Customize your gaming set-up to your needs - Empowering accessibility gaming
Microsoft
2023
Accessible gaming
Customize your gaming set-up to your needs - Empowering accessibility gaming
Microsoft
2023
Accessible gaming
Customize your gaming set-up to your needs - Empowering accessibility gaming
Microsoft
2023
Accessible gaming
What I did
Co-Lead Product design, Researcher, Packaging designer and Video editor
During the initial sprint (1 week), I was co-leading the design for the scalable platform system, and storytelling decks and assets. This was a close collaboration with engineering and PM counterparts as part of a Hackahton. The concept continued a year later into a new round, where I worked closely with my design partner Luca Toscano to design a scalable platform. This project got picked up shortly after by the XBox team - during this time, I helped prep assets for the team so they could continue the work. In the end, the final product they added to their product offer had only minor design changes from our original work.
What I did
Co-Lead Product design, Researcher, Packaging designer and Video editor
During the initial sprint (1 week), I was co-leading the design for the scalable platform system, and storytelling decks and assets. This was a close collaboration with engineering and PM counterparts as part of a Hackahton. The concept continued a year later into a new round, where I worked closely with my design partner Luca Toscano to design a scalable platform. This project got picked up shortly after by the XBox team - during this time, I helped prep assets for the team so they could continue the work. In the end, the final product they added to their product offer had only minor design changes from our original work.
What I did
Co-Lead Product design, Researcher, Packaging designer and Video editor
During the initial sprint (1 week), I was co-leading the design for the scalable platform system, and storytelling decks and assets. This was a close collaboration with engineering and PM counterparts as part of a Hackahton. The concept continued a year later into a new round, where I worked closely with my design partner Luca Toscano to design a scalable platform. This project got picked up shortly after by the XBox team - during this time, I helped prep assets for the team so they could continue the work. In the end, the final product they added to their product offer had only minor design changes from our original work.
Team
My design partner Luca Toscano, Product managers, Software engineers, Industrial Designers
Challenge
Make gaming more accessible with cheaper alternatives.
Outcome
Scalable web platform to customize gaming peripherals.
Team
My design partner Luca Toscano, Product managers, Software engineers, Industrial Designers
Challenge
Make gaming more accessible with cheaper alternatives.
Outcome
Scalable web platform to customize gaming peripherals.
Team
My design partner Luca Toscano, Product managers, Software engineers, Industrial Designers
Challenge
Make gaming more accessible with cheaper alternatives.
Outcome
Scalable web platform to customize gaming peripherals.
[Hypothesis]
By giving users easy access to customize joystick toppers to their needs for a fair price, we empower and support accessible gaming.
Outcome
One size fits one
A new studio that allows users to configure any 3D model designed for a Microsoft product. The tool generic enough to support everything from the Xbox Adaptive Controller and Design Studio, to the upcoming Microsoft Adaptive Accessories. Users can select the product they wish to configure; choose from the one of the models designed by Microsoft Product Designers; configure the model to be perfect to them; and then get a STL file that they can 3D print at home or send to a local printer.
One size fits one
A new studio that allows users to configure any 3D model designed for a Microsoft product. The tool generic enough to support everything from the Xbox Adaptive Controller and Design Studio, to the upcoming Microsoft Adaptive Accessories. Users can select the product they wish to configure; choose from the one of the models designed by Microsoft Product Designers; configure the model to be perfect to them; and then get a STL file that they can 3D print at home or send to a local printer.
Print 3D peripheral toppers yourself
The tool is designed with performance at the forefront. A custom-built ingestion engine, takes a OpenSCAD 3D model, parses out all parametrization possible and pre-renders all the possible permutations of the model. This means that the end user sees the updated model instantly when the change the configuration, and that users with lower powered machines will still have a wonderful experience.
Print 3D peripheral toppers yourself
The tool is designed with performance at the forefront. A custom-built ingestion engine, takes a OpenSCAD 3D model, parses out all parametrization possible and pre-renders all the possible permutations of the model. This means that the end user sees the updated model instantly when the change the configuration, and that users with lower powered machines will still have a wonderful experience.
