I started with my functionality idea and working "backwards" through ID's design process, design research identified the use case and UI for my startup's MVP. Consultancies use many cloud storage solutions due to varying client needs. Each storage solution has unique procedures that require superfluous time and effort. An easily accessible, aggregated toolbar of cloud storage solutions with one standardized workflow would help consultants "work smarter, not harder."

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reframe: 

1. drag and drop functionality led to

2. sharing between close friends and family, but critiques pivoted to

3. b2b cloud storage solution which led to 

4. aggregator of, and shortcut to, many cloud storage solutions 

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design process highlights 

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secondary research for MVP use case: 

1. broadly surveyed high tech industries and their popular cloud storage solutions

2. Testing Qwork's prototypes indicated an increased efficiency relative to existing solutions 

3. key clients: professional services with frequent sharing that would maximize time saved per share: digital and real estate developers, architects, designers, lawyers 

4. abstracted back up to "consultants" to maximize user base and concise communication 

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User interviews 

• realized new problem of remembering and navigating multiple storage solutions 

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co-designed:

• with users and identified the shared folder as their prominent existing mental model. Subsequently redesigned UI to emphasize folders instead of recipients. ​

• with software engineer to strategically compete with low-cost high volume competitors. We determined that aggregation and UI standardization are key differentiators and abandoned actually storing files. 

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