Integrating software with existing design systems

Case Study

Overview

API Fortress was a platform designed to streamline the process of API testing and monitoring for a wide range of clients. As a rapidly growing startup, the company needed a robust and intuitive user interface.
The platform’s success and the strategic design choices made during its development contributed to API Fortress’s acquisition by Sauce Labs. Post-acquisition, the challenge was to seamlessly integrate API Fortress into Sauce Labs’ existing design system, ensuring consistency and enhancing the overall user experience within a new, larger ecosystem.

My Contributions

In my role at API Fortress, I was responsible for designing the user interfaces that formed the backbone of the platform, ensuring an intuitive and seamless user experience. My work extended beyond the product itself, as I also led the development of the company’s brand identity, including the design of marketing materials, and the management of the website.
Following the acquisition by Sauce Labs, I took on the task of integrating API Fortress into their design system, working alongside Sauce Labs’ design team and UX researchers to maintain consistency and improve the user experience within the expanded product offering.

Approach

At API Fortress, our approach to product development was highly collaborative and iterative, driven by direct feedback from our customers and partners in the industry. Working closely with engineers, sales engineers, and the CEO, we focused on refining the product based on real-world use cases and feature requests. We maintained an ongoing dialogue with our users, which allowed us to adapt quickly to their needs and incorporate their input into our design process.
My primary focus was on enhancing usability and ensuring that the software was presented in a market-ready manner. To support this goal, I also took on the responsibility of designing marketing collateral and maintaining the company’s web presence, ensuring that our branding and messaging were aligned with the product's market positioning.

V1 Screen for API Fortress

Marketing Materials for API Fortress

Acquisition

Our work at API Fortress led to the acquisition by Sauce Labs in 2021. Following the acquisition, I played a key role in leading the integration of API Fortress into Sauce Labs' design system. Collaborating closely with UX researchers and the talented Sauce Labs team, we conducted heuristic audits and identified areas for improvement during the integration process.
My primary focus was on enhancing the user experience while seamlessly aligning our software’s UI with Sauce Labs' branding and design standards. This involved refining the interface to ensure a cohesive look and feel across both platforms, ultimately contributing to a more unified product.