1
Allowing users to take control
Let's be honest - the ones who are living with the physical disabilities know best what exactly they need for accessible gaming. With this configurator, we allow users to take control and create their ideal peripheral topper, that is customized specifically for them.
2
Endless configurations in Hosts
We've designed this platform as a neutral experience - meaning, this can be scaled to other experiences aside from peripheral toppers. The UX is applicable to multiple other scenarios and can be used by different applications and teams. Our first internal "client" is Xbox.
3
Real time preview
The user has the ability to see the configurations they are doing to the peripheral in real time, giving them a better understanding for what they are creating and if it fits their needs.
Flexible design language & branding
We designed Adaptive studio with the intention, that the application can be used in different contexts and adapts to the branding of the context it is in. Therefore, the default is a very generic color scheme with a neutral typeface (Segoe UI).
Flexible design language & branding
We designed Adaptive studio with the intention, that the application can be used in different contexts and adapts to the branding of the context it is in. Therefore, the default is a very generic color scheme with a neutral typeface (Segoe UI).
Now at Xbox
Microsoft's first 1P configurator - now part of the XBox experience
It started as a hackathon project, but we were lucky enough that the project was picked up by the Xbox team and used in their environment with only slight adjustments. 3D Printable Files for Adaptive Thumbstick Toppers, Now Available Through Xbox Design Lab
Microsoft's first 1P configurator - now part of the XBox experience
It started as a hackathon project, but we were lucky enough that the project was picked up by the Xbox team and used in their environment with only slight adjustments. 3D Printable Files for Adaptive Thumbstick Toppers, Now Available Through Xbox Design Lab
Process
Starting with field research
We tackled this problem by getting a better understanding of the challenges our users are facing. We had the opportunity to chat to with them and learn from the source. After some additional desk research we went right into the typical design iteration process, where we contiuously gathered feedback while we created concepts.
Starting with field research
We tackled this problem by getting a better understanding of the challenges our users are facing. We had the opportunity to chat to with them and learn from the source. After some additional desk research we went right into the typical design iteration process, where we contiuously gathered feedback while we created concepts.
Expensive, 3P setups
One Goal: Afforadable, accessible gaming
We wanted to create a system with a digital platform at its core, so users had easy access and could create their custom peripherals for their gaming needs. It had to be affordable, intuitive and scalable to more Microsoft services and products.
One Goal: Afforadable, accessible gaming
We wanted to create a system with a digital platform at its core, so users had easy access and could create their custom peripherals for their gaming needs. It had to be affordable, intuitive and scalable to more Microsoft services and products.
Flow diagram and wireframeing
Together with my design partner, we mapped out the different experience flows and possible connections for users to get their peripherals via 3d printing services if they don't have a printer at home.
Flow diagram and wireframeing
Together with my design partner, we mapped out the different experience flows and possible connections for users to get their peripherals via 3d printing services if they don't have a printer at home.
From wireframes to mid-fidelity
After getting the initial idea down on paper, we started mapping out designs to explore the visuals. Right from the start, I wanted to make it a scalable platform that could be integrated by different teams at the company and used for various purposes.
From wireframes to mid-fidelity
After getting the initial idea down on paper, we started mapping out designs to explore the visuals. Right from the start, I wanted to make it a scalable platform that could be integrated by different teams at the company and used for various purposes.
A new customization tool
We did it! We created the design for a generic platform where users could intuitively adjust the shapes and diameters of their peripherals to match their exact needs. The overall look was as neutral as possible and allows the possibility for other app experiences to adopt this service as well.
A new customization tool
We did it! We created the design for a generic platform where users could intuitively adjust the shapes and diameters of their peripherals to match their exact needs. The overall look was as neutral as possible and allows the possibility for other app experiences to adopt this service as well.
SUSANNE DUSWALD
©
All rights reserved. 2025
SUSANNE DUSWALD
©
All rights reserved. 2025
SUSANNE DUSWALD
©
All rights reserved. 2025