Microsoft Creators

Telling the story of Microsoft product users and highlighting their passions

As part of the Stores Studio team, we highlight interesting people that use Microsoft products in their daily lives.  Storytelling is at the forefront of these designs, showcasing how these individuals create businesses, design buildings, and even create clothing lines. Each of these pieces have a unique story to tell, all revolving around the individual's craft and how Microsoft and its products helps them achieve greatness. 

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My Role

Creative Director, UX/UI Designer, Visual Designer, Content strategist

Timeline

3 months

Team

1 designer and myself, copywriter

Problem

The site needed stronger UX and storytelling on the Microsoft Creators.

Project Goals

To create a collection of storytelling pages that told the story of unique creators and their craft.

Process

Process involved reviewing interviews, reading transcripts, being involved in photoshoots, and creating a page template that could house content for a variety of creator types.

Storytelling

Within the available modules in Microsoft’s CMS, I incorporated editorial content that entices the user to learn more about the creators. Large quotes highlight the creator’s personality, and the editorial pieces allow the user to dive deeper into the story. 

HAYLEY ELSAESSER, creator

Hayley, one of our creators, transformed her passion for design into a clothing line and her own retail store in Canada. Her success story is told through videos, copywriting, and imagery.

Templates

Templates are the key to consistency. I created a flexible template that all Microsoft Creator stories used. Before I started this project, there were just images with accompanying text to tell the creator’s story. By incorporating an editorial section, the reader was able to connect more with the creator.

Imagery & Video Content

For each creator, a team would conduct a photoshoot and interview the creator to hear their story and learn about their craft. The creator would take them through their process and reveal their final products. Each creator had a unique story to tell, and I wanted to make sure we told it in a digestible way.

Eric Rivera

I was active on the photoshoot for Chef Eric Rivera, helping with the shot list and ensuring we were gathering images that told his story. I wanted to preserve the authenticity of his craft.

As the designer, I envisioned how the page should work. After meeting Eric and participating in the photoshoot, I collaborated with our copywriter to decide what to include in the story. The main focus of Eric’s story was the food he prepares for friends and family. Highlighting his wonderful dishes was a joy.