.

Implemented a structured product launch process and developed a framework for rational product decisions, enabling the team to prioritize high-impact projects and features. Mentored junior designers to overcome skill gaps, fostering collaboration and improving product quality across mission-critical products.

Implemented a structured product launch process and developed a framework for rational product decisions, enabling the team to prioritize high-impact projects and features. Mentored junior designers to overcome skill gaps, fostering collaboration and improving product quality across mission-critical products.

Implemented a structured product launch process and developed a framework for rational product decisions, enabling the team to prioritize high-impact projects and features. Mentored junior designers to overcome skill gaps, fostering collaboration and improving product quality across mission-critical products.

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Implementing a rational decision-making framework

Implementing a rational decision-making framework

Implementing a rational decision-making framework

Implementing a rational decision-making framework

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

Due to the absence of prioritized decision-making, the inexperienced team overcommitted to 6+ mobile apps, causing delays, inefficiency, and compromised product quality.

With the absence of prioritized decision-making, the inexperienced team overcommitted to 6+ mobile apps, causing delays and compromised product quality.

Due to the absence of prioritized decision-making, the inexperienced team overcommitted to 6+ mobile apps, causing delays, inefficiency, and compromised product quality.

Due to the absence of prioritized decision-making, the inexperienced team overcommitted to 6+ mobile apps, causing delays, inefficiency, and compromised product quality.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Developed a rational decision-making framework and structured launch process, prioritizing high-impact projects, improving efficiency and product quality.

Developed a rational decision-making framework and structured launch process, prioritizing high-impact projects, improving efficiency and product quality.

Developed a rational decision-making framework and structured launch process, prioritizing high-impact projects, improving efficiency and product quality.

Developed a rational decision-making framework and structured launch process, prioritizing high-impact projects, improving efficiency and product quality.

I established an agile, transparent product development & decision-making process.

I established an agile, transparent product development & decision-making process.

I established an agile, transparent product development & decision-making process.

My team driving product planning.

My team driving product planning.

My team driving product planning.

I established an agile, transparent product development & decision-making process.

My team driving product planning.

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Mentoring to bridge skill gaps

Mentoring to bridge skill gaps

Mentoring to bridge skill gaps

Mentoring to bridge skill gaps

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

A team of 3 junior designers lacked visual, UX, and mobile experience, struggling to unify and ship 3 mission-critical products, affecting overall product quality.

A team of 3 junior designers lacked visual, UX, and mobile experience, struggling to unify and ship 3 mission-critical products, affecting overall product quality.

A team of 3 junior designers lacked visual, UX, and mobile experience, struggling to unify and ship 3 mission-critical products, affecting overall product quality.

A team of 3 junior designers lacked visual, UX, and mobile experience, struggling to unify and ship 3 mission-critical products, affecting overall product quality.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Mentored and trained designers, enhancing visual, UX, and mobile skills, enabling successful launches and improving product quality and team capabilities.

Mentored and trained designers, enhancing visual, UX, and mobile skills, enabling successful launches and improving product quality and team capabilities.

Mentored and trained designers, enhancing visual, UX, and mobile skills, enabling successful launches and improving product quality and team capabilities.

Mentored and trained designers, enhancing visual, UX, and mobile skills, enabling successful launches and improving product quality and team capabilities.

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Fostering a collaborative culture

Fostering a collaborative culture

Fostering a collaborative culture

Fostering a collaborative culture

Problem

Problem
Problem
Problem

Designers worked in silos without critique or collaboration, handing off assets without ensuring implementation, leading to poor-quality products and lost customers.

Designers worked in silos without critique or collaboration, handing off assets without ensuring implementation, leading to poor-quality products and lost customers.

Designers worked in silos without critique or collaboration, handing off assets without ensuring implementation, leading to poor-quality products and lost customers.

Designers worked in silos without critique or collaboration, handing off assets without ensuring implementation, leading to poor-quality products and lost customers.

Solution

Solution
Solution
Solution

Fostered a collaborative culture, established design critiques, and ensured close designer-engineer collaboration, improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

Fostered a collaborative culture, established design critiques, and ensured close designer-engineer collaboration, improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

Fostered a collaborative culture, established design critiques, and ensured close designer-engineer collaboration, improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

Fostered a collaborative culture, established design critiques, and ensured close designer-engineer collaboration, improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

Copyright © Kimberly Song 2024. All rights reserved.

Copyright © Kimberly Song 2024. All rights reserved.

Copyright © Kimberly Song 2024. All rights reserved.

Copyright © Kimberly Song 2024. All rights reserved.

Copyright © Kimberly Song 2024